I'd appreciate any info on one Lonnie C. Mills, an Oklahoma/Texas bad guy. He was accused in the Hastings, NE bank robbbery of 1931. When Hastings police chief and Cleveland Co. OK sheriff arrested Mills north of Norman, an Amarillo,TX mugshot of Mills hit the papers. Anyone have anything on Mills? Thanks for any help.

Bristow (OK) Daily Record 3/9/1931 (pg 1/ col 6) "Two Bandits Rob Earlsboro Bank" - (p1c3) Suspect in Bank Robbery Held. L.C. Mills wanted at Hastings (NE) Bank Robbery...arrested on farm near Norman (OK). Also looking for Jimmy Creighton around Shawnee.

Miami (OK) Daily News-Rcd 3/10/1931 (p3c7-8) "Okc Warning too late..." Bank Robber Jimmy Creighton also robbed Natl Bank at Hastings, Neb. with L.C. Mills; also, Mrs. Creighton.

Muskokee (OK) Daily Phoenix 3/22/1931 (p3c2) "Husband Also Held in ($27G) Bank Robbery Case" at Natl Bank, Hastings, Neb., last month. Thelma Creighton (pregnant), parents at Seminole (OK).

Daily Oklahoman {Carthage, Mo.} 6/27/1931 (p1c3) "Jury Favors Death Penalty for Convicted Murderer" James Creighton killed Coyne Hatton at Webb City (Mo.) on 5/16/1931.

Shawnee (OK) Morning News {Jasper Co., Mo.}10/18/1931 (p1c1) "New Trial Asked by (Shawnee Bank Robber) Jim Creighton" - Convicted, Sentenced to Death for killing Coyne Hatton at Webb City, MO.

Shawnee (OK) Morning News {Hastings, NE} 10/20/1931 (p1c4) "Mrs. (Velma) Creighton Goes To Trial" - former Shawnee manicurist, hid $9G of loot in babies clothes, with bank robber James Thomas (sic), who was convicted & sent to Nebraska State Penitentiary.

Shawnee (OK) Morning News 10/23/1931 (p1c5) "(Mrs.)Creighton Jury Fails to Agree (Hung Jury!)"

Shawnee (OK) Morning News 11/7/1931 (p1c2) "Mrs. Creighton Given Freedom" - 2nd Trial - to return to Nowata (OK) - gets to keep $1270.

Sorry, I don't know what happened to Lonnie C. Mills; however, following Creighton cases might provide answers - since they were tied together on both the Hastings (NE) & Earlsboro (OK) bank robberies. Hope this helps!

Since Lonnie C. Mills was arrested near Norman, Oklahoma, I'll check the Norman newspapers (later) to see what they did with him. If you know what happened to him, I'd like to know, as well.

Mills was released by the Hastings, Nebraska authorities on March 26th. This was from an article in the Lincoln Star. The March 11th of the Star has a picture of Mills.

quote:

Originally posted by oldwest:
Since Lonnie C. Mills was arrested near Norman, Oklahoma, I'll check the Norman newspapers (later) to see what they did with him. If you know what happened to him, I'd like to know, as well.

Not sure if I'm doing this right but here goes! Thanks Old West for your reply. I've got quite a bit on the Creightons and Jim Thomas (but still looking for more including betters photos). When they arrested Lonnie Mills the Hastings Chief brought him back to Hastings and charged with bank robbery, but they couldn't prove it so had to let him go. It does appear that he was a front man, came into town early and scoped out the bank and place for them to rent. Don't have much on the Earlsboro job, so will search under that and see. Thanks again.

quote:

Originally posted by Ron Rosner:
Mills was released by the Hastings, Nebraska authorities on March 26th. This was from an article in the Lincoln Star. The March 11th of the Star has a picture of Mills.

Thanks also for your response Ron. Yes, I assume thats the Amarillo mugshot? Haven't heard from them yet and still checking other sources down there. Mr. Mills is a difficult one!

quote:

Originally posted by oldwest:
Since Lonnie C. Mills was arrested near Norman, Oklahoma, I'll check the Norman newspapers (later) to see what they did with him. If you know what happened to him, I'd like to know, as well.

I have tracked Jim Thomas to his death of course in Durant, OK., and tracked James Edward Creighton to the Mo. State Pen where he was on death row during the 54' riots. He testified against 7 inmates on murder charges. Prison said they couldn't protect Creighton after that so they LET HIM GO--FROM DEATH ROW!! Haven't found anything on him since that time...not surprisingly!

That's very good information on L.C. Mills from Marshal Star & Ron Rosner - - Thanks!

I may have "jumped the gun" on attributing the 1931 Earlsboro Bank Robbery to Creighton and Mills. According to Two (2) "expert" authorities, J.D. Morgan and Jeffery King, this robbery was the work of Pretty Boy Floyd, William "Billy the Baby Face Killer" Miller, and George Birdwell, driving the getaway car.

(Source: "William 'Billy The Baby Face Killer' Miller" by Jeffery King {OKOLHA Journal V. 2, No. 1, pp. 15-19, Spring 2005}).

(Source: R.D. Morgans (earlier) website - "March 9 (1931), Bank of Earlsboro-Pottawatomie County-"Pretty Boy" Floyds first Oklahoma bank robbery. His accomplices were suspected to have been Bill Miller and George Birdwell. $3000 stolen.")

I understand that the Earlsboro Bank was robbed at least 3 times: 3/9/1931; 10/14/1931; and, 3/11/1932. However, it doesn't appear as though Creighton and Mills had anything to do with any of them.

At least one of the articles, that I posted earlier, referred to Creighton as (the) Shawnee Bank Robber. Further research required!

quote:

Originally posted by oldwest:
That's very good information on L.C. Mills from Marshal Star & Ron Rosner - - Thanks!

I may have "jumped the gun" on attributing the 1931 Earlsboro Bank Robbery to Creighton and Mills. According to Two (2) "expert" authorities, J.D. Morgan and Jeffery King, this robbery was the work of Pretty Boy Floyd, William "Billy the Baby Face Killer" Miller, and George Birdwell, driving the getaway car.

(Source: "William 'Billy The Baby Face Killer' Miller" by Jeffery King {OKOLHA Journal V. 2, No. 1, pp. 15-19, Spring 2005}).

(Source: R.D. Morgans (earlier) website - "March 9 (1931), Bank of Earlsboro-Pottawatomie County-"Pretty Boy" Floyds first Oklahoma bank robbery. His accomplices were suspected to have been Bill Miller and George Birdwell. $3000 stolen.")

I understand that the Earlsboro Bank was robbed at least 3 times: 3/9/1931; 10/14/1931; and, 3/11/1932. However, it doesn't appear as though Creighton and Mills had anything to do with any of them.

At least one of the articles, that I posted earlier, referred to Creighton as (the) Shawnee Bank Robber. Further research required!

Thanks Old West for that update. Still no response from Amarillo PD or newspaper. The mugshot the papers ran of Mills was Amarillo. Will keep trying.
Ref Creighton, he was in for life, but housed on death row. Talked to deputy warden Mo.SP today and said that wasn't an uncommon practice. (Don't think I'd like that set up..."Wait, wait, it's the guy in the next cell!").

Anyone live in Waco, Texas who would be willing to get a couple photos of James C. Thomas' headstone and email to me? Thats where he's buried.