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Virgil
Untied Story
The
phone in City Hall has been very busy lately with information coming in
about Virgil Untied. It
seems to be that the infamous Bonnie & Clyde gang may have been
active right here in Minburn!
Virgil’s
two surviving daughters, Doris Bender of Billings, Montana, and Afton Gibson
of Pleasant Hill, Iowa,
have spoken with me about
their suspicions. However,
here’s what we now know for sure:
On
that hot night of July 23, 1931, Lena West, Minburn Telephone Operator, heard noises coming from
the adjoining building, the Gottschalk Grocery Store, and alerted
Virgil. Virgil, his brother, Jasper Untied, and William Hagenstein
armed themselves and went to investigate.
Three robbers had parked their Ford at the Minburn Oil
Company, and, after robbing them of tires, cash and cigarettes, had moved
on to the Butler Garage where they took $5 from the cash register.
Heading to the Gottschalk’s store, they broke the safe and lifted $20
and then headed to Shaw Grocery.
They had just broken in when they saw Virgil approaching by the
store. Jasper and William
had stationed themselves at the corners of the store.
Without warning, they opened fire on Virgil.
He was struck 5 times and crawled across the railroad tracks to
the shelter of the station platform.
After a shootout, the robbers escaped in their car and fled for
Des Moines. Pursued by
Jasper and others, they were halted at Black’s Corner north of Adel
where there was another shootout. But,
according to records, nobody was apprehended.
Three cars of police from Des Moines were sent to aid in the
search on Thursday but to no avail. Virgil’s widow and children struggled by on $60 a month for six years (compensation for their loss). Both Doris and Afton are anxiously awaiting news about their father’s inclusion on the Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Stop into City Hall for more info and to see the old newspaper pictures! |
