Local

On Feb. 25, 1915, a lone bandit walked into the Farmers State Bank in Haxtun where he shot and killed the cashier, John Brunke. He closed the curtains to make it appear as though the bank were closed and proceeded to deposit all of the funds, some $5,000, in a grain sack, then walked to the livery barn, mounted his horse and rode west from town. The dastardly deed was discovered a short time later and a posse was organized which gave chase, and the bandit was captured 1 1/2 miles west of Haxtun. The bandit fired 14 shots at the posse, but fortunately none of them took effect. The robber was identified as William Thompson, who had been working as a cornhusker in that locality for the past year. He later turned in his accomplice, Charles “Harry” Rose, who worked at the livery stable. Nearly all of the bank funds were recovered, scattered over the field where Thompson was captured. Bert Edwards, Bill Decker and Ira Roth are shown taking Thompson, pictured second from left, into custody after he had been hit over the head with a rifle barrel. — source: Phillips County Museum