Adams County Witness

OHIO CITY BANK IS ROBBED OF $5,000

TWO UNMASKED MEN ENTER FARMERS' BANK FRIDAY NOON

Overlook Half the Money in Haste—Flee Toward Indiana State Line

Insurance Covers Loss.

Ohio City, a small town located on a paved highway midway between Rockford and Van Wert, Ohio, was visited by bank robbers shortly after dinner last Friday and looted the only bank in the town of about $5,000 in cash. The Decatur Democrat gives in part the following account of the robbery:

Two unmasked young men entered the Farmers' Bank at Ohio City, O., 18 miles east of Decatur, at 12:30 o'clock Friday afternoon and, while one of the bandits pointed a revolver at B. F. Hoffman, the only person in the bank at the time, the other bandit looted the safe and the two men escaped with $5,000 in cash. More than $5,000 was overlooked by the bandits.

M. M. Egler, cashier of the bank said that the loss was completely covered by insurance. Mr. Egler had just left the bank building and had gone over to the post office. An Essex coach automobile pulled up to the front of the bank and two men left the car and entered the bank.

Both men carried revolvers, and as one walked behind the cage the other covered the assistant cashier, Mr. Hoffman. The money was taken from the safe and from several drawers in the cashier's cage. A little more than $5,000 was overlooked in the rush to get the money and get away, Mr. Egler said.

The hold-up was performed in quick time and as Mr. Egler started back to the bank from the post office he could see the car and the bandits speeding down the street, headed west, apparently bound for the Indiana state line. Officials of all nearby towns were notified and a posse was formed at Ohio City to chase the bandits.

The Farmers' Bank is the only one in Ohio City. Considerable commotion was created by the robbery and posses were organized in all neighboring Ohio cities. Indiana towns and cities were notified to be on the lookout for the robbers. Only a fair description could be obtained from Mr. Hoffman.

The two men were young and about the same size. They wore caps and were well-dressed.