Johnston CO OK- Mill Creek Bank Robbery - March 10, 1932 Submited by Linda Bonham Hanmer lindacb@flash.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with the USGenWeb policy of providing free information on the Internet, this data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other gain. Copying of the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Accounts of Mill Creek bank robbery, March 10, 1932 in Johnston County Oklahoma Johnston County Capital Democrat Citizens Kill One; Wound Two As Robber's Flee From Bank with $830. Bulletin The two wounded Smalley brothers who were taken to the Sulpher hospital were reported by Hospital officials Thursday morning to be resting fine, and that both will recover. The one shot through the head is not as dangerously wounded as first thought. The smaller brother was operated on and the bullet removed from his neck. County officials will return the prisoners to Johnston county in a few days. The body of Hamner was claimed by relatives living in Wewoka. Two men were shot down, one killed as they walked from the First National Bank, at Mill Creek, Wednesday after noon at 2:30, and the third, the driver of the car was captured a short distance from town. The wounded pair were taken to the Sulpher Hospital. The dead man was identified as Fred Hamner, Wewoka. the wounded men are brothers, named Smalley and live at Sulpher, formerly living at Wewoka. The robbers were driving a Chevrolet coupe, 1932 model with license tag number 99-512. The car drove up to the bank about 2:30. Two men got out of the car while the third waited, and then came into the bank. Walking in, the two drew their pistols and walked behind the teller's window, demanding Charley Penner, cashier and Mrs.Dye, bookkeeper to lie down on the floor, while Hamner put all the money in a black handbag. The bank officials were then told to go with them, but Penner jumped into the vault, pulling Mrs. Dye after him, and slammed the door. One of the bandits shot at Penner, the bullet striking the door about an inch from the edge. Penner then turned on the bank alarm. Hamner and the elder Smalley brother, as they walked out the door to the sidewalk, took a shot at citizens at the Young's garage. The shots were returned and Hamner, who was carrying the suitcase fell dead, being struck in the back of the head on the right side, the bullet coming out between his eyes caving in the front part of his face. Smalley was shot in the head above the left eye. The driver of the car, a brother to Smalley, drove south from the bank about 75 yards, backed the car up about 40 feet and open fire on the citizens. While they were returning the fire, Smalley who was lying on the sidewalk crawled to his gun and was raising to shoot when a gun came down on his head. The driver of the car then went towards P. W. South's farm, south of Mill Creek. The Sheriff's office was notified and Deputy Sheriff Robert Donaldson and Under-Sheriff Pat Trotter hurried to Mill Creek. Trotter took charge of the wounded man, while Donaldson and Orb Bulman, of Mill Creek, started on the trail of the other wounded Smalley brother. Nearing the South farm the car was found with the bumper dragging, and a casing off. Leaving their car the officers trailed the wounded man by blood marks on the ground. His trail led to the creek and to South's barn. Separating to cover a timber spot, both officers came upon the bandit. A demand was made to" reach skywards" and the robber obeyed. Searching him, the officers found no gun, but 11 .45 pistol shells were taken from his pocket. Returning to the car the officers found a 12 gauge shot gun and a 30-30 rifle, both well oiled. Smalley was returned to Mill Creek and given medical aid. Deputy Donaldson and County Attorney Kenneth Clark, then accompanied the two wounded brothers to the Sulpher Hospital. the driver of the car was shot through the left arm above the wrist, and a flesh wound on the left leg above the knee and a wound on the back of his neck. Hamner, the dead robber, looked to be about 35 years of age, heavy-set, weighing about 165 pounds. He had a pin-striped suit on, and a pair of overalls and a lumber- jack over the suit. Seminole County authorities stated that Hamner was well known about the courts. The Smalley brothers now live in Sulpher, where one of them had been a patient of the Soldiers Hospital. They formerly resided at Wewoka. The one that was shot down at the bank, wore a growth of beard, a dark suit, he is not expected to live. The driver of the car wore a jacket, laced breeches, and leather boots. The robbery of the Mill Creek bank was the third. On July 11, 1927 the bank was robbed of $ 4,200. By two men, Jimmy Wilson was arrested, identified and given a 15 year sentence in McAllester. On the fourth day of September, 1931 the bank was robbed by 3 youths, Arthur Fraley and Luther Goodall were captured and confessed. They are serving a 10 year sentence at the state penitentiary. The third robber was not captured. There is also a reference to this incident in a book written by Michael Wallis Linda Bonham Hamner Murray/Jefferson County Coordinator/Archivist for the OKGENWEB Project lindacb@flash.net