Valley Falls Bank Robbery, 1890

The Valley Falls Register, Friday, March 7, 1890

From The Valley Falls New Era,
March 8, 1890

Just before six o’clock last Saturday afternoon John Coen, cashier in the bank of Hicks, Gephart & Co., pale and trembling rushed out of the front door of the bank and told passers by, as best he could, that the bank had been robbed of a large sum of money a few moments before. He first saw A. Harmon and L.M. Tutt. The startling news spread rapidly; guns and revolvers were in hand, and everybody soon on the lookout. But the fleeing robber escaped from sight by dodging three blocks east passing out at the stock yards. Darkness came on. Telegrams and telephone messages were sent in various directions giving notice of the robbery. Armed men were detailed to scour the country and board every out-going train. The hours wore on. Finally at midnight a dispatch from Meriden 15 miles distant, gave the information that a stranger, answering the description of the robber had stopped there and gone to bed in the hotel. He had told the night operator that he was a “slicker.” Suspicion was fastened upon the stranger. How to capture him was the question. The officials at Meriden asked for help from Valley Falls, and Joe Summerville and Hal Shire volunteered to do the work and left in a buggy at 1:30 p.m. They arrived at Meriden between four and five o’clock and consulting constable Garber and landlord Garber, of the American hotel, laid their plans to capture the bold bad man. And they planned wisely and safely. But would they get the right man! The robber had left word with the clerk to call him at 5 a.m. as he wished to go to Atchison on the morning train. He slept up stairs. At the appointed hour he was called by the clerk, arose promptly, dressed himself and walked down stairs into the office, where the brave deputies were stationed, armed with double barreled shot-guns, heavily loaded. The robber cheerily bade the clerk good morning closing the door behind him. At the same time he was ordered to throw up his hands and he saw, doubtless to his complete surprise, that he was covered by two sudden-death-dealing weapons. He haulted not nor held up his hands, coolly and silently walked toward the stove, crossing his arms and reaching to his side coat pockets for his pistols. Again he was ordered to throw up his hands and again he refused, hoping, perhaps, to un-nerve the deputies, or by a skillful maneuver draw his double action revolvers and stand an equal chance with his captors. To him it must have been an awful moment. To surrender would be to expose his guilt — not to do so he might escape. His time had come; the triggers were pulled, simultaneously, and the heavy report from two shot guns sounded the knell of his departure into eternity. The daring robber fell backwards, dead, his feet near the stove. He raised his head and shoulders slightly from the floor and sank back stilled in death. One full charge entered just above his heart and the other in part, his right shoulder. The body lay there until noon, when county attorney Gephart, and witnesses from here, arrived to attend a coroner’s inquest and examine the effects of the dead man. $2,812 was found on his person, all in his boots except $24, one package of $500 in bills, having the bank wrapper on it, endorsed 2-27-1890 – Coen; that is on Feb. 2nd [27th?] 1890, Coen counted that package. The other packages were recognized. The robber had $1,000 less than it was supposed he had, Coen in his excitement having over looked the package in the safe.

From The Valley Falls
New Era, March 8, 1890

A coroner’s inquest was held before Justice Fraser, and the following verdict was rendered. State of Kansas, Jefferson county. An inquisition holden at Meriden in Jefferson county, on the body of an unknown person there lying dead, by the jurors whose names are hereunto subscribed. The said jurors upon their oath, do say that the dead man is to us identified as that of the robber of the Hicks, Gephart & Co. bank at Valley Falls, Kan., on March 1, and killed by a gunshot wound while attempting to escape arrest at Meriden, Kan., in apprehending him as said robber.

We find that said killing was lawful and justifiable in every respect.

We further find that said death was not felonious.

In testimony whereof the said jurors have hereunto set their hands, the day and year here below written. March 2, 1890. Abraham Mosier, foreman; Robert Smith, George W. Potts, Nathan Glenn, George A. Smith and D.H. Fraser, justice of the peace, acting coroner.

The man was identified as the robber beyond all question.

The above is a diagram of the room in the hotel where the robber was shot.
Dark lines indicate the doors, dotted lines the windows.
D, door where he entered from stairway;
Os, where he fell;
S, the stove;
G, constable Garber;
B, Summerville’s position;
A, Shire’s, though on north porch, door open;
dash lines to the right, stairway.
The room is about 11x13 ft.

The robber had on a new short leather coat, lined with red flannel, dark checkered pants, knit jacket, wore boots and rubbers, and a felt hat. He was seen here Saturday morning wearing the same suit. When he committed the robbery he wore a black turban cap, brown denim coat and slate colored overalls, covering his face with a red handkerchief.

HOW IT WAS DONE

The “slicker” did his first work well; but fell down at last. He took breakfast Saturday morning at the Octagon hotel and afterwards he played checkers with young Smith. He gave his name as D. Smith. He wore then, the same suit he died in. Shortly after 10 a.m. he went to Coy, Hutchins & Co’s., clothing store and bought a 10 cent red Martha Washington pocket hand kerchief, displaying a small roll of bills and getting change for a $5. bill. He then visited each bank and took observations. He then visited several stores in town, his face covered with the red handkerchief. People who noticed him supposed he had the tooth-ache or mumps. About noon he hired a saddle horse at Harman’s livery stable, still disguised, saying he wished to ride to the country two miles to look at some cattle. He rode all about town and studied the surroundings, no doubt. About one o’clock he hitched the horse to a telephone pole in front of the Crosby’s bank, where it is presumed that he first intended to make a haul; but owing to the large number of farmers in town and a special meeting of a horse company in lawyer Hamble’s office, in the rear of the bank, he gave that up after waiting two hours for an opportunity, and returned the horse at Harmon’s suggestion. He probably intended to escape on the horse if he could rob that bank. 

He tried another plan, and entering Hicks, Gephart & Co’s. bank between four and five o’clock, called for and secured a $2.00 draft on New York. John Coen, the cashier, was alone, Dr. Gephart, being absent at Oklahoma. Claiming to be chilly and suffering with neuralgia he entreatingly asked permission to sit by the stove in the office and warm. This was granted, and he soon complained of growing very sick and enquired when the doctor might arrive. The cashier did not suspect his intentions though the robber lingered by the stove; but however told him he’d better go to some restaurant or other place to warm. The stranger pleaded to remain. Several parties saw him sitting in the rear office, but suspected nothing. Closing up time came on and the cashier proceeded to cast his balances and place the books, money, etc., in the vault. He closed the front door and had entered the vault to close the time safe, about this time growing rather nervous about the presence of the “sick” man. What could he mean? Suddenly his visitor appeared at the vault door with a revolver in each hand remarking, “That is a nice place you are in; a very secure place;” and John saw two pistols in his face. He was powerless to resist. The robber said, “please hand out $10,000.” John replied that he did not have that much. “Then,” said the robber, “give me what you have and put it in this sack.” John proceeded to do so. The robber then proposed to lock John in the vault, but relented and locked him in the bank telling him he would leave the back door key by a tree and warned him not to give the alarm until he got away. But the alarm was given all the same, soon as possible, after unbolting the front door. The robber fled south one block and dodged eastward three blocks to the stock yards where, it was learned afterwards, he lay hiding for some time, under the chute of the A.T&S.FE stock yards. There he removed his disguise, and left a black cap, denim coat, overalls and red handkerchief in the white cotton bag, where they were found by Jim Falls, Tuesday morning. The draft, also, was found there, torn and twisted. Who he is and whence he came has not yet been ascertained.

NOTES

• It is the boldest bank robbery on record.
• The $2.00 draft was in favor of S. Robertson, Ottawa, Ks.
• It was a lucky thing that Coen was not locked up in the vault.

  

  From The Valley Falls Register,
  March 7, 1890

• Art Mason went to Meriden Tuesday and got two or three negatives of the unknown man and made some good photos of him.
• Chief Gardner viewed the dead man Sunday to see if he was among his list of crooks.
• Among the robber’s effects was a silver watch bearing the initial R; a two-foot rule marked S.R.; a registered letter receipt with the names D. Smith and S. Robertson, Ottawa, Kans., to Burlington. He wore a home made shirt lined with part of a flour sack, branded Starre & Co., San Francisco.
• When people from abroad heard of the robbery many remarked, “The robber will be in great luck if he escapes. Valley Falls will shoot.”
• Charley Williams went to Meriden on a freight train, stopped off awhile and went to Topeka on the passenger, and the operator there was well prepared to suspicion the “slicker,” when he stopped in half an hour afterwards.
• Constable Stockwell went to Leavenworth via. the N.W. freight at midnight. He was at Police headquarters Sunday morning and learned by telephone of the death of the robber.
• Hal Butts and Dr. Swallow drove to Boyle and Winchester. They noticed a horse hitched at a farm house, knocked and inquired if a stranger was there. The four young gentlemen, playing “high five” were badly frightened.
• Deputy Fred Diehl was to go to Atchison on the morning train but the work was done before the time for the train.
• Will Posey drove to Oskaloosa and back by one a.m. and brought over attorney Gephart. They had a cold ride.
• “You won’t, will you” was the signal for the deputies to shoot, if the robber refused to hold up his hands and surrender.
• We understand that certain parties, at Meriden, are talking to the effect that the robber could have been taken alive. They should have tried the job and not allowed help to come from Valley Falls.
• The latest is that the body of the robber of the Valley Falls bank has been identified as that of *Sharon Robertson, a farmer living near Ottawa. He was one time P.M. at Homewood.

SECOND INQUEST

Monday and Tuesday it was reported that the robber had shown a large roll of bills in making purchases during the day before entering the bank, and as the bank had not shown conclusively how much they had lost, they had become owners of money not belonging to them. Also that the shooting had been done with unjustifiable haste, without warning, that the parties doing it had said they had come to kill him and had done it.

These ideas were set forth to the coroner in a petition, and he decided to hold a second inquest to decide firstly if the bank had returned to them more than they had lost, and secondly if the pursuers had given sufficient warning before shooting.

The jury at the second inquest consisted of four of the former jury with two new men.

The second inquest was held Thursday much to the annoyance and inconvenience of the Valley Falls people. Attorney Myers appeared in behalf of the Bank, and Coroner Balsly began examining the witnesses, E.M. Hutchins, J.W. Falls, ’Squire Frazier, John Coen, Constable Garber, Summerville and Shire. The examination of the two latter is said to have been quite severe causing some excitement. Their testimony is substantially given in these columns.

Mr. Sharrard of the Meriden State bank was next called as an expert to examine the balance book of the Valley Falls as to the amount as to amount of balance on hand March 1st and 3rd.

His report satisfied the jury that the bank was not in possession of any money not belonging to them.

The other personal effects were returned to the keeping of the coroner.

The jury after two hours deliberation brought in a verdict to the effect that the deceased came to his death by the hands of said Shire and Summerville, and that the killing was not felonious.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 2014.

*Shanon Robison was identified as a resident of Franklin County.

From The Ottawa Daily Republic, Saturday, March 8, 1890

The news was at first incredible but a Republican representative instituted a search which terminated in proving that it must be none other than Shanon Robison of this neighborhood. Because of the seriousness of the charge, pending further investigation, but little was said publicly about the unfortunate circumstances.

Shanon Robison is well known here, his father being an old resident of Homewood. About three years ago the old man bought Mr Guy’s stock and afterwards his son Shanon became postmaster. Since then they went to California but the son came back last August and went to live with his father-in-law, Mr Shaw on Sac Creek west and south of Princeton.

During the winter he made various excursions through the state ostensibly to purchase a farm. Very recently he negotiated with Mr Haigler of Harrison township, but had not completed the bargain Friday morning, 7^th instant. He said then he was going away for a day or two, and was expecting some money, after which he would make a final deal.

On Monday of last week, Feb 24, he and his wife, quite a young woman, probably eighteen years old, were in the city and made numerous calls on our merchants. Mr Forbes had sold him various bills of goods, which he always paid, but he acted so strangely that he did not care to trust him longer.

The sad events have astonished everybody, for all the parties connected are people of good standing. The surviving widow and child, as well as the other relatives, have the sympathy of a large number of friends.

Baseball — 1879

From the Valley Falls New Era, August 2, 1879

Last Monday afternoon the Nortonville base ball club, the Comets, played the Valley Falls Clippers a matched game in this city, and they com-it over the Clippers quite easily. Both clubs made a nice appearance on the ground and quite a number of men, women and children witnessed the game. The Clippers wear blue pants, striped stockings, white shirts and white caps. The Comets wear white stockings, red pants and white shirts. The game was played without the least bit of ill feeling among the players, and although some of our boys were out of practise and did miserable playing there was no complaining nor grumbling on the ground. Our catcher, Mr. Robt. Weiser, did some very excellent playing and were our boys in practise we would have a good base ball nine. The Comets should award much of the credit of their victory to their Captain, Mr. Fawble, who is the life of the nine. Mr. Trower of Winchester, umpired the game impartially and promptly. The score stood Comets 38 — Clippers 15.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1986.

Motorcar Regulations

Regulating Speed and Operation of Automobiles

From the Oskaloosa Independent, May 6, 1910

The Legislature of 1903 passed a law regulating the speed, operation and equipment of automobiles, but the law is not generally observed. Some persons drive their cars as suits their pleasure or convenience, with little regard for the rights of others. The greatest danger from reckless driving is to small children who wander out into the streets, and are unable to appreciate the danger.

The law provides that every automobile shall be equipped with bell or horn and lights, and that these lights burn from one hour after sunset until one hour before sunrise. No automobile shall be run at a speed exceeding 20 miles per hour outside the limits of the thickly settled or business part of any city or town, and not exceeding 10 miles per hour within the thickly settled or business part of any city or town. In meeting or passing teams, if they should appear frightened, the driver shall reduce the speed, and if signaled by the driver of the team, proceed no farther, but remain stationary as long as necessary to allow the team to pass. Upon approaching crossings the driver of the automobile shall run at a rate of speed less than that specified and not greater than is reasonable, having regard to the traffic and use of the intersecting ways.

Cities have power to regulate and control speed and use of automobiles by ordinance.

Persons violating this law shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined not exceeding $100.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in April 1983.

Signal Code

From the Nortonville News, September 10, 1915

A “sane signal code” has been adopted by a number of automobile clubs in the East and already the attention of Kansas motorists has been directed toward it. The code, motorists believe, will revolutionize traffic. The code provides one blast of a motor horn or signal by the motorists for “straight ahead,” two for a stop, three for a turn to the right and four for a turn to the left. The plan is designated to become general thru-out the country so motorists away from home may not be annoyed by unfamiliar traffic signals and regulations. All police, pedestrians and motorists would then understand the simple code.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 2007.

Probate Court Item

From the Valley Falls New Era, June 15, 1916 (copied by Jeff Laird)

City Marshall Sturgeon of Oskaloosa, made quite an array of arrests last Monday evening. All told five parties, including one young lady, were arrested for running their cars without tail lights. Tuesday morning they appeared before police judge Leach, assessed a fine of $1 each, with no costs. This being their first offense he was somewhat lenient with them. The people are beginning to realize that Mr. Sturgeon means to enforce the city ordinance governing the running of cars within the city limits and those who have been of a different opinion had better change their minds mighty quick.

This story appeared in “Yesteryears” in October

Weeklies and Weaklies

Jefferson County has had 47 varieties of newspapers.

(from a scrapbook of clippings in our files, date unknown)

The first newspaper to be published in this county was the Grasshopper, founded at Grasshopper Falls in May 1858 by J.A. Cody. It was a small sheet; Mrs. Cody did the editorial work.

G. Raymond Gaeddert, First Newspapers in Kansas Counties: “Grasshopper,
Grasshopper Falls, June 5, 1858. This is undoubtedly the first newspaper
published in Jefferson county. The first issue appeared June 5, 1858.
J. A. Cody was listed as editor and proprietor, and S. Ward Smith, publisher.
Smith probably was the printer. According to Andreas, Mrs. Cody "did most
of the editorial work." [43] J. A. Cody was "an uncle of the famous scout,
Buffalo Bill," [44] whose given name was William Frederick Cody.”

After four months it suffered coma, was revived by Mr. Ross Whiting, and sold to David W. Guernsey, who rechristened it The Crescent. It proved a waning crescent, however, and its demise occurred a few months later. 

A new paper with the same royal head was established in 1873 by Geo. W. Hoover and Geo. A. Huron. In 1874 Huron consolidated with the New Era, a weekly founded at Lecompton by Rev. S. Weaver and moved to Valley Falls in September of 1871. In 1876 Huron sold the New Era to L.B. Wilson and others. Another year later the establishment was sold to A.G. Patrick and the sheet renamed the Valley Falls New Era. In 1878 Mr. Patrick sold his interest to G.D. Ingersoll. Geo. Harman was for some years publisher of the New Era.

At Oskaloosa, in July 1860, was established the Oskaloosa Independent, which is today the oldest surviving weekly newspaper in Kansas published continuously without change of name or of place.

 

In the fall of 1866 the Oskaloosa Democrat was founded by Stafford & Nesbitt. It was short-lived. The same fall B.R. Wilson and L.A. Heil established the Oskaloosa Statesman, a democratic paper. Wilson stayed with it four years, when it gave up the ghost.

Another democratic effort was the Sickle and Sheaf, 1873, Jules L. Williams and B.R. Wilson, publishers. In 1877 Wilson renamed it the Oskaloosa Sickle. 

It was a seven column folio, printed on a Washington hand press said to be the oldest of its kind in the state, having been brought to Lawrence in 1854 by John Speer, who used it to get out the Kansas Tribune,* and later took it to Topeka, where Speer and Ross used it in the spring of ’56 to publish the doings of the legislature in a daily edition of the Kansas Daily Tribune, the first daily newspaper of the capital city. We do not know what finally became of the old press, but if the State Historical society can tell us we shall be pleased to record it in this column later.** The Sickle and Sheaf persisted until 1886.

*G. Raymond Gaeddert, First Newspapers in Kansas Counties: “The Kansas Pioneer [later Tribune] published at Lawrence, October 18, 1854, although printed at Medina, Ohio, must be regarded as the first newspaper in Douglas county, according to the definition controlling this article. John Speer, editor of the Medina (Ohio) Gazette, was the editor and publisher.”
“The Kansas Herald of Freedom, Lawrence, January 3, 1855, first issue printed in the county. The first issue of The Kansas Herald of Freedom, published by George W. Brown, dated October 21, 1854, but printed September 20, 1854, preceded the Kansas Pioneer, but it must be disqualified in this race for priority because it was not published within the present confines of Douglas county.”

**For a thoroughly confusing account of the earliest printing press in Kansas (although probably not the press used for the Sickle and Sheaf), see Kirke Mechem, The Mystery of the Meeker Press: “The question may still be asked, as it was when this Society was organized in 1875, ‘What has become of Kansas' historic press?’ Perhaps it was destroyed in one of the raids on Lawrence or was disposed of in some obscure transaction of which, so far at least, we have no record. Possibly Kerns did take it to Missouri, and it may still be in existence in some country print shop. Certainly the myths relating its migrations, if they are old enough to be called myths, are as curious as any in the annals of Kansas—and Kansas history contains some strange myths. But whatever the state does, it does wholeheartedly. Where only seven cities strove for the distinction of being known as Homer's birthplace, Kansas, in the short space of seventy-five years, has furnished ten towns with claims on a press which in all likelihood was never seen in any of them.”

See also Douglas C. McMurtrie, Pioneer Printing of Kansas, 1855-1860.

And Kansas territorial newspapers.

This article appeared in “Yesteryears” in October 1989, in honor of National Newspaper Week.