The Blacksmith Brother Robbers

In Vermilion in September 1932, everyone was talking about the two brothers who were caught robbing residences in the community.

The robberies occurred throughout the summer and into September 1932, leaving many people angry at how their lives were suddenly disrupted by the thieves. Among the homes robbed included that of Constable Olsen of the local RCMP detachment, A.M. West and the farm property of W.E. Sutton.

On Sept. 24, 1932, the robberies came to an end when Edward and Ernest Martin, were arrested. Edward was the local blacksmith in Vermilion, and his brother Ernest assisted him in the shop.

It was Constable Olsen, assisted by Town Police Officer Dibbens and two officers from the Vegreville detachment of the RCMP, that arrested the two men.

For weeks, there was no suspicion put on the brothers but as the robberies continued, people began to report that the brothers were acting oddly and were seen in the vicinities of the robberies.

ON the morning of their arrest, the police raided the home of the brothers were they found all the items that had been stolen from town. Everything was piled in the home with no attempt to hide it as the brothers were waiting to take everything out of town to Edmonton to sell it.

The two brothers had come from Moose Jaw two years previous, and been working in the town ever since.

The two brothers were officially charged with the crimes before Police Magistrate Kaiser.

As for what happened to the two brothers after they were charged, that I unfortunately do not know. I searched through the newspaper archives to determine their sentences but had no luck.

Chances were they were both convicted since their homes were full of the evidence and served a few years in jail before their release. It is likely they returned home to Moose Jaw.

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