ROB GRAND RIVER BANK

LANDES, VANWERDEN, STREET

Posted By: Nancee Seifert (email)
Date: 10/28/2009 at 10:31:53

Decatur County Journal
Leon, Iowa
Thursday, September 19, 1912

The First National Bank at Grand River was burglarized Wednesday morning at
an early hour and between $800 and $900 carried away by the robbers.

The robbers from what has been learned by telephone, took possession of a
railroad velocipede at Van Wert by breaking into the hand car house and in
that manner made their way to Grand River. There they gained entrance to
the bank

There are two safes in use at the Grand River institution, one of them being
outside the vault which would be a very difficult proposition for burglars
to attempt to open. Between $800 and $900 which had come in during the day
had been placed in the safe outside. The bank robbers gave their attention
to the outside safe and blew it open. The explosions were heard by some of
the people of the town but they thought some one was shooting firecrackers
down town and paid little attention.

Mrs. L.J. LANDES telephoned to Mr. and Mrs. L.P. VAN WERDEN Wednesday
forenoon saying that she and her husband heard the explosions but thought
some one was firing of firecrackers down town. It is reported that there
were five explosions. BERT STREET, in charge of the telephone central office
located in a building next door to the bank heard the last three explosions.
He lives in the telephone building. He arose and telephoned Cashier
BROTHERS and told him what he suspected was going on. Upon the arrival of
Mr. BROTHERS and others at the bank it was discovered that the safe had been
blown and that the robbers had gotten away.

Sheriff Andrew was summoned from Leon and an investigation started at once.
It was found that the railroad velocipede had been used in leaving Grand
River but had been abandoned at a point east of DeKalb being first taken
from the track and placed in a corn field. Blood hounds were telegraphed
for and their arrival from Agency City, was expected Wednesday evening as
the Journal went to press. The authorities expected to place the dogs on
the trail at the point where the velocipede was found. It is reported that
there were three men in the gang. Many think that it is the same parties
that robbed the Thayer bank a few days ago.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
October 28, 2009
iggy29@grm.net