Evening star., 1925-01-15
DETECTIVES SPOIL
BANDITS DREAM
Plans to Rob West Virginia
Bank ard Go to Europe
Wrecked by Police.

Carefully laid plans of two youth
full prospective bank robbers and
gunmen to make a rich haul on the
Farmers and Mechanics National
Bank of Shepherdstown, w. Va, and
then take a trip to Europe and pur-
sue everlasting happiness were
broken up last night by Detectives
Kelly, Sweeney. Waldron and Scrive-
ner, who arrested the pair In a room
at 45f III street. The youths were
listed by the police Jack William
Lillis, 20, of the II street address and
Ernest Woodford FORESTER II, of
l1U1 Ala abama avenue southeast. There
was to have been third member
present to acquaint himself with the
plans, but his pals said he got cold
feet"
Several days ago the detectives
learned that the hoI6-up had been
planned, and last night they visited
the II street house, entering Lillis'
room, and surprising the young men.
Detectives wouldn't "Stick EN- Up"
stick 'em up" Li1lis said to the de-
tectives when they entered the room.
but the detectives laughed at him.
There was no display OF violence
and the two youths were taken from
the house after the room had been
given thorough search, and crude
drawings, masks, box of stove pol
ish, box of cartridges and pistol
seized. Most of the property was in
n satchel, a second satchel intended
Tor use in taking the loot from the
bank also being there
Three letters Lillis had written to
the "cold-feet" member of the trio
were seized in the room and are being
held as evidence. One of the letters
was addressed Dear Old Pal" the
writer informing the pal that he was
still ready to pull the little party
that we are to pull"
After writing that ne had maps and
other things ready, he advised his
compa nion that all they needed was
an automobile and 'gats." term used
for firearms.
Pal" the letter continued, the
best thing i can tell you to do liz to
burn this letter after you are through
with it. l hope to do II by the 18th
day Of January.
"Hnppincss and Trip to Europe
Remember, pal the writer con-
tinued. lit means happiness and a
nice trip over to Europe if we can
make it all q. X. You know other
wise. Well. / hope you will be In to
see me Wednesday night, and re-
member the code: Thou shall not
sQueal''
In another letter Lillis wrote: II
assure you you are dealing with a pal
and a gunman.I
Both prisonefs are said by the de-
tectives to have frankly admitted
making plans to rob the bank and
feeling confident they would escape
and enjoy trip to Europe. 1t was
not their intention to take human life.
One Of the crude drawings found In
the room indicated the main street in
Shepherdstown and the location of
the bank. 1t also indicated where
the president of the bank would be
found near a rear door and the place
where their stolen automobile would
be parked.
Would Get $4,000.
Discussing their plans, the bows ex-
planned that one was to appear at
the front and one in rear of the bank.
They were to enter, shout stick EN-
up" and proceed to get the 0,000
Then they were to board the automo-
bile and disappear over the West Vir.
cinia roads.
Liiiis, police So been previous
to have q q knsiveiy. rel Is soing sn,g
as far as the Pacifie Sast. Forester,
plasterer. appears much older than
II, the age he gave, detectives say,
and he said he had been forced to
leave home because he had planned
marriage. He resided at the home of
his sister
This morning the prisoners were
further questioned by the police,
photographed and returned to cells.
They are booked as being held for
Investigation and polio . planned to
advise officials Of the Shepherdstown
financial institution Of the exciting
experience they probably escaped. 1t
Is thought by police that the Shep-
herdstown bank was selected by Lii
lis, who is believed to have visited a
girl in that section.