Family members of eye witnesses to the Dillinger robbery will participate

Bluffton, Ohio will turn back the clock to 1933 on its first-ever Bluffton History Day, Saturday, August 12, recalling the 90th anniversary of the Dillinger gang bank robbery in Bluffton. In 1934, Dillinger was declared Public Enemy #1.

9:00-11:00 a.m. – Information table at Bluffton Farmers Market 

9:00-11:00 a.m. – Book signing, 90th anniversary edition of “Four Guys Walk Into a Bank… and the rest is Bluffton oral history”

10:00 a.m. – Free matinee of “Public Enemy,” featuring Johnny Depp, at Shannon Theatre

11:00 a.m. and noon – Retelling of the Bluffton Dillinger robbery by Fred Steiner in front of Citizens National Bank. 1930s-era model vehicles to be displayed on Main Street 

4:00 p.m.-midnight ­– Greenhorn Restaurant on Vine Street events. Prohibition-era cocktails, street food and regular menu In the atmosphere of a 1930-era Speakeasy

6:30 p.m. – Retelling of the Bluffton Dillinger robbery by Fred Steiner

7:00 p.m. – Music by Jesse Henry, Bluffton native, performing The Ballad of John Dillinger. Nancy Corle-Agner and Phil Gratz will perform following Jesse Henry

FAMILIES OF EYE WITNESSES
Several family members of eye witnesses to the Dillinger robbery will be introduced and will stand in their place as the 11 a.m. and noon retelling event is underway.

• Jenny Bogart Donges as Harry Bogart, her grandfather
• Marilyn Murray Shelly as Dode Murray, postmaster, her great-uncle
• Neil Hauenstein as Edgar Hauenstein, pharmacist, his grand nephew
• Jim S. West as James and Bob West, working across from the bank, son of James and nephew of Bob West

In August, 1933, John Dillinger and gang members held up the Citizens National Bank taking $2,100. The FBI called Dillinger Public Enemy Number 1, giving Bluffton its 20th century 15 minutes of fame. That fame continues into its ninetieth year, as the robbery placed Bluffton forever in the Dillinger legend.

Bluffton History Day sponsors include Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce, Greenhorn Restaurant, Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co., Bluffton Icon and Bluffton Forever.