Bank robbery in Blue Mound

100 YEARS AGO

(1912)

A Fort Scott man has what he claims was a good joke on his wife, but he never tells it in public so his name is withheld. The man tells the story:

"Not long ago we were in a restaurant when a man walked in. He was a good looking chap, I will admit, yet he had a shallow look to show that he did not amount to much. My wife mistook him for some kind of a foreigner and when she saw him she went straight up in the air exclaiming, "Oh, look at that man. Now I just know he is graceful. A man of looks cannot help it, and besides, he is not an Englishman, so he is bound to be charming. Oh, I wish I could meet him.

"Well, the man sat down and ordered supper. When it came, the first thing he did was to drink coffee out of the saucer and eat with his knife. My wife pretended that she did not see him. But I noticed how it caused her to shiver several times."

75 YEARS AGO

(1937)

BLUE MOUND, Kan. -- Two men, armed with guns, robbed the Farmers State Bank of an undetermined amount of money here this morning and escaped not far from Fort Scott after a pistol battle with a pursuing posse. C.A. Hiatt, cashier, was slugged, but not seriously injured. Miss Cleo Mulkey, bookkeeper, said the first of the two bandits entered the bank about 10:30. His accomplice remained in the lobby throughout the robbery covering employees and customers with a revolver.

Three bank employees, Miss Mulkey, Mr. Hiatt and Miss Winnie Johnson, assistant cashier, and Mrs. Kent Balyeat and George Allison, a farmer, were in the bank at the time.

Scooping up money, the bandit drove the entire group into the vault and then joined his accomplice in the lobby. The two headed west in what was described as a black or blue Chevrolet coach or Pontiac, 1936 model, bearing Missouri license plates. Giving chase, three men, Kent Balyeat, Mike Purdom and Dean Evans, engaged in a gunfight with the bandits about three miles east of Devon. The exchange of shots took place as they neared the Len Kepley farm west of Devon. With careful planning, the bandits threw off the pursuit.

The Blue Mound Bank was robbed two years ago this month. The loss then was estimated at $5,000.

50 YEARS AGO

(1962)

Sports at Random (By John M. Davis)

It looks like softball is the sport here in Fort Scott. Last night at Main Street Park the stands were comparatively full and cars were parked around the diamond, as well as along Main Street, for two blocks. An estimated 300-400 spectators were on hand for the double-header.

Plans for extensive remodeling and enlargement of the Fort Scott Foodtown Supermarket at 518 S. National were revealed here today. One unusual feature will be the "dairy barn." It is composed of a barn-type roof structure.

Albert Mark Oskee has been appointed manager of the Sherwin Williams store here. Oskee has been with the company since 1956.

Newly organized School District No. 9, a consolidation of 10 districts southeast of Fort Scott, will hold its first annual meeting tonight at Catt School. Board members will be elected to replace temporary members who have been serving since the merging of the school units. Reece Singmaster, temporary director, said budgets and other school matters pertaining to the coming year will be discussed. Serving with Singmaster on the temporary board are George Brock and Raymond Pfeiffer.

25 YEARS AGO

(1987)

No publication.