Westville Bank Robbery - November 30, 1902
Young Wesley Reynolds - Slain Hero

November 30, 1902
YOUTH WAS A HERO BOY BANK CLEARK FIGHTS TO GUARD GOLD -------------------

SLAIN BY BANK BURGLARS ---------

PIERCED BY THREE BULLETS BEFORE HE FALLS ---------

BANDITS FLEE AFTER CRIME ----------------

WESTVILLE, IND., STIRRED BY BLOODY DEED-

From the Fort Wayne News - Westville, Ind., Dec. 1 - During a heroic battle in defense of the caseh of the Westville State bank Wesley Reynolds was shot through the heart shortly beofre daylight yesterday morning by a member of a gang of robbers. Previous to receiving his death wound he had been shot through the head and again through the neck. Although one of the bullets causing these wounds shattered his chin, one tearing a big hole through to the base of the brain, while the other passed clear through his body, the faithful bank cleark fought onuntil he had emptied two revolvers in a vain effort to kill one or more of his four assailants.

His bravery prevented the looting of the bank. The robbers, one believed to be badly wounded, fled from the scene of death. A big posse has been pursuing them and a lynching is sure to result if the fugitives are captured. The citizens have offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest of the murderers.

BEER KEG STARTS THE BATTLE Reynolds was only sixteen years old. Aside from being a trusted cleark, he acted in the capacity of watchman, sleeping in the bank at night, with three revolvers within reach. Judging from appearances Reynolds was awakened yesterday morning by a crash at a rear window of the bank, near which he was sleeping. A beer keg was found in the place and it is the theory of the police that the robbers hurled it through the window in an effort to gain entrance to the bank.

The theives evidently not knowing the bank had an occupant at night. The The sound of crashing glass, broken pieces of which strewed the floor when the murder was discovered, brought young Reynolds to the rescue of his employers' funds. Apparently two of the robbers crept in through the shattered window and the moment Reynold could get a glimpse of a moving figure he opened fire. IS

OBJECT OF DOUBLE FIRE Bullet holes in the furnishings show that Reynolds must have fired at one robber who took refuge behind a counter. While he was shotting ta this man the other robber crept along the west wall of the bank and opened fire on Reynolds from the rear. The fire from behind diverted the clerk's attention an instant and the man behind the counter, who must have been close to him, brought his revolver into action. Which man inflicted the wounds that Reynolds received is not known, but it is certain the heroic guard received all his injuries while facing his foes.

Reynolds emptied two revolvers, but received his fatal wound before he could discharge his third weapon, which was found in his right hand when E.S. Smith, proprietor of the bank, entered the place at 7:15 o'clock. Ten empty cartridges were found on the floor where one of the robbers must have stood, these showing that the robber emptied and refilled his revolver at least twice during the battle. The empty shells were 44 caliber, muich larger than those in Reynold's weapons.

STEAL HORSE AND FLEE One of the bullets that struck Reynolds passed through his chin and lodged at the base of the brain. Another went into his neck, and turning downward, passed out of his body between the shoulder blades. The third bullet struck him in the heart and probably killed him instantly. Their victim dead, the robbers hurried from the bank to Charles Herrold's barn, where they stole a horse and surrey and prepared to leave town. After the tragedy was discovered some of the townspeople remembered hainv heard the sound of galloping horse on the road leading out of town.

Posses hasten in Pursuit. A passing citizen discovered the broken window of the bank and receiving no response to his shouts to Reynolds, notified Mr. Smith that something was wrong at the bank. Mr. Smith investigated and with fifteen minutes later the whole town knew of the tragedy. Posses were quickly organized. Those who had heard the noise of the running horse reported the fact. A little later armed men, mounted and in vehicles, were madly chasing in the direction taken by the murderers. Herrold's horse and surrey, which had been abandoned by the robbers, was found six miles south of the village. It was thought the fugitives might have boarded a Pennsylvania train at the coaling station near by and escaped in the direction of Chicago.

In hopes, however, that the men had decided to escape from that point on foot, the posses spread out and thoroughly searched the surrounding country. Young Reynolds was popular and his death arouse the village to frenzy. His father and mother and one sister are protrated by the shock due to his murder.

REYNOLDS FUNERAL - WESTVILLE, IND - December 3, 1902 W. Reynolds Funeral People of Westville paid tribute to a young hero. LaPorte, Dec 3, -- Wesley Trynolds, killed by robbers in the Smith Bank at Westville, was buried yesterday. The funeral was attended by every one in Westville. Business houses closed and men, women and children paid tribute to the youth who gave his life in defense of the bank. A Pinkerton Detective is at work on the attempted robbery. Although one of the robbers was wounded by young Reynolds, the detective does not think this will aid him in capturing them.

Home