Coming of Age

Goodbye, Vigilantes

Elmer FunkElmer Funk knew it was time. The world had changed since he formed the Kosciusko County Vigilantes in the early part of the century. It was 1951, and there weren’t so many bank robberies anymore. Plus, the governor had formed the Indiana State Police in 1933, and they had fast cars, good weapons and could go anywhere in the state without worrying about county lines. The police did a good job protecting the bank—all the banks—now.

Yes, thought Elmer, it’s time to disband the Vigilantes.

He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t done it sooner, actually. Maybe it was because they had done such a good job mobilizing whenever there was trouble. Maybe it was because he knew all these men personally and understood what that special badge from the sheriff meant to them. Maybe he had just never gotten around to it. Heck, it might have been all these things. The one thing he knew for sure, though, was that he was proud of these men.

Elmer thought about something Herman B. Wells said before he became president of Indiana University, back when he was the field secretary for the Indiana Bankers Association: “Banks unprotected by vigilantes are about twice as likely to be held up as are those that are so protected.”

That meant a lot to Elmer. He knew he had been right to form the Kosciusko County group. Now that they could rely on the police, the county didn’t need the vigilantes anymore. The Kosciusko County Bankers Association agreed, so today they would put a notice in the newspaper to let everyone know. He approved it himself. It read, in part:

We appreciate so very much your services in the past. If you have any supplies or firearms, you will please get in touch with the bank supplying the same and together you will make disposition according to their desire. You may retain your deputy sheriff badge as a souvenir. Of course, it will be without authority.

Yes, indeed. It had been a good run, but it was time to say goodbye to his vigilantes.
Vigilante disbandment letter

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