HIGHWAY PATROL PRAISED BY HOLDUP VICTIM

LEAD BELT NEWS, Flat River, Missouri
Fri. December 16, 1949

Elvins, Missouri
December 13, 1949

Troop Headquarters,
Missouri Highway Patrol,
Kirkwood, Missouri.

Attention Commanding Officer

Dear Sir:

Of course you know the Two-One-Four Liquor Store at Elvins, Missouri, was robbed last Thursday night by an armed woman. I was behind the counter when this robbery occurred. I would never feel quite right about the affair if I did not express my thanks and appreciation to all who had a part in apprehending the parties guilty of committing the hold-up.

The manner in which the officers here and at Ste. Genevieve handled the job is almost unbelievable. It sounds very much like a fiction story in a Detective Magazine. Just to give you some idea how the Troopers working on the case were "on the beam" here is a re-cap of affair.

The robbery occurred at 8:20 p.m. Thursday. The officers were notified at 8:25 p.m. They arrived at the scene of hold-up at 8:35 p.m. They immediately notified headquarters (via radio), also peace officers in adjoining counties and towns. Exactly six hours (2:30 a.m.) subjects were arrested at Ste. Genevieve and locked up.

On Friday I was taken to Ste. Genevieve and at noon I identified the woman. She was removed to the Farmington jail about 1 p.m. and ten hours later confessed. The Troopers had only a description of the woman. The make or plates on the get-a-way car was not available -- really remarkable work if you ask me.

I've often heard it said that the Missouri Highway Patrol is very much overworked and very much underpaid. I'm now sure this is very very true. Every citizen of good old Missouri has reason to be proud of our Highway Patrol whose untiring work makes not only our county, but the entire state a better and safer place to live.

May I again express my thanks and also wish the entire force the best Christmas and Happiest and the most prosperous New Year ever.

Yours very truly,
Gentry T. Horn