Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1921-11-16
ROY GARDNER FAILS
IN ATTEMPTED HOLD
UP OF MAIL COACH
Phoenx, Ariz., Nov. l6.-The bandit captured
here last night at the Santa Fe station following an
attempt to rob mail car was identified today as
Roy Gardner, who re-
Gently escaped from the
federal prison at Nc

federal prison at Nc
Neil's Island. Gardner admitted his
identity, but when questioned about
his escape said. "a am not going TO
tell any more than | have to-"
Puts Gun Into Clerks Ribs.
The robber boarded the car ten
minutes before the train was due to
leave and it is the theory of police
that he intended to ride to a nearby
station where they believe he had ac-
completes waiting for him. Herman
lnderlied, Of Phoenix, clerk in charge
of the car said the first he knew OF
the robbers presence was when he
felt a gun pressed against his body
and turned around to find a masked
man holding revolver against him.
Inderleid who is feet inches and
weighs 215 pounds struck his assail-
ant took the gun away from him and
then sat on him while he waited for
officers to respond to his calls. AT
the Jail the bandit said he was r. p.
Nelson, OF Chicago.
Says Clerk Earned $4,000 Reward.
While lnderlied was holding his
prisoner the latter said:
"Well you've earned your $4,000 to-
night" referring to standing reward
offered clerks for The capture of mail
bandits. Inderliod who went out with
his car last night returned TO Phoenix
today to identity his prisoner formal
" AS he approached the prisoner
the latter said holding out his hand:
4You haven't got any hard feelings
have you?"
i've got a wife aud n child at
home" answered Intcricd $50 have
l." responded Gardner land if you
had had gun last night your wife
would have been widow today. |
never hurt an unarmed man, but next
time a gun is stuck against you, you
put up your hands-it might not be
Roy Gardner behind the gun"
Lived at Phoenix Hotel
Gardner said he lived here three
weeks staying at hotel ard driving
about the city in his auto lie blamed
failure of his attack on the fact that
Inderlied, white man, was in charge
of the car instead of negro mail
clerk, Gardner thought would be in
charge. He said he was confident the
negro would have ohcyed the com
mand to put uD his hands. He con
frmed the theory that he intended to
get the $4,000 he believed was to be
shipped to Los Angeles but denied
having any accOmplices.
Don't you know | always work
alone" he asked
He told officers he had watched the
registry window closely waiting to
see if anv valuable shipments were
being made Yesterday he heard Il
bank messenger mention u shipment
of $4,000 and he believed it would be
sent on train No 40 last nieht
officials say Gardner would have
found the negro mail clerk bad he
waited until tonight The negro was
scheduled to take over the run to-
night.
Escaped From Mcneil island.
Los Angeles, Cal, Nov 1G,~Bov
Gardner escaped from Mcneil Island
(Washinston) prison Sept s. 1921, BY
cutting his way through q b1rhed wire
fence during a prison baseball game
and running through the fields to
cover amid rain of shots from the
guard.
Two convicts. former soldiers at
Camp Lewis serving life terms, al>N
dashed for liberty with Gardner. One
was killed and the other wounded
Gardner committed two mail roll
berries in California and escaped from
his guards twice while being taken to
Mcneil Island.