The Devils Lake world., 1922-06-28
BANK ROBBERS
KILL MERCHANT
AT MICHIGAN

Michigan, N. D., June zo.-1eg-
gnen who murdered Bred Bergen, 20,
of Whitman, N. D., before he could
give an alarm after he had surprised
them in the act of robbing the Lambs
National bank here early Thursday,
morning, escaped with $4,000 in cash
and bonds apparently without leaving
single clue to their identity.
A finger print expert from Fargo,
is to examine the interior of the
bank and the door of the vault which
was blown by a charge of nitro
glycerine. 1t is not expected, however,
that the examination will yield any
clues to the identity of the bandit-mur-
derers as the crime was evidently
committed by experts who would hard
ly be expected to neglect to wear rub
ber gloves.
The bank robbers had nearly four
hours in which to make their escape,
Mr.. Borgen's body lying on the side
walk near an alley which runs be-
hind the bank was mute evidence of
the crime. 1t was discovered at about
6 a. m., while a check of details
, shows that he must have been shoot
shortly after 2. a. m.
The ruthless regularity of desper-
ate manner in which the robbery was
carried to completion is evidently that
| the work was done by experts. The
entire city was isolated by the cat
ting of all telephone and telegraph
connections except those into the
Great Northern depot. Some Of the
wires were cut about half mile from
the town, and in several places.
Surprises Bandits
Mr.. Bergen was manager Of a mer-
camille establishment of Whitman and
this firm owns the Michigan Mercan-
tile Co., here. He had attended a
party until after midnight. and then
secured key to the store from Albert
Steen clerk. He said he was going
to secure some goods needed at the
home establishment. The Lambs
bank is located next to the Michigan
Mercantile Co., store which
is on a corner. Mr.. Borgen's car was
found parked on the side street close
to the crossing.
It is believed that as. he stepped
around the corner to enter the front
door Of the store he spied one Of the
thugs guarding the front door Of the
bank. Later incidents would indicate
that refusing to obey demand to put
his hands up, Bergen ducked around
the corner and set oof on a run TO
give the alarm.
At the alley he was met by Sec
ond guard who possibly ordered him
to halt and then fired two shots, the
first of which missed and the second
of which hit Borgen's left brest just
above the heart. He was found lying
on his face in pool of blood. The fact
that the palms of his hands We're bad
ly scartched on the cement walk and
that the bullet emerged from the low
er part of his back would indicate
that he must have been leaning for
ward and running straight toward one
of the gunner.
Shots Were Herd
Holes made by the two bullets were
found in buildings nearly a block
from where his body lay. One bullet
had entered the door of a garage and
lodged in the back Of an automobile
The shots were fired from .3S calibre
pistol.
Physicians believe that Mr.. Bergen
probably lived for fifteen minutes
after being hit but was too weak OF
stunned to give an alarm. His body
had not been touched by the slayer
so far as could be ascertained.
Fully a dozen people recall having
herd two shots which at the time
they believed were blasts from the
exhausts of automobiles, number Of
which were passing through the tow
at all hours of the late night and early
morning. Many also recall having
herd dull sound which must hav,
been the explosion in the bank. None
however, attached any Significance t,
the sound at the time which was short
ly after 2 a. m.
The accomplices Of the murder mus
have succeeded in blowing the vaul
in the bank just before the shooting
After being warned of the possible
alarm caused by the shots, it is be
lieved they coolly sorted the papers il
the vault taking only those they wer
sure were valuable. No attempt wa
made to open safety deposit boxes O
J to enter the store next door to tn
bank.
Yeggs Were Experts
Their escape must havee been mad
in automobiles. It is thought that tn
; gang numbered not less than four o
five men. Authorities believe the ban
: divided Immediately after the robber,
, and escaped in two automobiles.
Although dozens of kilograms call
, ing for their arrest were sent to sur
, rounding towns Immediately after tn
l robbery and killing were discovered
. absolutely no trace of the desperadoe
I, | has haon fornd