Dexter Bank Robbery

The Dexter bank robbery mystery has been solved and the solution is a peculiarly sad one, bringing sorrow to the hearts of many. From the beginning there were various things developed tending to discredit the story told by young Orla C. Gregory, the assistant cashier of the bank, who, according to his own story had been confronted by two masked men with revolvers who compelled him to open the safe and aftenvards sandbagged him and locked him in the vault. It was early discovered by Deputy Sheriffs Peterson, Stebbins and Dwyer, who have been in charge of working the case that both the front and back doors of the bank were locked. The burglars did not make their exit from the front door within seven minutes of the time that Cashier Newkirk arrived, as the man who had first wanted his check cashed that morning had been standing across the street that length of time and saw no one come out. According to the time Gregory arrived at the bank as given by others than Gregory himself and the time required to unlock the safe, the reputed masked burglars must have left within that time. They could not have gone out the back door, as that was not only locked but a coat was thrown up against on the inside to keep out the mind. These facts clearly printed to the fact that the story of masked robbers was a myth. These facts were made known to the bank officials who were urged to allovv search warrants to be secured and have Gregory arrested and confronted with the facts. Sheriff Brenner, from his sick bed, sent for one of the bank directors and urged the same course. But the bank directors who had known Gregory all his life would not credit the, to them, astounding suspicion. The deputy sheriffs could findabsolutely no other clue and finally told the bank directors that they would have to return to this city and attend to the trial of cases in the circuit court, the sheriff being unable to leave his bed. Deputy Sheriff Peterson advised Director Chase of the bank to cali in a Detroit detective and rcommended officer Baker. Baker arrived in Dexter, Monday night and spent most of the night with Peterson, Chase and Stebbins. The local officers told Baker the various clews and he at once agreed with them that everything pointed to the the fact that it was clearly impossible for two masked men to have robbed the bank in the manner described by Gregory. It was agreed also that the heavy bags of coin must be about the bank building. On Tuesday, Detective Baker and Dr. Chase made a very thorough search, of the back room of the bank and behind a washstand, Dr. Chase found the two bags of silver. Cashier Newkirk sent for Gregory and he was taken to Dr. Chase's office, where Detective Baker accused him of the crime and confronted him with the bags of coin. He turned deadly pale, reeled and exclaimed: "I did it myself." He then told where the bilis were hidden, a big roll being in a coat at his house and the balance in his secretary at the house. The gold was found hidden behind some papers in the vault. The amount covered was $3,160.50 or just five cents less than the amount missed. Gregory then made a full confession in which he said he had contemplated the deed from Monday until Thursday and just before Cashier Newkirk arrived líe had hidden the money and struck his head against the vault door, producing a bruise. The people, when the story began to get out around the village, at first, absolutely refused tobelieveit. Gregory had been born and had always lived there. He had always born a good character, had lived an exemplary life and had no vices or bad habits. He was treasurer of the village, treasurer of the Congregational church and treasurer of the Knights of Maccabees. He was a little over twenty three years old and had married a daughter of Charles VanRiper, of Webster, and had a happy home. The strange thing about it was the apparent lack of motive on Gregory's part. When his sorrow strickeri father asked him why he did it, he replied, "I don't know." "ff you wanted money, why didn't you come to me?" he asked. "I didn't need money," Orla replied, ' I had money in the bank." Hisreply was correct as he had quite a sum of money to his credit. His father and father-in-law are both well-todo and his father was about building him a new house. He was the favorite grandchild of his grandmother, who, also, has abundant means and had he needed money, he could have had it for tliL asking. His life in Dexter was open and no one knows of any reason why he was in need of it. His mother fainted when the sad news was told her and his young wife has been in hysterics ruuch of the time since. His grandmother and father were also prostrated with grief. Gregory was taken home and officer Bell left to watch him. He recognized his mother when he first entered the house but since that time has recognized no one. He is in a terrible state physically. Every nerve quivers. Not for a moment are his hands, feet, head or body quiet. His mind wanders and he is in a very precarious condition. Dn. V. C. Yaughan was called to see him and said last night that it was very questionable whether he ever recovered his mind. At first it was supposed by some that he might be shamming, but Dr. Chase said yesterday that there was no question but that his mind was wandering and that it was utterly impossible for there being any sham about his dangerous physical condition. The only explanation that can be given for the robbery was that Gregory was insane at the time. His grandmother on the mother's side, it is said, was in that condition at the time of her death. It is a sad sequel to the story of the bank robbery, and the sorrow stricken families, who have always stood high in this county, have the heartfelt sympathy of everyone in their sad afüiction. Hon. J. V. N. Gregory and Charles Van Riper united in a note of $1,000 to protect the bank from any expences growing out of the discovery of the money, so that the only ones to suffer are the relatives of the unfortunate young man'. Cashier Newkirk thinks that the rewards offered belong to Deputy Sheriff Peterson and the other local officers.