The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-01-01
DILLINCER GANG
SMASHED, BANK
HOLDUPS DROP
State Record of Ten for
Year Compares With
Best in u. S.

DeSl ll u D.
The fall Of the Dillinger gang dur
ing 1884 was reflected today in a
survey showing there were only 10
bank ro@beries in Indiana during
the year.
There were 80 such robberies in
the SS1e DUNG 1888. the year which
saw the rise OF the murderous con-
Wet gang.
Led by John Dillinger, the Hoo
sier farm youth who rose to the po-
sition Of Public Enemy No. l Of the
Nation, the gang was the dominant
factor IN the Indiana crime scene
during both years.
Only one Of the 10 rObberies of
1894 was attributed directly to the
mob. That was the s20,376 holdup
OF the Hirst National Bank of East
Chicago Jan. IS in which police
man William P. OFMalley was killed.
But, the publicity and attendant
public indignation made bank rob-
berry more hazardous than profit
able.
~ tA-AkNAo Aaa--~AA@a a 4 AN
sive drive against such crimes. 7
state police force reorganization g
under way. Bankers took create
precautions.
As result, Indiana's status among
midwestern states regarding bank
robberies changed from one of the
worst to one Of the best.
First Holdup Jan. 8
First bank robbery Of the year
occurred Jan. g at the Peoples Loan
and Trust Co. at Modoc. A lone
bandit obtained $500. He was the
same robber who stole $500 from
the bank oct. %. 1888, Boyden Jor-
dan, assistant cashier and victim
Of both holdups, said.
Then came the bloody Dillinger
gang raid on the East Chicago bank.
Dillinger was identified as one who
shot down policeman O'Malley as
the three bandits fled.
The Community State Bank Of
Royal Center was robbed of $1,000
Feb. 10.
Next bank to be victimized was
the Ladoga State Bank. Loot was
5000. P. w. Robbins and Otis Dick
erson, both of Peoria, ILL.,, confessed
the robbery Dec. II and were SEN
fenced to 10 years each in state
prison.
$4,000 Taken at South Bend
On June 30 four men invaded the
Merchants National Bank of South
Bend, shouting like Indians on the
warpath and shooting into the
ceiling, scooped up $4,000, killed
Policeman Howard Wagner and
wounded three others.
Efforts to link the Dillingar gang
with the raid have failed.
All the banks in the state were
left unmOles Ted after that until
Sept. 4. when the Union State Bank
of WeStfeld was robbed of $1,000 by
two men. One was caught at Indi-
annapolis two days later, confessed
and was sentenced. Police still are
seeking his companion.
Three men obtained $500 from
the Farmers State Bank of Moore
land Sept. 20. Jackie Owens, %,
Hugh Webb, 81, and Gerald
BeOugher, %, all of Newcastle, con-
fessed the crime Oct. 9 and were
sentenced to Is years each in the
state prison.
City Bank Is Robbed
On Nov. Is, four men obtained
approximately $4,000 from the Ken
lucky Avenue branch of the Union
Trust Company, Indianapolis.
Six days later the Carbon State
Bank was robbed Of $1,000 by three
men. Wallace Brady and Everett
Kocher, both of Anderson, and
Lawrence Griffith, Bowling Green,
were arrested at Minneapolis, Dec.
20. Police say they have confessed.
They are awaiting trial at Brazil.
Latest bank robbery occurred Dec.
Is, when four men stole approx
imately $3.50 from the Farmers
State Bank at La Paz.
Later that day bank employees
identified Jacob Hizer, %. South
Bend police character. as one of
the robbers. He is being sought.
Three Suspects Held
Two days later James DOrikis, 81,
South Bend; John G. Merryman, 33,
KOkOmo, and Mrs. Erma Boomer
shine, alias Sally Carlson, Kokomo,
were arrested at Kokomo. Bank
employees identified Dorikis and said
they believed Mrs. B~oomershine was
the blond driver Of the bandit car.
Two bank employees were robbed
while carrying funds on the streets
during the year. Jesse L. Reeves,
4S, teller for the Greenfield Bank
ing Co. was robbed of $500 Sept.
Is, while en- route to Greenfield
from Indianapolis.
Frank Reeder, manager of the
Twelve Points branch of the Mer-
chants National Bank of Terre
Haute. was robbed Of S1525 by three
bandits. Dec. Is, while en- route to
his Office.