The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-08-28
VAN METERS DEATH
CAUSED BANDITS TO
ABANDON TWORA|DS
Staying Of Outlaw in St. Paul
Seen as Result of Tip or
by Pals
BABY FACE ADVANCE MAN
Would Have Struck Simultane-
ously and Fled to Hideout
Near Border
BABY FACE ADVANCE MAN

st. Paul, Aug. 26.-(HeA gang OF
10 men headed by George Baby
Face" Nelson was planning two big
bank holdups, simultaneously, in
Minnesotas iron range when dissen-
sion developed within the ranks and
Homer Van Meter was put on the
spot" by one OF his own pals. it was
learned Tuesday from q reliable
source.
For the past six weeks, Van Meter,
who was slain last Thursday night by
st. Paul police. has been looking
over" banks in northern Minnesota.
including Duluth, Hibbing. Virginia
and Evelett, 1t was learned. He was
designated BY the gang as the I'D
vance man."
The gang, the same report said,
planned to strike simultaneously on
two banks-about 10 or so miles
apart-with the idea Of getting .
large sum Of money and then fleeing
to their hideout, said to be somewhere
near the Canadian boundary.
The mob planned to escape to Can
ada II their booty was large enough.
Otherwise, the gangsters were figur-
ing on making two more bank raids,
according to the report.
Baby Face" Nelson, now known Is
Americas public enemy No. l, has
been reported seen In northern Min
nesota towns on several occasions in
recent months. The chief Of police
at Virginia Tuesday admitted that .
citizen had reported to him that he
identified q man giving q Virginia
bank the "once over as the notori-
Gus desperate.
Hamilton One Of Mob
The report given the Associated
Press listed members Of the gang,
said to number ten exclusive Of their
women companions, John Hamilton,
Dillinger lieutenant who has been
reported dead: Alvin Karpis, sought
for the Edward q. Bremen kidnap-
ing: Arthur doc" Barker and his
brother. Fred Barker, also mentioned
In the Bremen case. and q few new
connections" the mob made In re-
cent months.
Then "flare-up" came within the
ranks. the report continued. Some
members Of the gang feared Van
Meter might be captured and this
might result In disclosure of the iden-
tity Of the new members Of the gang.
He knew too much. He had been
travelling around with too many
women and his companions thought
this would lead him into trouble.
There was discord within the gang.
the report continued, but It was
finally agreed that II Van Meter was
put out Of the way, their chances for
q clean getaway would be enhanced.
The "tip-off" to the st. Paul police
followed and Van Meter was slain.
Now, 1t was reported. the heat"
has become 50 intense because Of the
killing that the gang has temporarily
abandoned their plans but may 60
through with them at q future time.
The hideout, said to be on the Min
nesota side near the international
border, is reported to be "as safe Z
place as any In the world
The source Of this information in
dicated that the gang contemplated q
bank holdup In Duluth and another
ct the same time somewhere on the
iron range.
Cullen Continues Search
Meanwhile, Chief Of Police Frank
Cullen, continuing his hunt for clues
to the whereabouts Of "Baby Face"
Nelson, announced that q checkup Of
money found on Homer Van Meter,
showed none Of 1t was ransom money
paid In st. Paul kidnapings.
The currency. $l.3o4.l8. was check
ed against number Of that paid for
the release Of william Hamm, brewer
kidnapped the summer Of 1888, and
Edward Bremen, banker abducted in
January, 1894. The Hamm ransom
was 100000 and that in the Brem-
er case 100000.
He said efforts to connect Van
Meter with the recent abduction Of
John s. Labatt, London, Ont, brewer
also had failed. Cullen said he had
received . telegram from w. H. Dunn,
chief constable ct London, In which
It was stated no ransom was paid for
the return Of Labatt.
w. J. E1akne, Minneapolis attor-
ney, Tuesday notified Chief Cullen
that he will claim the money found
on Van Meters body. Flakne said he
was acting for . Fort Wayne, Ind.
attorney administering the estate.
Cullen also announced he would
confer with authorities at the state
training school ct Sank Center re-
earding disposition Of Opal Meliga,
81. Paul waitress reported to have
becn friendly with the slain gangster.
1ha girl. who police said Was on
parole Of the Sank Center institution,
has been held without charge since
the Ddllinger lieutenant was slain.