The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-05-27

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to be met by armed men and placed
under guard.
Meanwhile the bandits had cut the
telephone cables. light wires, and
had gone to the bank where they
had battered down the door.
Nitroglycerine was used to blow
open the vault. Considerable dam
age was done to the interior of the
bank. A small safe inside the vault,
containing a considerable amount of
cash, was not touched by the gang.
The bandits fled toward Indian
apolis, 1T was believed.
Farmers for miles around Brook
were isolated by the cutting of the
cables. 1t may take several days
to make repairs.
Office Of Harry Webster, head Of
the protection department of the
Indiana Bankers Protective Asso-
citation, dispatched operatives to
Brook at once.
indianapolis police were investi-
eating tip given thmem by Thomas
Newman Of Columbus, Ohio.
Newman said an Essex coach
drove on to the National Rd. just
east Of Knightstown, followed by a
Hudson car about a. m. He said
there were five men in the Essex
and they hid their faces as he drove
past them. He said the car had
Newcastle auto dealers license. He
said that as they drove into Irving
ton three Of the men got out of the
car and separated. Newman made
his report after reading an account
of the hold-up in the newspapers.
Is State Bank
The Office of the State bank COM
missioner, Eben Walcott, said the
bank, formerly a private institution,
became a State bank, May 81, 1924,
with a charter capital of $4,000
John F. Lawrence is president and
John B. Lyons is cashier and John
B. Lyons Jr., assistant cashier.
Elkhart bankers and business men
have completed plans for protection
against bandits, according 70 word
been placed at various places in the
downtown district. Similar action
elsewhere was urged by Singleton,
the bankers association chairman
here.
Local vigilance committee, ulann-
by bankers, would be composed
Of responsible business men and
other public spirited citizens, who
would have their arms ready at
their places of business to turn out
at moments notice, Singleton said.
Members would be legally organized
as deputy sheriffs.
The plan has reduced bank rob-
berries in Iowa to a great extent and
is being tried out in Illinois, ac-
cording to Singleton.
Automobiles would be available
for pursuit of bandits at all times,
according to the proposal of the
bankers. Vigilanters would receive
training through membership in the
National Rifle Association.
Meet at Sullivan
Officials of the Indiana Bankers
Association were at a meeting of
Group s. at Sullivan. today. This
was one Of a series Of group meet
ings, at which the vigilance COM
mittee idea is being discussed. J..
V. Carpenter of the Brazil Trust
Company, Brazil, Ind, is president
Of the association.
State policemen have been ordered
to start to work at once when rob-
berries occur, he said. Although no
word had been received from Of
ficers In the northern part Of the
State today, several were probably
aiding in the search for the robbers
Of the Brook Bank, he said.
Although the State officers have
authority to arrest only for auto
mobile law violations, the fact that
the bandits break the speed laws in
making their escape will permit