Bank Wrecker Returns Home Under Arrest

  Maysville, Ky. Feb. 8 – “Herb” Hieatt came home today.

 That is, he came as far as Maysville.

 Feeling is reported to be too intense among folks around Milford, Ky. 35 miles southwest of here, for him to go home.

 Because Hieatt, cashier of the town’s only bank, is accused of having embezzled $65,000 of the institution’s funds.

 “They better keep him up there,” was the warning of several residents of the Milford section when they heard Hieatt was in Maysville.

 All Dressed for Jail

 Hieatt, immaculate in his brown suit of the latest cut, was returned from New York, where he was captured by George Gibson, Bracken County Sheriff, and Silas Jacobs, County Attorney.

 Few persons knew when the trio would arrive in Maysville.  Consequently, only the usual depot loiterers were on hand when “No. 3” pulled in.  Hieatt was not handcuffed, so the arrival of the confessed bank wrecker caused slight attention.

 The prisoner was hustled into an automobile and taken to the Mason county jail here.  Later his baggage was taken there, and Hieatt was allowed to check his effect before being locked up.

 And No More Women

 Compartments of a new wardrobe trunk yielded a perfect profusion of haberdashery dear to the heart of a well-dressed man.  A book also tumbled out.  It was entitled: Men Without Women.

 Sheriff Gibson said that Hieatt had turned over to him $8,000 that he had left in an account at the New York broker’s office, $500 in Liberty bonds, and $500 in cash.  Hieatt is to remain in Mason county jail until the March term of court, three weeks away.  He is facing 1o indictments as a result of the bank failure.

 The dapper little banker is said to have admitted that he took $50,000 of the bank’s funds, when arrested in New York.  Bank examiners place the shortage at $65,000.  There are whisperings around Maysville that more indictments against Hieatt may be sought.  One may charge violation of the Mann act (Wikipedia).

 Girl Figures in Case

 Hieatt’s name has been linked with that of a 17-year-old Mt. Olivet (Ky.) girl.  In fact it is said that when the banker left Milford, August 18, after kissing his wife, Blanche, goodbye before he went on a “business trip,” he met this girl a short distance from his home and took her with him on his trip.  She returned to her home several weeks ago, it is said.

 Jacob Vick, private detective, is to receive the $1,000 reward offered by Bracken County officials for the capture of Hieatt.  Vick overheard a man call himself “Walton” talking of a bank embezzlement case when in New York.  He notified county authorities at Augusta and later identified Hieatt from photographs of “Walton.”

 Court attaches expect a big crown when Hieatt’s case is called by Circuit Judge Chas. N. Newell.  […It] promises to be one of the most sensational trials in the history of this community. 

From the Grant County News, February 10, 1928.