Dakota Datebook: Making a clean breast

In December 29, 1932, Emil Johnson was traveling toward Minot in a refrigerator car when three men entered, robbed him and kicked him off the train.

Johnson contacted Minot authorities, and when the train arrived, so did the police.

On this day, it was reported Johnson was brought in to identify Walter Hatch, one of the three men, but he said he couldn't.

"What d'ya mean?" Hatch said. "I'm one of the guys who stuck you up. Don't you remember me?"

Then Hatch re-enacted the hold-up, putting on the clothes he had worn and searching Johnson.

For his honesty, Hatch received three to six years in the state pen. His companions also pleaded guilty and received small sentences.

It wasn't even a lucrative hold-up. Four dollars brought these erstwhile robbers to an honest end.

Dakota Datebook Written by Sarah Walker.

"Dakota Datebook" is a radio series from Prairie Public in partnership with the State Historical Society of North Dakota and with funding from the North Dakota Humanities Council. See all the Dakota Datebooks at prairiepublic.org, subscribe to the "Dakota Datebook" podcast, or buy the Dakota Datebook book at shopprairiepublic.org.