Ted Skeer

Thaddeus R. 'Ted' Skeer was an American Prohibition-era bank robber, best known as an early associate of Harry Pierpont.

Early life He was born in Ohio, the son of Adolphus G. and Lellie M. Skeer. Thaddeus was the youngest of the family.

By the 1910 census, the family was living at 1329 Main Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Thaddeus's father's occupation was listed as a paper hanger.

Skeer's older brother, Sylvester, was killed at aged 22 in an accident at his home in Cleveland, Ohio on August 26, 1913.

Criminal career Assault and Battery, 1917 On September 1, 1917, Skeer was fined $10 and costs for assault and battery on Hilda Hartman. Skeer had slapped her on the back and made indecent remarks to her at Robison park.

Theft, 1917 On September 20, 1917, Skeer and Carl Axt were both fined $1 and costs and sentenced to 120 days at the state penal farm for stealing a tire from an automobile belonging to the Coca-Cola company. Skeer claimed to have found the tire in a barn. Skeer, who was also involved in the theft, was to be tried later. The bandits made off with $4,828.40 in cash and $4,300.00 in Liberty bonds. Escaping in a blue Moon touring car, the bandits were witnessed by local resident, J.E. Fernung, switching their car for two Ford cars, which then headed south.

Initial reports stated that an additional $2,000.00 in non-negotiable securities had been stolen as well. The bandits tore the telephone from the wall, broke a shotgun and took away the extra cartridges. Pierpont was alleged to be the leader in the robbing of the South Marion, Upland and South Kokomo Bank. At his arrest, Pierpont gave his name as Frank Mason, but later in the day admitted his identity. while one report indicated this amount was found on Skeer.

Other reports indicated that $4,000.00 in cash was found on Pierpont, with securities totaling $5,400.00 recovered in the apartment. Reports indicated that Pierpont, alias Mason, was wanted in Marion for the robbery of the Upland State Bank and the South Marion State Bank.

In Detroit, Pierpont, Skeer and Hayes were all positively identified by A.E. Gorton, cashier of the South Kokomo bank; "Chic" Nelson, golf professional at the country club, and Vernon Shaw. It was Nelson who identified Hayes, a locally known singer, and allowed detectives to put the pieces together in tracking the members of the gang. Hayes had been identified by cashier Gorton as the bandit who stood in the doorway of the South Kokomo bank as it was robbed.

It was determined by the Kokomo police that members of the gang had been in the city for several weeks prior to the robbery of the South Kokomo bank. Pierpont, Skeer and Hayes were known to have had rooms with Mrs. Pearl Mullendore at 718 North Main Street.

Skeer's trial for charges of bank robbery as well as conspiracy, were on the docket for May 7, 1925.

Skeer's attorney stated that he would plead enter a guilty plea and ask for leniency.

Skeer contributed evidence favorable to the state and he was given a term of two to fourteen years in prison, and served two years.

Arrest in Toledo, Ohio, June, 1929 Skeer was arrested after a gun battle with police, along with his pal, Jack Gorhum.

Ohio authorities intended to keep him in their state and prosecute rather than returning him to Indiana to finish out his term of ten to twenty-five years for breaking parole. the notorious Hi-Ho club of 1900 Harris Street, Madison, Illinois. With over 250 people in the club and a cop within feet of the victim, one shot was fired directly into his chest. Police identified Skeer as the victim, who had gone under the alias of Jack Kelly for a number of years.