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NORTH BERRIEN HISTORICAL SOCIETY

NEWSLETTER

Vol. III, No. 4

Hagar Bainbridge Coloma Watervliet

Winter 2011

The Great Millburg Bank Robbery


shot in the right heel, severing a tendon. The bandit It was around 9:20am on Saturday, February car escaped on a side dirt road toward Three Oaks 21, 1925 in rural Millburg, Michigan, when a black and then over the state line. At the farm of Jed DrollCadillac touring car with a group of young, wellinger, seven miles southwest of New Carlisle, the dressed men pulled up to the State Bank of Millburg. bandits stopped to ask directions Elizabeth Krietner and Ben Kral when the local Constable Elias had just opened the bank when Ackley and farmer Oscar Smith two men entered. One, armed caught up to them. Ackley began with a revolver, jumped the cage to question the men, but Smith and forced the two tellers into a did not hesitate to fire several back closet. The other hailed in rounds with a sawed off shotgun two more men who looted the into the car. Four of the men safe of $52,000 in bonds and abandoned their car and ran to $2,900 in cash. The subsequent hide in Drollingers barn and car chase, man hunt, and trial outbuildings. At this time the became one of the most dramatic South Bend Police arrived on the crimes of the 1920s in southwest scene and the outgunned men Michigan. Above: The Millburg State Bank in 1925 with were rounded up. The cashiers were able inset photo of Elizabeth Krietner. Berrien County Sheriff to notify authorities quickly. Below: Four of the six bank robbers, from Frederick Franz called them the Switchboards in the Twin Cities left to right, Frank King, James Long, most desperate men ever jailed alerted police throughout the Edward Murray, and Edward Sommers. here, for their willingness to region of the fleeing bandits. shoot their way to freedom. They The robbers raced away from the were held under $100,000 bonds scene at top speeds, heading first each and charged with Bank toward Benton Harbor before Robbery. The five men arrested turning south toward the Indiana were John Marshall, 26; Frank state line on icy rural roads. King, 31; James Long, 40; EdA blockade was erected ward Murray, 30; and Edward in Galien village by Deputy Sommers, 25. They were all Sheriff Con Allen and former known by several aliases and were suspected in other Deputy Sheriff Floyd Lintner. The car stopped and bank robberies throughout Michigan. Sheriff Franz the five bandits jumped out as they were ordered to surrender. A gun battle ensued in which Lintner was Continued on Page 3 300 Coloma Ave./ P.O. Box 207, Coloma, Michigan 49038 www.NorthBerrienHistory.org

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From the Directors Desk


By Alexander Gates Welcome to our new Office Manager, Ryan Nykamp, who began working at the North Berrien Historical Museum on October 4. Ryan is taking over the position of Gwen Elsner, who retired from the museum in July. Read more about Ryan on page 7. Remember that the Michigan legislature has eliminated the state income tax credits for charitable donations, effective January 1, 2012. You can still take advantage of this perk on donations prior to this date. Please consider making a charitable donation to NBHS this season our friends and members help us to provide our entire region with a great variety of events and educational programs free of charge. Id like to note several artifact donations this year that have enhanced our permanent collection. Page 4 tells more about contributions from the family of Dorothy Cannell. Norm Wilhemsen has donated multiple Paw Paw Lake objects including a large buoy used on the lake, which will be incorporated into a future display. Finally Bob Chaput has been a helpful intermediary for the Boy Scouts from North Berrien, bringing in many articles and photographs for us to digitize and keep for our research files. Every year I am amazed with creativity and talent of our Holiday Open House volunteers. Over 25 local businesses and organizations will decorate Christmas trees this year, adding their unique touch to the galleries. Wonderful musical performances will again fill the air with holiday cheer. Visitors are invited to utilize their own creative talents by decorating gingerbread houses throughout the weekend. This is our highest attended event of the year, which brings in visitors that may otherwise not visit the museum. New this year is our Holiday Lights & Music Gala on Thursday, December 1 from 6-8pm. The Gala is a rare chance to view our trees shining in full glory at night, experience outdoor luminaries, taste delicious local holiday treats, and hear live holiday music on mountain dulcimer, ukulele, guitar, and harp. This event is a fundraiser for NBHS, and tickets are available now at the museum. I hope to see you there! Finally, once again we are collecting unwrapped gifts for Toys for Tots and non-perishable items for the North Berrien Food Pantry up until the week of Christmas. Thank you to all of our members and volunteers who made 2011 a great year. Happy Holidays!

300 Coloma Ave. Phone: (269) 468-3330 P.O. Box 207 Fax: (269) 468-4083 Coloma, MI 49038 www.NorthBerrienHistory.org info@NorthBerrienHistory.org Connect with NBHS Online!
Become a fan on Facebook Curators Blog: NorthBerrienHistory.blogspot.com Twitter: Twitter.com/NBerrienHistory

North Berrien Historical Society Board of Directors


Scott Young Bennet Leedy Kandyce Hays Cindy Young Shirley Boone Ray Mays Marc Hettig Karin Miller Pauline Morris Sherry Polashak Tom Scheid Sally Williams Alexander Gates Tracy Gierada Ryan Nykamp President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Assistant Treasurer Director Director Director Director Director Director

Staff
Director / Curator Director of Education Office Manager

The mission of the North Berrien Historical Society is to preserve and distribute information regarding the history of North Berrien County. We wish to promote, encourage learning, and disseminate knowledge of the areas cultural and architectural legacy.

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Mark your Calendars!


Thursday, December 1, 6-8pm

All events are at the North Berrien Historical Museum unless otherwise noted.

Holiday Lights & Music Fundraising Gala. Enjoy seasonal treats and preview our 25 decorated trees in full brilliance at night. Hear live holiday music on a variety of instruments. Tickets are available at the museum for $12 in advance, or $15 at the door. North Berrien Holiday Open House. Free Admission, Santas Workshop, Gingerbread House decorating, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Cookie Walk, Favorite Tree Contest and more! See flyer for details.

December 2-4

Youth Internship Informational Meeting. Students in grades 7-12 and parents Monday, interested in our 2012 Youth Internship program are encouraged to join us for a brief December 19, 6pm informational meeting. Call the museum for more information on this program. Free. Thursday, December 29, 1-2:30pm Winter Time Travelers: Let it Snow! Experience winters of the past with fun, hands-on activities. Designed for ages 6-12; Family welcome. Only in case of a weather emergency, this will be held Dec. 30, 1-2:30pm. Free. Ice Age Imperials. A new exhibit at the Heritage Center in Saint Joseph takes you back to the prehistoric era when mammoths, giant beavers, and sabertooth cats lived among Paleo-Indians. Director Christina Hirn Arseneau and Upton Fellow Caitlyn Dial will discuss the Ice Age Imperials exhibit and programs. Free. Victorian Valentines Party. Bring the family for festive refreshments, games, and crafts. Be inspired by our collection of historic valentines, and create your own valentines to take home. Suggested Donation $3/person. The Great Millburg Bank Robbery, presentation by NBHS Executive Director Alex Gates. Travel back to 1925 and experience one of southwest Michigans most sensational crimes. Free. until the hour of their capture they did not hesitate to shoot at any or all persons who attempted to stop them. We do not hesitate in removing any person who has become a source of danger to peaceful citizens. While the stolen bonds were recovered from the Drollinger farm, the majority of the cash remained unaccounted for. The mystery of the missing money was solved in 1929 when James Kane was arrested and convicted as the sixth Millburg State Bank robber who had escaped during the chase. Kane was also sentenced to life in prison. Join us on Tuesday, February 21 as Executive Director Alex Gates presents an in-depth look at this infamous crime. By Alexander Gates Information and Images Courtesy of Will Nichols

Tuesday, January 17, 7pm

Saturday, February 11, 1-3pm Tuesday, February 21, 7pm


Continued from Page 1

became so worried about the five gangsters having powerful criminal allies, he purchased Berrien Countys first machine gun to guard the inmates. The trial was moved to Kalamazoo in exchange for trying all five men together. At 5am on May 11 the defendants were shackled together in heavy steel cuffs and transferred to Kalamazoo County Jail. The trial was short with the only defense being that the men were bootleggers caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. The jury took only a half hour to convict them all on May 16, 1925, and a half hour after the verdict they were sentenced. All five were sent to Marquette prison for life. The court read this statement by Judge Weimer, These men are potential murderers. From the time they left Millburg

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Education News
By Tracy Gierada NBHS reached 1,016 in school programs alone last year, and we are quickly on our way to exceeding that record during the 2011-12 school year. This fall, for the first time, I took the Coloma 4th graders on historical tours of Coloma Cemetery. The students enjoyed learning about people from the past and seeing memorials to their lives in the cemetery along with photos from the museums collection. We expect that these tours will now be a yearly tradition. The annual cemetery tours for Watervliet students have been postponed due to the construction on M -140, and will take place in April. The 3rd grade classes from Watervliet North Elementary visited the museum on November 9. In addition to covering our Native American, lumbering, and farming exhibits, we also explored the

Women in Baseball exhibit and imagined the Watervliet known by Maud Nelson a century ago. Teacher Kim Schaefer wrote to tell us, The kids had so much fun! You do a wonderful job of making the history come alive to the students! Thank you to volunteer guides Kathleen Walter and Joan Polaskey for helping to provide another great set of school tours at the museum. We have also seen a rise in the use of our Traveling Trunk programs. Before the new year the trunks will be used with 3rd graders at Coloma Elementary (Potawatomi Past & Present), Countryside Academy (Michigans Fruit Belt), and Watervliet North Elementary (Fur, Forest & Frontier Days). This year we are also offering Gingerbread House decorating for elementary classes in December, for $3 per house, and a number of groups are scheduled to visit for that fun activity in the week before Christmas.

Stark family made many contributions to local history


Dorothy Stark Cannell was well-known to longtime members of the North Berrien Historical Society, and her recent passing was marked with a celebration of her life at the museum. Many important NBHS projects and collections were derived from Dorothy and other members of the Stark family. Edward B. Stark (1842-1929) lived in Hartford and was an attorney for the Pokagon Potawatomi and other Michigan Indians, helping to settle dozens of tribal land claims and obtain compensation for his clients. He was the grandfather of Dorothy and her sister Allene, who once noted that Edwards work was motivated by his friendships with the Potawatomi since boyhood, and his own fathers stories of the misery and injustices suffered due to federal Indian Removal in the 1830s. Many Pokagon-related artifacts are in the museum today, educating generations of locals, thanks to the Stark family. Dorothy and Allenes parents were Allen and Mabel Branch Stark. Allen was linotype operator for the Coloma Courier. Mabel (1885-1976) wrote Trails from Shingle Diggins after more than 50 years of collecting stories from old-timers and pioneer families in North Berrien and was a founding member of NBHS. Dorothy (1914-2011) wrote a musical play Shingle Diggins Came First that was performed by community members. She also borrowed the title of her mothers book for a local history column in the Tri-City Record, which she wrote from 1994-99. As a member of NBHS, Dorothy contributed much to the 1992 publication Glimpses of the Past. Dorothys children Thom Cannell and Nancy Litaker have recently donated more of her belongings, including an original 1901 copy of Queen of the Woods by Simon Pokagon.

Left: Attorney Edward B. Stark of Hartford. Right: In 1938, Dorothy Stark appeared on the cover of Life magazine with her future husband Robert Cannell. The magazine was recently acquired by the museum.

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North Berrien Historical Society earns a State History Award


At the Historical Society of Michigans recent Annual Meeting and State History Conference, NBHS was honored with a State History Award for Outstanding Special Events. The State History Awards are the highest form of recognition presented by the states official historical society. Executive Director Alex Gates accepted the State History Award in Traverse City on September 23, 2011. The Award recognizes the Women in Baseball exhibit and events presented by NBHS this year, which included a civic festival, girls baseball tournament, and many educational programs. In addition to highlighting the story of Maud Nelson for locals, the project brought a number of out-of-state visitors to our area. Official press for the State History Awards also noted that Watervliet was the first community in the U.S. to commemorate a female baseball player in this fashion. A second State History Award for Special Events was also given to the Henry Ford Estate at Left: Historical Society of Michigan Trustee Kendall Wingrove and NBHS University of Michigan Dearborn Executive Director Alex Gates on September 23, 2011. Right: Maud Nelson for a landscape design symposium.
shows off our State History Award.

Online Survey Results


Seventy-eight individuals participated in our first online Members and Friends Museum Survey this fall. Questions asked specifically about publications and exhibition topics, aiming to gather opinions about what our supporters would like to see from NBHS. This information will help us chart a 5-year research and publications plan. Several important points stand out among the results. First, respondents are interested in seeing a new local history book produced to update and expand upon Trails from Shingle Diggins, of which our stock is nearly gone. The majority of survey-takers indicate that they would buy this new book at a cost of between $20 and $30, with a soft cover and casual writing style preferred. In terms of historical themes to explore in future exhibits and programs, there was high interest shown in Chief Pokagon and 1830s Indian Removal, early settlement at Shingle Diggins, railroads, Paw Paw Lake resorts, crime, and shipwrecks. The two historical places respondents were most interested in were the Watervliet Paper Mill and Crystal Palace. Sixty percent of those surveyed would like to see

Excerpt from Survey Results Question 6: How interested are you in these possible exhibit features? Rank topics from 1 to 5, with 1 being not interested and 5 being very interested. The highest interest was shown in: Possible Exhibit Outdoor history walking trail Detailed map of Paw Paw Lake history Historical video viewing area Stagecoach reproduction to enter Steamship reproduction to walk on Average 3.92 3.84 3.61 3.59 3.55

online exhibits and overall there was interest in utilizing new technologies. If you would like the chance to submit your own responses to this survey, a paper version is available at the museum upon request. As always if you have any further questions or comments feel free to contact the museum.

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Fall programs brought outdoor adventures and out-of-town visitors


This fall the museum offered many opportunities to explore beautiful, historic sights around our community, and to meet special visitors with personal knowledge and expertise in local history topics. Great weather and fascinating presentations helped attract old supporters and new faces alike to our programs. Wrapping up our Women in Baseball event series, the museum welcomed three women who were All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Players in the 1940s and 50s. Coming from the Muskegon and Grand Rapids areas, our guests told delightful stories of their days in uniform, showed a historic newsreel clip, and shared their baseball cards. Author Barbara Gregorich came from Chicago to speak at our Annual Dinner in October, and gave a highly entertaining account of her years of searching to re-discover Maud Nelsons forty-year professional career in baseball. A great Book Discussion of Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Dont Play Baseball was also held in cooperation with the Coloma Library. Historic buildings and landscapes were again the focus of the Tri-City Heritage Tour, organized for the second time by NBHS. On September 24, nine sites across the North Berrien and Hartford areas offered free tours, activities, and historical displays. Near the site of the dams removal project on the Paw Paw River, NBHS set up a tent for viewing historic maps, photos, and documents related to the Watervliet paper mill. The tent was graciously hosted by former employees of the paper mill, including George Lawton (Manager of Engineering), Milt Stibal (VP of Manufacturing), and Darrell Day (Marketing & Sales). Many thanks to all volunteers at the Tri-City Heritage Tour, also including Maggie Richter, Jan Sieber, Karin Miller, Carolyn McCoy, Will Nichols, Bill & Sue Moser, Rick Rasmussen, Fred Munchow,

Left to Right: Director of Education Tracy Gierada, Dolly Niemiec Konwinski (Grand Rapids Chicks/ Battle Creek Belles), Doris Cookie Cook (Kalamazoo Lassies/ South Bend Blue Sox), Rosemary Stevenson (Grand Rapids Chicks), and Executive Director Alex Gates.

Stephanie Daniels, Ted & JoAnn Tees, June, Dale & Sandy Nafziger, Kevin Hester, and Sam Monte. On October 29, large groups attended our Annual Halloween Cemetery Tours in Coloma and Watervliet. In Coloma, graves covered for the first time included Nathan Knapp, the cemeterys only War of 1812 veteran, and Laura Baker, a pioneer airline stewardess and namesake of Colomas downtown park. Graves discussed for the first time in Watervliet included Frank Sterner, a lifelong miller who brought the first electricity to Watervliet in 1905. Another new Watervliet story was that of Captain Lyman Feltus who helped usher in the Paw Paw Lake tourist era with his steamers Margaret (named for his daughter) and Gypsy, and his development of Edgewater Resort and the Wigwam Hotel. Phyllis Rose, a travel writer from the Kalamazoo Gazette, enjoyed our cemetery tours and visited the museum the following week to complete a feature article on NBHS.

Below, Left to Right: 1. The history tent at Hays Park, near the Watervliet dams removal project, provoked great discussions at the 2011 Tri-City Heritage Tour. 2. Inside the Coloma Interurban Station at the Tri-City Heritage Tour, a historical presentation begins. 3. Over forty people attended our annual Coloma Cemetery Tour in late October.

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New Office Manager joins museum


The North Berrien Historical Society has hired a new Office Manager, Ryan Nykamp, who began in early October. Office and membership administration, reception, and programs/ collections support are all part of his position. Be sure to introduce yourself the next time youre at the museum! Ryan graduated in 2005 with a B.A. in History and Business Administration from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. He also attended Western Michigan University, pursuing a Post-Baccalaureate in Secondary Education with an emphasis on Social Studies. Ryan was previously employed by Kaplan Test Prep in Kalamazoo and Better Way Imports in Zeeland. While at these companies, he worked in a variety of capacities, such as marketing, warehouse management, testing/training, and web development. Ryan currently lives in Holland with wife Effie, and their 5 year old Golden Retriever, Kody. He is an avid hiker and runner and enjoys Pyrography (wood-burning), reading, and spending time outdoors in his free time. He is now training for his first marathon next August in the Manistee National Forest.

North Berrien Historical Society Membership Form


Benefits include: Quarterly Newsletter, Advance invite to special events, and Members-only opportunities Name Address City, State, ZIP Phone E-mail

New Member Renewing Member

I may like to
Volunteer

Please check desired annual membership level.

Individual ($15) Student ($8) Family Donor ($50) Senior ($10)


Additional tax-deductible contribution: $________ Total Amount Enclosed: $________
Send your completed form along with your check to: North Berrien Historical Society P.O. Box 207, Coloma, MI 49038

Donations
Jean Fannin Kathleen Walter Rod Krieger Penny Hanks Suzanne Knutson Dave Kliss Margaret Schmieding John Reid

In Memory of Dorothy Cannell James & Mona Mackimmie Sally Williams Donald & Rheta Peters Thom Cannell Nancy Cannell Litaker Mary Alyce Hettig George & Francie Wooley Dolores Krenek In Memory of George Wooley Donald & Claire Wooley Dolores Krenek Alice Mow Linda Stibal Milt Stibal Scott Young Margaret Schmieding Belzora Bibs Page Joyce Kolenko Jan Sieber Marge DuVernay Judi White Dave Kliss Fran Konya Jim Polashak Sherry Polashak

Thank you to all the many donors to our Holiday Open House Cookie Walk!

New & Renewed Memberships


Eileen Healy Garry Lange Liz Lange Bob Becker Lenny Becker Janet Emhoff John Nelson Barbara Nelson Will Nichols Denise Barowicz Pauline Morris Norman Wilhelmsen Joan Polaskey Cindy Young Lori Carlson Donna Hays Irma Krieger David Buzzek Donna Janke John Janke

Thank you for your support!

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID Watervliet, MI Permit No. 29

P.O. Box 207, Coloma, MI 49038 Return Service Requested

Newsletter - Winter 2011

December 1
Holiday Lights & Music Gala
A Fundraiser with local holiday treats and live music by Carl Payne and Becky & Les Burford. Tickets: $12 in advance, $15 at the door Hagar Bainbridge Coloma Watervliet

December 2 - 4
Favorite Tree Contest
Free Admission, Santas Workshop crafts, Gingerbread House decorating, Live music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Cookie Walk www.NorthBerrienHistory.org

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