On Dec. 23, 1927, during Christmas festivities, a costumed Santa Claus and three fellow bandits robbed the First National Bank, taking $12,200 in cash and $150,000 in securities. They escaped through a gun battle while holding two little girls as hostages, and a three-day manhunt followed. The children and the money were recovered, and the robbers were captured. Six persons were killed and eight injured. Later, a mob lynched “Santa” after he broke out of jail.