The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1931-12-29
BANK ROBBERS
BRAND SHERIFF
AS HOLDUP AID
BIaCkfOrd County Official
GriIIed in Jail About
Bandits Charges.
DENIES HE is GUILTY
Acted as Tipoff Man and
Shared in Loot, Say
Prisoners.
By United Press

by tNttCU f1eSS
PORTLAND, Ind, Dec. 29-Ira
Barton, Blackford county sheriff,
suspected of completely in recent
Indiana bank holdupS, contended
his innocence through several hours
of grilling this morning, but Charles
Bolte, of the state criminal bureau,
predicted he would obtain a con-
fesSion in the case late today.
Bolte questioned Barton and three
bandits captured after robbery of
the First State bank at Dunkirk last
Thursday, during the entire morn
ing.
He said he believed the bandits,
two of whom have pleaded guilty.
were part of a large gang that
terrorized victims throughout In
diana and Illinois.
Confer Again Today
Prosecutor James Emswiler OF
Blackford county, and William
Speidel, Hartford City police chief.
were to confer with local authori-
ties this afternoon as to whether
Barton will be held ere or removed
to the Blackfords county Jail.
EmSwiler and Speidel believed
more serious charges could be pre-
ferred against Barton in Bulack-
ford county
Speidel intimate dthat if Barton
is returned to Hartford City the
three bandits also may be taken
there. He pointed out that the
grand jury is in session there and
that they could be taken before
tn ejury Immediately.
The charges were made by Frank
Valentine, Chicago Heights, Ill, and
Lorenz Capelli, Steger, Ill, sent
enced Monday to twenty years in
prison for the Christmas eve rob-
berry of the Dunkirk, Ind, bank.
One Man Slain
The pair was captured in a gun
fight with posse. A companion.
identified as Reinhold Fleuker, 81,
Racine, Wis, wss slain in the battle.
A fourth man, Albert Frobatta, Chi
cago Heights, is awaiting trial.
The man identified as Fleuker was
buried in the I. o. o. F. cemetery
without ceremony. Then the real
Fleuker was found alive at Racine
Monday. He was a prisoner in the
Racine jail and there was no oues-
ton about the Identification having
been a mistake.
The men told Sheriff Lon Wherlv
Of Jay county, where the Dunkjrk
hoIdup occurred, that Barton was
up-of" man for the gang. Corone
w. w. Ayres of Blackford county
took Barton into custody and
brought him here.
Agreement Is Charged
The bandits said they entered
INTO an agreement whereby they
were given plans and information
which enabled them to rob success
fully the Citizens bank at Hartford
City, Ind, twice and also a Mont
pelier Qnd) bank.
The pair did not know that Dun
Kirk was not in Blackford county.
they said, and when arrested for the
robbery charged they had been dou-
ble-crossed.
The story told by the two prison.
ers also named a Muncie woman.
Jay county officials said the bandits
worked on a percentage basis. OF
the $4,000 loot in the Hartford
holdup July 6, $4,000 was paid for
the tip-off, the pair said.
Arrangements were made the
bandits said, to conduct their raids
at time when considerable sums
would be available in the banks and
county peace officers absent.
Escape Assured, They Say
1t also was agreed that if any
members Of the gang were arrested
and confined to the Blackford coun-
ty jail, they would be enabled to es-
cape within five days.
Barton's term as sheriff has only
two days to run. He will be sue
ceeded Jan. ! by Sheriff Elect Ira
Mannix. Barton, who is about 40
years old, was well-to-do farmer
before his election as sheriff.
County Clerk Frank r. Nelson said
ne would serve as acting sheriff
while Barton is in custody.
MRS. Hazel Green, who is expected
to surrender to authorities in Mum
Gle this afternoon, will be brought
here Immediately, Bolte said. Mean
while, he announced, one and nos
slbly two other women will be ar
rested in connection with the affair
Bolte termed Mrs. Green the
brains" of the bandit gang and
charged that she directed their on
Grafton both in Indiana and Illinois.
Urged to Fight Charge
Barton's wife of three weeks.
brother, Everett; his father. and
nephew arrived today. They con-
ferred with Barton in his cell. His
father was said to have urged Bar
ton to continue to maintain his in
nocence and fight prosecution.
According to statements said 10
have been made by Capelli, Barton
conferred with the bandit gang an
hour before the Dunkirk robbery
and went with Capelli to the scene
OF the robbery to plan it.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Frabotta.
parents of one of the suspects, ar.
rived from their home in Steger.
Ill. Mrs. Frabotta Sobbed as she
talked with her son in Jail.
Hourly Temnerzfure~