Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-03-22
Sim Tate Acquitted of
Bank Robbery Charge
Evidence Was That Watauga Boy
Was Forced Into Episode by
Noted Criminal

Attorney William R. Lovill return
ed Monday night from Vega, Texas,
where he went to defend young
Simeon Tate of Boone, accused of
completely in the robbery of bank
at Willboro, Texas, a few weeks
ago, and brings back the news of the
acquittal of the local boy by the
Texas jury. Mr.. Lovill was accom-
panied on his return by Mr.. F. C.
Tate, father of Simeon, the trip
having been made by motor.
The story of how the seventeen
year-old boy happened to be come
entangled in the bank-robbing epi-
sode is interesting and is not unlike
some pages from Horatio Alger's
novels. Young Tate had gone to At
lanta, Ga, in quest of employment.
He had failed to secure work, had
used all the money he had taken
from home and wAs beginning to get
pretty blue when he was accosted by
a fellow giving his name as Aubrey.
Ray, who advised Tate he could find
a job for him without difficulty.
Young Tate. told him he knew of
work on an oil project in Texas, but
was broke and would have to stay in
Atlanta for the time being. Where
upon, Ray flashed considerable roll
of money, pointed ou this automobile
and assuring Tate of his willingness
to help boy in trouble, suggested
that they go to Texas together. The
young man found in Ray an excel
lent companion and the two enjoyed
a pleasant journey to the Lone Star
state. However, when they arrived
at Willboro and parked the car near
a small bank, the demeanor of the
genial Ray changed He told Tate
They were going to rob the bank.
The youngster absolutely refused to
have anything to do with the deal.
But his protests were without avail.
He was made to get from the car
and at the point of gun march in
front of the criminal to the bank.
Once inside Ray quickly covered the
cashier, reduced second pistol and
ordered the frightened by to ''hold
him" minute. He looted the vault,
turned quickly and found Tate gone,
only to return in a moment under
shotgun guard of two citizens. Ray
hel dthe cashier with an automatic
in his chest and told the new arrivals
if they made move he would kill
the cashier. Protecting himself
of -
forced Tate to drive the car and
they took speedy leave. The cashier
was freed a short distance out on
the highway and the couple proceed
ed to a neighboring village where a
stop was made at a garage for re-
pair work. There Ray was accosted
by an officer who inquired as to the
ownership of the car. Tate was
some distance away and the officer
was cited to him. Quick as Il flash
Ray was gone and Tate was arrested
and placed in Jail.
Not satisfied with the days work
the notorious robber proceeded to
rob two other banking establish
ments within the period of a few
days and was finally arrested in
Oklahoma City. He proved to be
an escaped convict from the Austin
penitentiary, having been sent there
for 80 years. He has already been
tried for the last two robberies and
given two sentences of 80 years.
Young Tate is remaining in Texas as
a witness. against Ray in the case in
which he became innocently involv-
ed, and will return to his home as
soon as the hearing is over.
Attorney Lovill had little Difficult
ty in securing the acquittal of Tate
when his evidence was presented to
the court, and says public senti-
ment was overwhelmingly in support
of his client.