The Invincible Thieves
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The Invincible Thieves was the name given to a group of would-be extortionists who operated in Madison County, Illinois during January 1901. The case received newspaper coverage from Butte, Montana,[1] to Syracuse, New York.[2]
On January 11, 1901 the first letters were delivered, demanding four farmers assemble $1,410.00 and deliver it to a designated spot on a local highway on the night of Saturday, January 19. Should they fail to do so, their homes would be dynamited. The four farmers were Leonard Hoehn, John Huebner, Fred Penning, and George Schillinger. Later a local banker, Herman Schriber, received a similar demand for the sum of $2,500 (half in gold, half in currency) to be paid the same night; in his case the dynamite was to be used on local businesses. The letters were signed "The Invincible Thieves".[3] It was later reported that similar letters were delivered to other prominent residents of the area.[4]
Initial response varied. A local newspaper called the affair a "snipe hunt" and canard. Local farmers set up a night patrol of the roads designated for the payments. Alton Deputy sheriff Dreisoerner and 75 men were out on the night of the 19th, to no avail.[5]
Second round; gunfire; letter to chief of police
The farmers received another round of notices that their homes would be destroyed and cattle poisoned. The case took a serious turn on Sunday, January 27, when a revolver was fired through a window of the George Schillinger home. The 38 caliber bullet missed Mr. Schillinger, grazed the arm of his hired man, and lodged in a wall.[6] Sheriff Joseph Hotz investigated, and mentioned the possibility of a $1,000 reward. It was said that local farmers were offering a $500 reward.[7] On Monday, January 28, the Alton Chief of Police, Ferd Volbracht, received a letter, "poorly written and spelled worse", threatening arson and murder if he did not cease his investigation into the "invincible thieves".[8] Two detectives from St. Louis, Missouri, were added to the investigative forces.[9]