Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-09-30
PAYROLL Bag Seized in
Face of New System
Devised to Protect
Against Holdups
r,esuerados Escape With Only
Vague Clue as to Identity OF
()ue-Rushed Car in Front
of Bank-Edward c. Ross,
Driver Shot Dead and Negro
Messenger Wounded in Head
--Holdup Sixth in Past 20
Months !

cambridge, Mass, Sept. 29.-(AP)
Murder was injected into Cam
BRIDGES frightening list of bank and
0ayroll robberies today when des-
n.radoes shot down the chauffeur of
/. hank delivery automobile. wounded
4. messenger and fed In an open
.n,omobile with a payroll of TO-
aes Tonight, beyond a semi-identi-
eeat;on of one of the men, made by
witness of the escape, the police
vere pressing a search hampered
~ . lack of clues and lack of de-
anita knowledge of the direction in
xnich the gunner headed.
EDWARD c. Ross. 20 year old stu
~, and son of a director OF the
rsntral Trust Company, drove the
ssnr,s car. After a terse Put EN-
mi Put 'em up" the gunner rush
y The car as it drew up at the curb.
named fire. killed Ross and wound
= Pufus johnson, negro messenger.
NAV snatched the bag containing
~ nayroll of the Ward Baking
r.mnany and retreated, firing as
/ INV vent. William O'Toole, guard,
49, covered by the guns of the
ssrdits. He opened fire as they re-
treated toward their own car, put
without effect.
Two bullets passed through the
h.rr cars windshield, fatally
-.rrainr Ross, A third struck
,shrsen = glancing blow on the
had. Three bullets were imoeooeo
n the body of the car.
Howard H. Smith. a witness or the
sigbt made a standardization OF
ars ~ the gunner from a picture IN
ia rogue's gallery. While two OF
~ bandits drew sweaters half over
their faces during the holdup, this
shird man was unmasked. He was
described as 80 years old, or more'
lark and unshaven; wearing norm
rImmed glasses. According 10
oToole II was his revolver that fired
IA shots fatal to Ross. The other
No O'Toole described as foreign
sna Smith saw the driver OF the
bandit car clearly, he said, ana
thorght he might identify both him
md the bespeckled gunman. Inc
latter. he connected with a ponce
Photograph. AZ,
me holdup today was the sixth
arge successful robbery of cam,
bridge banks or messengers IN ~
months and increased the aggregate
q sums taken to $4,000 in cash. and
$500 in checks.
The holdup was carried out In the
face Of q recently devised system
for protection of payroll deliveries
d Cambridge by an armored police
car, armed with riot guns. TUESDAY,
h was explained, is one or the Gays
when the police are unable to pro,
vide protection. Johnson, wounoeo
h today's holdup, was also the VIC
tim Of previous robbery.
The Central Trust Company To-
night offered a reward of $2,OOO Tor
lnformation leading to the capture
and conviction of the holdup men.
sequel to the robbery was d
controversy between the trust COM
any officials and the police as 70
the special automobile guard whicn
the latter recently agreed to FUR
nsh during the moving OF iarse
suns Of money. The company OF
fcials said that their request for the
special guard Tuesday had been re-
fused, while the police asserted thas
Protection had been asked for TO-
Day Il would have been supplied.