11 a.m. and noon retelling of 1933 bank robbery will be authentic
Seven eye-witnesses of the 1933 John Dillinger robbery of Citizens National Bank, Bluffton, will be portrayed by family members during the Saturday, Aug. 12, retelling of the robbery in downtown Bluffton.
Seven eye-witnesses of the 1933 John Dillinger robbery of Citizens National Bank, Bluffton, will be portrayed by family members during the Saturday, Aug. 12, retelling of the robbery in downtown Bluffton.
The event is part of Bluffton History Day, recalling the 90th anniversary of the Dillinger robbery that took place Aug. 14, 1933, when Dillinger escaped with $2,100.
Family participants are: • Jenny Bogart Donges as Harry Bogart, her grandfather
• Marilyn Murray Shelly as Dode Murray, postmaster, her great-uncle
• Neil Hauenstein as Edgar Hauenstein, pharmacist, his great-uncle
• Jim S. West as James and Bob West, son of James and nephew of Bob West
• Beth Raeburn as Sam Bixel, dry goods store owner, her great-grandfather • Julia Triplehorn, as Charles Triplehorn, her great-great grandfather
• Josiah Triplehorn, as Fred Zehrbach, his great-uncle
Lobby of Citizens National Bank in the 1930s
In addition, three other persons will stand in for other robbery eye-witnesses and one will portray a gang member standing on Main Street. They are:
• Kevin Gratz as a Dillinger gang member on the street • David Rodabaugh, Allen County Municipal Judge, as Clarence "Ted" Biery, Bluffton News editor
• Cassidy Bush as Fairie Stager, Siefield's Bakery employee • Don Burris as Harvey Shine, on Presbyterian side of Main Street
Robbery retellings take place at a 11 a.m. and again at noon at the corner of Main and Church streets, where the 1933 robbery took place. Fred Steiner is the moderator of the presentation.
Jesse Henry performs at Greenhorn
Additional events: • Shannon Theatre will provide a free 10 a.m. matinee of the movie “Public Enemies,” starring Johnny Depp.
• Several 1930-era and earlier vehicles will be on display on Main Street
• A book signing of the 90th anniversary edition of “Four guys walk into a Bluffton bank…and the rest is Bluffton oral history,” by Fred Steiner. Booklet are $10 each at an information book near the farmers’ market.
• Dillinger wanted posters with your photo on it will be available print-on-site. This feature will be available during the 11 a.m. and noon retelling of the Dillinger bank robbery. R.A. Staton Photography of Bluffton will take mug shots and place them on the wanted poster "while you wait." The cost is only $5 per poster.
Events continue at Greenhorn Restaurant on Vine Street
• 4 p.m. to midnight, Prohibition-era cocktails, street food and regular menu in the atmosphere of a 1930s-era Speakeasy
• 6:30 p.m. – Retelling of the Bluffton Dillinger robbery by Fred Steiner
• 7 p.m. – Music by Jesse Henry, Bluffton native, performing "The Ballad of John Dillinger.” Nancy Corle-Agner and Phil Gratz will perform following Jesse Henry
Bluffton History Day sponsors are • Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, • Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co., • Greenhorn Restaurant, • Bluffton Icon and • BlufftonForever.com.
Print-on-site Dillinger wanted posters will be available for $5. PR Staton Photography of Bluffton will take the photos.
