The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-08-08
CHECK Shows LARGE
sum IN BONDS WAS
TAKEN BY ROBBERS
Securities Were Non Negotiable,
However; Bank and Depos.
itors Suffer No Loss
CLUES TO BANDITS LACKING
Five Men Made Clean Getaway;
Conflicting Reports Received
From Points in State
CLUES TO BANDITS LACKING

Loot obtained by five men
who staged a daring daylight
robbery of the Dakota National
Bank and Trust Co. here yester-
day totaled nearly SIS, 900, in
Guiding approximately $4,000
non-negotiable bonks, a check
of the loss revealed today.
The bandits made away with
$23,364 cash, while the remain
der of their loot is in bonds
which officials said were reg
istered and therefore worthless
to the robbers. The bonds will
be duplicated by the bank
which will suffer no loss as a
result of the theft. The cash
loss is covered by insurance.
The bank raiders snatched up
a box Of bonds, and it was not
until today that a check was
made to determine their value.
Rewards totaling $1,5OO to-
day were offered for the arrest
and conviction of the bandit
gang.
The robbers made a clean
getaway and there was no
trace of them today. Few per-
sons saw them leave the bank
and information regarding their
number and actions was con-
flicting.
Immediately after the hold
up, it was reported that the
men had fled in a Durant car.
but today it was generally be-
lieyed the machine was q Hud-
son with a Kansas license plate.
The number of men in the
robbery. was fairly well fixed at
five. Four entered the bank
and one remained in the ma
chine outside.
Reports that "suspi c ious
looking" automobiles had been
seen were received from widely
scattered points through
the state but there was no evil
dence to connect them with the
Bismarck holdup.
Wahpeton reported that five
men in a black sedan refueled
there last night and then head
ed for Minnesota.
Wilton reported a car passed
through there at high speed
during the afternoon and SINH
lar reports were received from
Wing. Steele reported a "sus-
plclous" car headed toward
Sterling.
Sheriffs Are Notified
Police and sheriffs throughout the
state were warned to be on the look
out Tor the bandits but the descrip-
ton given was meager and it was
regarded as improbable that the cor
don would be effective. even il con-
tinued indefinitely.
OF the rewards offered, 81 900 wa
offered by the bank officials today
and the state bankers association has
a standing offer Of $500 reward for
the arrest and conviction of any bank
bandits.
Handled Big Guns NervousIy
With the excitement of yesterday
afternoon and last night passed, sur
vivors' Of the drama which was en-
acted In the bank were able to recol-
lect more detailed accounts OF their
experiences.
While the men went about the hold
up like experienced hands, they we're
very nervous in the handling Of their
weapons. John p. Wagner, bank
cashier. said the tall man who ordered
him into the vault to open the safe,
was so shaky In handling his guns
that he expected to be shot acciden-
tally. He was shaky, Wagner said.
from the time he entered the bank.
walked around AL Brink, who was
conversing with the cashier, and
poked a big gun into Wagner's face
o41A O10CACA llnu tW1CC W SGICA CuI
up" The second time he made It
hands up and face down toward tho
floor"
For a moment, Wagner said, he
pondered resistance, figuring on Brink
joining him If he struck the mans
gun aside and tackled him, but ne
considered the idea only a moment,
as the fellow pulled another gun out
Of his overall bib and poked it at
Brink. Holding two guns seemed To
steady his hand, Wagner said.
Kelsch Offered to Leave
Both the cashier and Brink were
ordered to lie face down on the
floor behind the counter. Then three
other bank employees were ordered to
join them, these employees being A.
Mayer, assistant cashier. and Tena
Toftner and Martha Nottveit. book
keepers.
To these were added Attorney C..
F. Kelsch. Mandan, who did not IN
derstand the bandits first command
and offered to leave the bank. His
offer was promptly and profanely de-
clined. Then Charley Whitley came
In with a pay check to deposit and
was ordered to add himself to the
floor group, face down.
Later Helen Baker came In from .
Continued on page E1even)