The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1936-04-18

counts, covered, other agents hur-
ried to Richmond.
Then officials Of the First and
Mercantile Bank of Richmond
were thrown into q turmoil.
A man giving his name as Rob-
ert K. Robinson, called Fred c.
Mitchell, manager of the savings
department. He said Mr.. George
N. Davis was in town and was COM
ing to the bank to transact some
urgent business.
Mitchell promptly notified State
police. When Davis and Robin
son, accompanied by two young
men who kept their hands in their
coat pockets, entered the bank
everything seemed to be just as
usual.
Davis, followed closely by Lig-
gett, approached Mr.. Mitchel'S
desk. Robinson, accompanied by
the other man, moved to the rear
Of the bank. Knowing the man
had his hand on the gun in his hip
pocket and another gun inside his
shirt, Robinson later said he was
afraid to signal for help.
Davis. followed closely by Lig"
gett, left Mitchell'S desk and
walked across the lobby to another
office, Liggett remaining on the
outside of the railing while Davis
entered the office.
At q signal from a guard, State
trooper strolled slowly towards
Liggett. Before the kidnaper
realizedit he was looking into the
muzzle Of a .45-service revolver.
simultaneously two troopers dis
armed RobinSon's companion.
Davis and Robinson, still shaken
by the strain Of q night Of wild
driving through heavy rains told
an exciting story.
wild Night
They said that when they
entered the driveway of Davis es-
tate they noticed the coupe
parked Just inside and two men
standing beside it. One, whom
Davis recognized as the internal
revenue agent, walked up to the
sedan and, waving q gun, yelled:
"Stick 'em up"
Just to show he meant It he
fired once in the air. This was
the shot Miss Peyton heard. AS
the secretary walked around the
grounds to see If anything was
wrong, Liggett and his companion
kept both Robinson and Davis
covered. When the girl had gone,
they ordered the two men back
into the sedan, Robinson, at Lig-
gett's order, at the wheel.
Leaving one man in the coupe
to follow them, the two kidnapers
climbed into the rear seat and,
with their revolverS pressed against
their captiveS' backs, ordered them
to drive to Richmond.
They had gone about 10 miles
when Liggett told Davis:
'WeII, Mr.. Davis, I suppose
you know what this is all about.
We are out for money and you
are going to pay the cash or
we will bump you off. We are
taking you to Richmond. We
will there dictate the check for
You and we will tell you what
statement you shall make to
the bank 50 the check can DO
caShed without difficulty. We
want $1O,OOO-Or else!"
Davis said he hadn't $4,000 in
cash and suggested they COM
promise on $1,000. They had
reached Ronceverte, w. Va,
closely followed by the coupe, and
Davis suggested they cash the
check at the bank there. Lggett,
however, insisted they drive on
to Richmond.
They stopped again on the high
way near graveyard to discuss
the ransom and Liggett's com.
panion, who appeared to have a
perverted sense Of humor, re-
marked the place was "appro-
pirate in case we have to bump
you off,"
Liggett finally compromised on
$500, and taking the wheel him
self, drove at breakneck speed
towards Richmond. All this time
Liggett'S companion kept the two
captiveS covered.
They reached Richmond early
in the morning, Davis told agents,
and went to the Rueger Hotel.
Then Robinson was ordered to
phone the bank which he did.
Liggett and his companion, who
gave his name as Paul Whiting
} ton, were photographed and tin.
gerprinted. They refused to d.
vulge the identity Of their COM
panion Of the coupe.
Agents exhibiting the photo
graphs Of the two kidnapers to
persons in and around Lewisburg
found a dairyman who thought
he recognized Liggett's picture. At
his suggestion the Omen called
on Harley o. Curry, ST., Of Lewis
burg, who said the kidnaper was
his son, Harley, jr.
The youth was away from home
most of the time, the father told
the investigators. adding that he
spent most Of his time in Charles
ton, w. Va.
Wilmington was identified as
William Clarence Craft, son of
Mrs. Bessie Bibby Of Charleston.
But the third kidnaper-known
as the mystery man"-was still at
large.