Mae'r Lladrad Ymddiriedolaeth Meramec yn 1919

Ar ddydd Iau, Mehefin 12, 1919, Iarll Hunter a Charles Bergman, yn parolee a chyn-euogfarnu, dal i fyny y Cwmni Ymddiriedolaeth Meramec yn fuan ar ôl iddi agor yn 07:00 a.m. The robbery was not well planned and even more poorly executed. Gornel Virginia Avenue a Heol Meramec yn un o'r blociau ceir ar y stryd prysuraf yn y ddinas. The robbers had barely gotten their loot and headed towards the street, when they spotted a police sergeant.

The police sergeant, William O’Brien, was the brother of Chief O’Brien. 1919 i 1921 was particularly rough for police officers including Chief O’Brien who was shot by burglars in October 1919.

Hunter and Bergmann fired at Sgt. O’Brien. O’Brien returned fire alerting other First District policemen. The getaway driver, Alvin West, pulled away and left Hunter and Bergmann. Hunter and Bergmann later stated they thought all of South St. Louis was chasing them.

They tried to steal a passing wagon but it tipped over less than a block away. Hunter and Bergmann then broke into 4526 Minnesota Avenue. They went to the second floor but all the policeman descending on the house panicked the robbers. After slamming the door in the police officers’ face, they retreated to the rear of the house.

Hunter and Bergmann observed Sgt. William Smith directing officers. Taking advantage of superior position, they shot him in the head and chest from the first floor. Running to the basement, they observed Patrolman Thomas Ward came down the outside steps to the basement.

Hunter and Bergmann had the advantage of cover. They shot Ward in the abdomen and stole Ward’s pistol before fleeing the basement. Ward died the morning of the shooting. Smith would die a month later after being promoted to Lieutenant.

Hunter and Bergmann exhausted their 72 rounds of ammunition. Policemen tackled Hunter in a backyard on Neosho. Bergmann got to a backyard off the intersection of Dakota Street and Michigan Avenue behind Minnesota Avenue but he was captured by Sgt. O’Brien. Over $1100 was recovered from Bergmann’s clothing, which he apparently intended to hide from Hunter. Ward’s pistol was found in the ash pit of the backyard.

Cyfaddefodd Hunter a Bergmann i'r lladrad a chyfres o droseddau dros y misoedd diwethaf. Hunter and Bergman were sentenced to life, escaping the death penalty, tra y dedfrydwyd West i 30 blynyddoedd.

Hunter oedd 23 mlwydd oed. Byddai yn gwasanaethu ei ddedfryd hyd Mehefin 27, 1946, pan gafodd ei barôl. Cwblhaodd ei barôl yn 1951. Bu farw Hunter ym mis Hydref 4, 1970.

Bu farw Bergman yn ysbyty'r carchar ym mis Ebrill 12, 1942. Roedd yn 45 mlwydd oed.

West yn paroled i mewn 1935 ond aeth i drafferth gydag awdurdodau ffederal. Treuliodd amser cyn cael ei barôl am resymau meddygol yn 1954. Mae'n bosib bod Alvin West wedi marw yn Kansas City ym mis Awst 4, 1968.

Thomas Ward was 52 years old and took care of an invalid sister at 3627A Missouri Avenue in a four-family flat. William J. Smith was also 52 years old and was married. He and his wife owned a house at 3540 Vista Avenue, where he passed away due to his injures. Smith was born on Christmas Day 1866.

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