Howard M. Hayes, Grenola, Kas., Killed
After Responding to Burglar Alarm; Men
in High-Power Car Cause Suspicion.
WINFIELD, Kas., Dec. 27, 1921.-Howard M. Hayes, 27 years old,
cashier of the Grenola, Kas., State bank, was shot to death early
Tuesday by Lou Downs, night watchman of the bank, who mistook Hayes
for a robber. Hayes had been summoned by the watchman to
investigate a report the bank was about to be robbed by
bandits.
Orders to shoot to kill and ask questions afterwards had been given
Downs, and he fired, when he heard someone enter the bank. The
bullet hit Hayes.
The watchman saw a high-powered motor car stop in front of the bank
Tuesday morning. He called the cashier by phone as one man from the
car went upstairs to a hotel office and the others waited In the
street.
Hayes called Deputy Sheriff Harry Berry and Councilman Fred
Marshall and the three went to aid the watchman. After Hayes was
shot as he was entering the building, he was placed on a train
bound for Winfield, but died before the train reached here. The
body was taken back to Grenola on the next train.
Hayes was not married. His father, E. M. Hayes. lives at Glasgow,
Mo. |
