Ang Meramec Tiwala looban sa 1919

Sa Huwebes, Hunyo 12, 1919, Earl Hunter at Charles Bergman, isang parolee at ex-mapatunayang may sala, gaganapin up ang Meramec Trust Company sa ilang sandali pagkatapos na ito binuksan sa 07:00 a.m. The robbery was not well planned and even more poorly executed. Ang sulok ng Virginia Avenue at Meramec Street ay isa sa mga pinaka-abalang mga bloke ng kalye kotse sa lungsod. 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 upang 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.

Kinumpirma nina Hunter at Bergmann sa pagnanakaw at isang serye ng mga krimen sa nakalipas na ilang buwan. Hunter and Bergman were sentenced to life, escaping the death penalty, habang si West ay pinarusahan 30 taon.

Si Hunter ay 23 taong gulang. Magsisilbi siya sa kanyang pangungusap hanggang Hunyo 27, 1946, nang siya ay paroled. Natapos niya ang kanyang parol 1951. Namatay si Hunter noong Oktubre 4, 1970.

Namatay si Bergman sa ospital ng bilangguan noong Abril 12, 1942. Siya ay 45 taong gulang.

West ay na -parol sa 1935 ngunit nahihirapan sa mga awtoridad ng pederal. Gumugol siya ng oras bago maging paroled para sa mga kadahilanang medikal sa 1954. Maaaring namatay si Alvin West sa Kansas City noong Agosto 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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