November
19, 1920 – Three blocks from the Minnesota state penitentiary,
the home of Moses Bernstein in Oak Park was entered at 6:30 p.m. today and $50
in cash and a quantity of jewelry taken. The thieves refused to accept
government bonds.
Just as the Bernstein family, consisting of the father, mother and four children, were sitting down to supper, an automobile pulled up in front of their house. Four men stepped out of the car, leaving one man inside. The four men entered their house, covered the occupants with guns and compelled Bernstein to open a safe in the dining room. He brought out a number of government bonds that the men scrutinized, and then handed back. Jewelry valued at $300 and $50 in cash were taken. Two of the men searched the upper floor and took some additional jewelry from the bedrooms. Two sealskin coats were taken from the hall as the men were leaving.
The automobile was driven rapidly away as soon as the robbers got in it. It is supposed that the bandits expected to find a quantity of money in the house, Bernstein being thought to have cash on hand for use in his business as a junk dealer.
Before entering the house, the robbers had cut the telephone wire and when Bernstein tried to turn in an alarm, he found it necessary to go to a neighbor’s house half a block away. By the time the police arrived, the bandits had a good head start.
The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Bandits Hold Up Family
of 6 in Stillwater Home; Gunmen Enter Residence, Rob Occupants Sitting at
Supper Table. Trio Passes Up Government Bonds, But Take Cash, Jewelry and
Coats.”; Nov. 20, 1920; p. 14.Just as the Bernstein family, consisting of the father, mother and four children, were sitting down to supper, an automobile pulled up in front of their house. Four men stepped out of the car, leaving one man inside. The four men entered their house, covered the occupants with guns and compelled Bernstein to open a safe in the dining room. He brought out a number of government bonds that the men scrutinized, and then handed back. Jewelry valued at $300 and $50 in cash were taken. Two of the men searched the upper floor and took some additional jewelry from the bedrooms. Two sealskin coats were taken from the hall as the men were leaving.
The automobile was driven rapidly away as soon as the robbers got in it. It is supposed that the bandits expected to find a quantity of money in the house, Bernstein being thought to have cash on hand for use in his business as a junk dealer.
Before entering the house, the robbers had cut the telephone wire and when Bernstein tried to turn in an alarm, he found it necessary to go to a neighbor’s house half a block away. By the time the police arrived, the bandits had a good head start.
Photo
taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public
domain Feb. 28, 2016,
as long as acknowledgement included.
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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.
If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records, birth records, death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records. I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MNHS records. Both short searches and family history reports available.
Discover your roots, and watch the branches of your family tree begin to grow.
Website: TheMemoryQuilt.com > click on Family History
Contact me at: pjefamilyresearch@gmail.com
