Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Isabella County Enterprise December 21, 1881 About 2 o'clock Thursday morning, seven masked men seized, bound and gagged the night policeman of St. Clair, took him to the City Hall square, and left two men to watch him. The other five of them went to the First National Bank, forced an entrance and tried to blow up the safe. They drilled three holes into it and filled them with powder but the explosion was a failure. They how- ever succeeded in breaking off the knob on the combination lock. Failing in their attempt to rob the safe they had the policeman brought into the bank where he was handcuffed and tied to a chair. Soon after the burglars left the police- man managed to free himself from his uncomfort- able position and get into the street. Although his hands were handcuffed he reached his revolver, which the burglars had not taken from him, and fired it off several times to arouse some of the people. A few heard the shooting and went in the direction of the bank, where they found the police- man. The gag was taken out of his mouth and his hands were released. The contents of the safe were not disturbed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - The officers of the St. Clair bank have em- ployed a detective to work up the recent rob- bery case, and it is said they already have a slight clue. It is furthermore hinted that part of the gang was constituted of home talent. The rascals left behind them a large blue silk hand- kerchief, a pair of nickel-plated handcuffs, a ball of hardware twine, a drill and crank, a sledge hammer and gimlet. Policeman LANZER, who was maltreated by them and carried into the bank and thus prevented from giving the alarm, is now confined to his house, where he is nursing a cut face and head. He says he will be able to recognize the leader of the gang if he meets him again. ===========================================================================