Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1921-12-26
BANK ROBBIE R|ES
CAUSE KANsANS
TO TAKE ACTION
Seventy-Five Lindsborg Cit
liens, Armed and Trained,
Are Ready to Block ES-
cape of Bandits.
fBy The Associated Press.)


Topeka, Kans., Dec. 25.-Stirred
to action by the prevalence of bank
robberies in Kansas, Lindsborg cit
liens have formed an anti-robber
organization.
Seventy men, Systematically dis
tributed over the city, trained and
heavily armed, are ready upon sig
nal to block the escape of robbers.
Like the Minute Men of Colonial
days, they are ready to spring to
action in a moments notice. The
business men form an auxiliary.
Guns are in practically every BUSH
ness place with men pledged to use
them. ..
But let Phil e. Zimmerman, field
secretary for the Associated Indus
+ tries of Kansas, tell the story:
"At IL o'clock on the morning of
recent November day, three
Lindsborg men were discussing the
ever increasing number of bank
robberies and the ease with which
these pests make their getaway
after negotiating job. One of the
men said: What do you say, boys,
let's make Lindsborg unsafe for
bank or store robbers"
LAS the result of this remark, by
I3 O'Clock that same afternoon
Mayor Ludwig Nelson had called a
mass meeting (by telephone) Tor
s D. M, and on the hour, the city
hall was comfortably filled with
men who listened eagerly to the
plan presented for the protection of
the city. An organization was per-
| fected and ward committees APP
pointed with instructions to meet
| at the earliest possible date ana
perfect the ward organizations. The
| committeeman met the next morn
ling at 10 o'clock, and after an
hours session, the Lindsborg anu
irobber organization was gong
concern. The whole thing was ac-
complished in less than twenty-four
hours from the time 1t was con-
ceived.
IAN average of three meetings q
week have been held since in which
the force has been disciplined, tao
tics and strategy worked out and
defined, and plans formulated for
coping with any emergency.
aside from the executives, the
force consists of captain, Two heu-
tenants and fifteen men IN eacil
ward, or an approximate total OF
seventy men, all carefully selecteo
and armed to the teeth. Three
minutes after the alarm is SOUNDED
the town will be Theoretically seal,
ed every exit being blocked ana
barricaded. Every man knows ms
place and duty. A careful survey oi
the city was made and every
stra tegic point will be occupied by
day or night. The three banks
border on or near the principaI
street intersections, and right IN
that limited zone Chief FREDERICK
son intends to annihilate the ROD
Ibers. In fact, nothing but a mira
Gle will ever enable the robbers &c
get to the extreme outposts.
"Of course the signals, plans
ETC., necessarily cannot be discuss
ed; keeping them secret Is nlne'
tenths Of the battle.
Separate and distinct from the
regular force is the business men
auxiliary. A careful survey was
made of the business district, ar
Inventory being taken OF the
weapons available for a dayilgh,
robbery. AS a result, there will Dc
from one to four guns in practi'
cally every place of business 9ln'
Guiding those in the second stories!
with men pledged to use them
similar survey was made of the res
Iidence section. The city. will 1ur'
njsh the ammunition. All weapon!
land ammunition will be inspected
each month. ),
Arrangements are being made t
organize the farmers in the Lnds
borg territory to support an attacl
on the town, and a plan Is likewise
being formulated for co-operatloi
with neighboring towns"