D
id The Dalton Gang Come to Sanger? Submitted by the Sanger Area Historical Society Article written by Idaleen Scheu Fuqua
In the autumn of 1919, the United States had as a boarding house for many years after just emerged from World War I and the edge Dr. Howard’s death. The two-story home of the “Roaring Twenties” was looming. Sanger was located just behind the current Sanger was enjoying the post-war boom as three banks Museum but no longer exists.) As Harry Rucker, spied on one another from the intersection the station agent for the midnight trick arrived of Bolivar and Third Streets. The E.L. Berry to relieve Scheu at the depot, he advised he bank to become the First National Bank (now thought something strange was going on offices for the City of Sanger operations), would “uptown” and to be careful walking home. become the oldest financial institution in town. He said he thought he saw some men go The bank originally operated as the Farmers behind the Berry First National Bank building. and Merchants Bank and was located on 4th Street Scheu began his walk on in the Dunn Building and the north side of Bolivar faced westward toward Street toward the boarding the Sanger city park. E.L. house westward from the Berry and partners bought railroad station passing the this bank and in 1905 it two-story wooden hotel was chartered with the known as the Burchard name of First National Hotel located next to Bank and was then located Wilson’s Lumber Yard (now at the Bolivar and Third a vacant building at the Gary Rooming House Street location. The other northeast corner of Bolivar two banks in that section of downtown and Second Streets). As he crossed Second were not to exist after several years. Street to the Sartin Store, the wagon yard was next to the Jones Picture Show (now known Fred Scheu, Santa Fe Station Agent in Sanger, as Bolivar Street BBQ. Yes, this building was working the “third trick” (shifts with the Santa Fe originally a movie theater.), and passed the were called “tricks”). The railroad station depot bank building on the northeast corner (now was open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a where the attorney office is located). Across week; they never closed and were very busy. Fred this intersection of Bolivar and Third Streets, was well-known around town and always walked there was an electrical wire strung across the to work as there were few automobiles around. intersection with a single lightbulb glowing in the night. Scheu saw someone standing just On this particular day in 1919, Scheu and his in front of the bank and as Scheu crossed the wife were rooming at the Gary Rooming and street, the man in the shadows lit a cigarette Boarding House at the corner of Bolivar and and attempted to act as normal as possible. Fifth Streets (home was originally owned by Dr. Ervin Howard, and his son and wife operated Fred had never seen the fellow in front of the
