Volume 16 , Issue 36

1921 Salt Springs Oklahoma Bank Robbery

We found a bit more information concerning Salt Springs, Oklahoma, established about 1920, but is a defunct town, located S36-T27N-R20W. Salt Springs, Harper County (1921-1927), was located on the Buffalo to Alva Railroad line on the north bank of Buffalo Creek near its junction with the Cimarron river. Salt Springs was located in eastern Harper county, in northwestern Oklahoma. The small town had a post office from 1920 to 1928.

In 1921 the bank was robbed and the trial for the four bank robbers was held in Buffalo.On page 241 of More Oklahoma Renegades by Ken Butler, you will find information on the "Bank Robbery Fiasco at Salt Springs." There is also a map of southern Harper county and northern Woodward county. Salt Springs is located on Buffalo Creek near the junction of Buffalo Creek and the Cimarron River. Salt Springs is also on the railroad line between the towns of Buffalo and Freedom. The land between Salt Springs and Curtis, to the south, is marked by several creeks and canyons.

They say the robbery proved not to be serious, but the three sidekicks in this heist lived in the local area and were well known. The older two of these men had been suspects in previous crimes in the vicinity.

The preliminary hearing of evidence against Brankel, Highfill, and Dickson was held in April, 1921. Madden's hearing was held in May, 1921. Judge Walker ruled that all four of the suspected allies were to be bound over for trial at the next term of district court, as was the other bank robbery suspect, Heirholzer.

Bennett Highfill was the first of the suspects brought to trial in the court at Buffalo. In June, 1921, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to ten years in the state prison. Highfill was released on bond, pending his appeal.

Thomas Dickson's trial was some 3 months after Highfill's, and developed the same as the earlier case of Highfill. Dickson also appealed his conviction and posted bond.

That brings us to the case against Joseph Heirholzer and Charles Brankel before the court. They pled guilty to their rolls in the robbery. Judge Arthur G. Sutton sentenced each of the men to 10 years imprisonment at Big Mac, starting 29 September 1921, and assigned numbers 11646 and 11647. Brankel was paroled on November 18, 1922, and Heirholzer was released on December 24, 1926.

Highfill and Dickson lost on their appeals, each was then sent to McAlester. Highfill arrived at the prison on July 10, 1924, and paroled on July 6, 1929. Dickson was received in Big Mac on September 8, 1924, and paroled on September 3, 1929. Charles Madden, owner of the fleet steed that was used in the robbery, had also been tried and convicted in September, 1921 and sentenced to five years in prison. Madden had to appeal his case, it appears that his determination to resist prevailed, as there is no record that he was sent to prison.

The man of the hour, bank cashier A. E. Clothier, dropped from view. His daring-do had disrupted the ill fated plan and, coupled with the efficiency of the county lawmen, had terminated Joseph Heirholzer's career as a bank robber. He would never attain the notoriety associated with other Old West desperadoes.

They do not know if Clothier faded into the sunset or continued to exercise his expertise with fist and gun.

This episode that featured a foiled bank robbery, a free for all brawl, a gunfight, and empty pistol, a borrowed horse, and a spunky but addled bank robber, brought down the curtain on the part of the Old West as this colorful period neared its finale in Oklahoma.   |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

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