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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Mail Tribune 100, Aug. 16, 1915 The following news items were drawn from the archives 100 years ago. Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Aug. 16, 1916 BANK ROBBER MAKES DARING DAYLIGHT FLIGHT John Austin Hooper, life term convict at Folsom, Calif., prison, bank robber, street car bandit, and all-around crook, added another dramatic chapter to his criminal career Sunday noon when, with his cell mate, Tony Brecko, a Greek, he bound Sheriff William Smith, and escaped from the Josephine County jail. Brecko was captured an hour after his dash for liberty, but Hooper is still at large, and was last reported to be near Rogue River about 9:00 o'clock last night headed westward. Sheriff Smith entered the cell of the two men at noon with their dinner. As soon as he turned the key in the lock, Brecko pinned his arms behind him. Hooper then bound Sheriff Smith's hands and feet, and was going to gag him; but Smith persuaded him not to do this. They took the keys to the jail, 80 cents from their captive's pocket, unlocked the locker containing guns and ammunition, and walked out through the court house. They met a buggy and at the point of a revolver compelled the driver to turn the rig over to them. The two escapees then drove at a breakneck pace to the north. Brecko is Captured Upon reaching the outskirts of Grants Pass, Hooper told his companion to dismount, and make a wide circle, and he would meet him. In the meantime, the sheriff had been freed, and a posse started in pursuit. They found Brecko making a wide circle. The captured man told the authorities that Hooper induced him to assist him upon the promises to give him $500 and a ticket back to Greece. This appealed to the Greek, who is facing a long prison sentence on a statutory charge. When Hooper was through with him, he discarded him. From one p.m. until nine o'clock Sunday night, the searchers found no trace of Hooper. About 9:00 o'clock, E. Kroh of Grants Pass was driving an auto on the road to Rogue River, accompanied by his wife. Hooper stepped out from the brush lining the road, and with a revolver against his side compelled Kroh to drive him to Rogue River. As they passed the Rogue River bank, Hooper made a jesting remark about the success that attended his robbing of that financial institution. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501