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The Wingham Advance-Times, 1962-11-29, Page 22Pa e 22--Wingharn Advance-Times,Thursday, Nov, 29, 1962 Bandits' Prisoner Telis of Capture During Holdup The following story was writ- ten by J. S. Bard, a student in journalism at the Ryerson Insti- tute of Technology in Toronto and a friend of John Merkley and Wayne Brown of Wingham. Mr. Bard was a visitor at the home of Wayne Brown over the week -end, and while here sub- mitted the story of the Toronto Bank of Montreal holdup as re- lated by Ken Chettleburg. 0--0--0 In Toronto, Monday, Nov- ember 19, three men attemp- ted to rob the Yonge and Front Street branch of the Bank of Montreal. Their goal was $25, 000 in the vault, which would have opened automatic- ally had they waited only two minutes more. The attempt failed when a teller escaped and called police. When the police arrived, they shot it out in a western -style gun battle with another teller. Both thought the other was a robber. In the confusion, the would-be robbers quietly disappeared. During this dramatic comedy of errors, Ken Chettleburgh, 20, a graduate of Wingham high school and presently a bank teller in Teeswater, was held captive with 44 other bank employees in the base- ment. Here is his story. It was 8:45 on that cool and windy Monday morning when Ken and his three roommates reached the side entrance of the bank. A fast subway ride had brought them from their YMCA room and they joked about being early for a change. Ken pushed the buzzer by the door; the signal for theuni- formed bank messenger to open it. They had been instructed to do this on the first day of the two-week staff training course they were attending in the building, because the bank was locked until 10 o'clock each morning and their classes began at nine. "The man who answered the door wasn't the usual one," said Ken, who described him as of medium height and with dark hair. But no suspicion was aroused and the four walk- ed to the stairs followed by the messenger. "Your instructor wants you downstairs this morning," the anessenger said softly. He placed his hand on one of the fellow's arms. The young man pulled free from his grasp, for as he explained later, "I just don't like anyone grabbing me by the arm." This brought an unexpected reaction from the messenger. "Get going!" he snarled, pulling a pistol from his belt and jamming it into the man's back. _ ask your DRUCC/ST for- �.N o N NIXON'S ... PELLA REX -fo ✓ STOPS SCOURS De PREVENTS IRON DEFICIENCW ✓ CONTROLS SCURFINESS ✓ INSURES TOP WEIGHT GAINS PELLAGREX PASTE THE SAFE WAY TO. IRON YOUR PIGS. DIXON LABORATORIES LTD. pyNNtRf.LL ONT. McKibbons Pharmacy PHONE 53 - WINGHAM pipe, which ran the length of the hall. "He was a real gentleman,'" said Ken of his captor, who was called "Frank" by hiscom- panion with the .45. " He told me to hold my hands out front while he put the chain on and then asked whether it was too tight or not. It wasn't, 'cause I had my hands far enough apart when he chained them", he added. The chain was secured with a small pad- lock. His companions were similarity trussed except for the chap next to Ken, whose wrists were bound with a rope. "Frank" then blindfolded the bound men. "It was then I knew it was a robbery for sure" , said Ken, who had become less and less sure of his original thought that this was a bank exercise since seeing the gun for the first time. "I wasn't worried though," he said. "After all, they were after money, not out to harm us." But Ken's world had shrunk to the much smaller world of the near blind. He could only tell what was happening by Ken saw the pistol and obey- ed. "But I didn't take them too seriously," he said. "I thought it was just part of the bank training to see how we would react under strain." They walked ahead of the messenger to the stairs and be- gan the slow decent. "Keep your heads down!" the gunman barked. Ken glanced down the steps and saw a man leaning against the wall at the foot of the stairs. He held a .45 auto- matic pistol in his hand. Along the wall facing him, sat a row of bank employees and persons attending thecourse, All were chained and blind- folded. The phoney messenger waved his gun and ordered'the four to the end of the corridor, which leads to the staff lounge. "I still figured this was part of the course," said Ken. "You sure don't figure on walkin' into something like this in the morning." The four young men were then ordered to sit on the water ormes sv SHUIIGAIN FEEDS 2:Farm „-- Tested -r. SHUR-GAN FEEDS ARE FARM TESTES and through the work done at the farm, SHUR-GAIN has proven that cattle should have minerals free choice at all times. SHUR-GAIN Essential Mineral for Cattle has a guaranteed analysis, and is priced realistically. Remember! You should never pay more than about $5.00 per cwt. for cattle mineral. See us now for all your winter Feeding Needs. Wingham Feed Mill PHONE 142 - WINGHAM looking out a narrow slit at the bottom of his blindfold, and by listening to the strange sounds. in the basement prison. "Frank" , the fake bank mes- senger, returned to the first floor to intercept more employ- ees and the man with the pickle plated .45 stood guard. "Frank" addressed him as "John". "Is anyone warm?" asked "John". No one answered. Ken and his companions were warm, 'however, for as he wryly put it, "we still had our overcoats on and we were sit- ting on a hot water pipe. It was darned uncomfortable." His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of more captives who were ushered into the staff lounge at the end of the corri- dor. Ken could see their feet and a little bit of their legs as they passed; high heels, suede shoes, black leather men's shoes and then the high boots and the red stripe of the motor- cycle policeman. "When I saw they had captured a cop, I knew we were in real trouble", he said. He later learned that two policeman had been captured and put in the lounge• although he only saw one pass by. They had answered the alarm which was triggered when the robbers forced the bank employees to begin to open the vault. As more employees were captured they were put in the staff lounge. "The robbers were really thorough", Ken re- marked. " They even put their own lock on the door before the people started arriving." Frank called the robber up- stairs. "Do you know the cops have got this place surrounded?' All was silent and then a slight stir passed through the ranks of the captives. "Don't anybody get ideas" , John barked, "This .45 doesn't feel too good." KEN CHETTLEBURGH TELLS of his hour as a prisoner as he talks to John Merkley and Wayne Brown (standing) who are both students at Ryerson in Toronto, and William Crawford, Metro- politan Toronto Police Cadet. All are residents of Wingham. Ken kept this chain and his blindfold as a souvenir of the robbery attempt. — Photo by J. S. Bard. Black Knig Elect Offic Wingham Royal Black ceptory No, '194 held in meeting on Monday eve with the Worshipful Prec Sir Knight Carl Johnston; siding. Scripture was re Sir Knight William Peac and the Worshipful Prete welcomed distinguished Very Worshipful Sir Kni Ilam MacAlwain of Bayfi county master for Huron, Right Worshipful Sir Knig Walter Scott of Belgrave, Censor of the Grand Blae Chapter of Ontario West, Sir Knight MacAlwaii a very interesting and ini tive address for the good order. Sir Knight Scott of his many visits and du a Black Knight. The election of office conducted by the county ter with the following el Worshipful Preceptor, C; Johnston; Deputy Precept John McInnes; Chaplain, bur Hogg; Registrar, Geo Brooks; Treasurer, C. G, fatt; 1st Lecturer, Willi Peacock; 2nd Lecturer, Hutton; lst Censor, 'Harp Moffatt; 2nd Censor, Rob Spotton; 1st Standard Be Elmer Bruce; 2nd Standa Bearer, Henry Wheeler; P vant, Percy Hogg; comm R. Sanderson, Richard J more of the captives were freed by themselves or with help. Suddenly the booming of gunshots echoed from upstairs. Everyone scurried to the lounge end of the hall. "That kept us in the base- ment for awhile", said Ken with a smile. "But I wasn't really frightened until the shooting started. I thought they might come down for hos- tages." After the fusillade ended, which was the now famousgun- battle between police detec- tives and the bank teller, Ken and some of the more intrepid captives filed slowly to•the stairs and started to mount them. Their slow advance was stopped with, the appearance of a plain clothed policeman wearing a gas mask and brand- ishing a shot gun. "I thought it was a robber at first" , said Ken. " They might have antici- pated tear gas and had the gas masks with them since they were so well organized." The detective stopped them from coming up from the base- ment until the search for the robbers in the bank was finish- ed. "When we finally got up- stairs we had to run through the tear gas. You can't see it but it bites and,burns the eyes. They blur all over and you can't see. We were all crying by the time we were outside". The Metro police whisked them all to the main station for questioning, for clues on the robbers' identity and for finger- printing. This was done to en- able the police to distinguish the employees fingerprints from those of the robbers. And with that the excite- ment of Ken's most memorable day ended. "But we got the rest of the day off' said Ken, "with pay." Election in Howick Twp. for Council and School Board Nobody moved. Ken sat quietly. He des- cribed his feelings in this fash- ion. "You just don't seem to be a part of it at all. It's hard to believe that you are right in the middle of something you would only see in the movies or read in a pocket novel." "Let's get out of here". The call startled Ken from his thoughts. It was Frank calling down to John. The sounds of John's retreating footsteps echoed in the concrete cata- comb. Then two shots rang out. "They were really loud" , said Ken. " Not a sharp crack like you hear outside, but a booming sound. They echoed in the building. We took off our blindfolds then and I got my hands free. The fellow next to me helped." Someone slipped the bolt on the lounge door releasing the frightened captives. The two policeman walked around the cornet to the stairs as more and Community Hight DONNYBROOK Baptisms were conducted at the United Church service Sun- day morning. Ellen Louise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Thompson; Brian John, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Snowden and Gerald Charles, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Jefferson were the children baptized. Mrs. J. C. Robinson of Wingham spent some time last week with Mr. and Mrs. Ed- ward Robinson and family. Mrs. Lola Atchison, Mrs. Doug Williams, Lynne, Carol, Don- na and Sandra all of London, visited last Sunday at the same home. Mrs. Cecil Chamney of Wingham visited a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Sam Thome• son and family. GORRIE--Reeve Ivan Haskins and Deputy Reeve Robt. Gibson were returned by acclamation at the Howick Township nomin- ation meeting in Gorrie com- munity hall on Friday, with an attendance of 125. Warren Zurbrigg acted as chairman. Reeve Clifford Dunbar of Grey Township brought greetings. Councillors nominated for three council seats were James Inglis, Harvey McMichael, Hartwell Strong and Frank King. Trustees Stuart Douglas, Clare Harris and Leonard San- derson, will again run for school board, with Robert Searson and Crawford Gibson contesting. ' All candidates qualified and election day will be held on December 3. Reeve Ivan Haskins and De- puty Reeve Robt. Gibson re- ported on the County work of the Children's Aid Society, Huronview at Clinton, roads and property and the high- lights of the Warden's commit- tee findings. High School board members gave trustees reports of Listowel High School with Stuart Douglas reporting in absence of T. J. Schaefer; Norwell High School at Palm- erston by Wm. F. Campbell and Wingham District High School by Gordon Moir. ST. HELENS Mr. and Mrs. Alex Nolan of Regina and Mr. and Mrs. Wes. Whytock of Teeswater were re- cent visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Allan Miller. Mr. and Mrs. Don. Cameron, Barbara and Colin moved to the United Church manse on Friday. Rev. and Mts. Green and Gordon moved to the,,Todd farm sometime ago'from the manse. Mrs. Lorne Woods is visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Ray Hawley and baby daughter in Oshawa. Mr. Terry Wilson from UWO in London was home over the week- end. Mr. and Mrs. Barry Mc- Quillin of Kitchener spent Sun- day with his parents Mr. and Mrs. Fred McQuillin. Draws Big Crowd LAKELET—The W. I. held a community nite on Wednesday evening in the Women's Insti- tute hall with a large crowd in attendance. President, Mrs. Cliff Hallman opened the meet- ing with "0 Canada" and the Institute Ode, followed by words of welcome. A quartette sang several numbers. Mem- bers of the quartette were Gra- ham Wright, Gordon Wright, Ken Kettman and Stuart Doug- las. A humorous reading was giv- en by Mrs. John Baylor of Gor- rie and was much enjoyed. An- other reading that was especial- ly enjoyed by the school child- ren was given by Mrs. Lyle Murray. McIntosh UCW Plans Bazaar LAKELET--The November meeting of the U.C.W. of McIntosh was held on Wednes- day at the home of Mrs. Alan Darling. The meeting opened with a hymn, followed by the devotional period led by Mrs. Jack. Ferguson. Seventeen ladies answered the roll call, which was "A Musical Instru- ment from the Bible." The president conducted the business portion of the meeting and,the treasurer's report was given. It was decided to hold a bazaar at the December meet, ing in the church basement. Mrs. Gordon Wright read the last chapter from the study book "Signals of the Sixties" , and the meeting closed with a prayer. A delicious lunch was served by the committee in charge. Gordon McGavin of Walton delighted the audience with motion pictures and slides that he had taken on his recent trips to Russia, France and Holland. A bountiful lunch was served at the close of the evening by the committee in charge. t1000 e thele. f the thl BvsIr DEQ to Bjv cervico NAIL Cont k C PRESN a1 Oxial GH -Fori ' T Sl/a- -- VIE s' KY 's 3- rma Milo Casemore and Athol Bruce. The officers were ins! by Right Worshipful Sir K Scott, after which lunch served by the Wingham BLUEVALE Mr. and 'Mrs. Alex. S of Detroit and Mr. and Spence McKinnon and fa of Niagara Falls, were w end visitors with Mr. and R. H. McKinnon. Mr. and Mrs. Elmo of Toronto, were Sunday tors at the home of Mr, Mrs. Jos. Greenaway. Miss Shirley Johnstat Stratford Teachers' Co was practice teaching 5, of Wingham Public last week. Mr. and Mrs. George erington attended a re -u the Jenkins families in W Willis Church, Clinton, week when Dr. Jenkins, London, recounted hiss in gaining information to the family tree on his cent trip to Wales. Box Social for 'Friendship Club LAKELET-The MacBel Friend- ship Club's November meeting took the form of a box social, the proceeds of which will be sent as a Christmas gift to the Korean orphans. Host and hos- tess for the evening were Mr. and Mrs. Jack Ferguson. Guest of the meeting was the Rev. J. Hicks of Teeswater, formerly of Nova Scotia, and he gave a very interesting ac- count of his home province. Lunch was served at the close of the meeting by the hostess. Umbrella Care Don't count on showers to wash away the dust that collects along umbrella folds and will, in time, tot the fabric. Sponge the open umbrella with warm water and mild detergent, rinse, then dry the metal spokes with a soft cloth to prevent rusting. Leave open to dry. LAKELET Week -end visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Wright were Mr. Jerry Rollings and son Jim- my of Ilderton. Mrs. Kenneth Connolly and children of Mitchell visited with her parents, Mr, and Mrs. Don Webber this past week. Sunday visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Warren Zurbrigg were Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Roszell of Fergus, Mr. and Mrs. Leon Schneider and Peggy Anne of Gowanstown, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hibbert and Mr. and Mrs. Ray Kennedy and family of Fordwich. Mr. Otto Dahtns and Mr. Oliver Kamrath of Mildmay visited with Mr. and Mrs. Gor- don McKee on Sunday. Sunday visitors with Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Metzger were Mrs. Esther Smith and daughter and Mr, Lloyd Metzger all of Pal- m erston. around the -- Fire H The collection for the cular dystrophy fund was most successful so far. twenty firemen took part the canvass and the peopl the community generous! nated $502.77. The call in the stores have not be picked up, so the totalw run even higher. Since! thanks are extended to th lectors and the contribu this worthy cause. 0--0--0 The firemen's monthl was made by Michael Fl and won by Bert Moffat o Teeswater on ticket num 93. The prize was a bea transistor radio, There another draw next month 0--0--0 Fires during the mon November: November 1 Stuart Douglas, Howick, stack; November 7, false alarm; November 9, E1gi Turnberry, tractor; Nove 18, Murray Gerrie, Wing space heater; November Mrs. L. Demerling, Ford space heater. 0--0--0 Firemen and their Wiv be at the fire hall on Sat evening fora social. The patient told her do was so worried that she h terflies in her stomach. " Take an aspirin, " adm doctor. " But I took an aspirin,' man moaned, "and now t playing ping-pong with 1