HERMAN PFEUFFER AND THE BANK ROBBERS
Source: Unknown- probably a Hitzfelder
Once long ago, a bank in Marble Falls, Texas was robbed and the bank robbers who had killed some of the people in the bank were believed to be traveling in the Spring Branch area. The news of the bank robbery and a warning to be on the look out for the robbers had been received at the Spring Branch store on the same day that Herman Pfeuffer had gone there to buy some supplies. While he was at the store buying groceries a telephone call came from Minna Pfeuffer telling him that several guests had arrived at the house and that he was to bring even more supplies for the guests. After Mr. Pfeuffer had left the store the proprietors got very suspicious of this unusual call feeling that the guests must have been the bank robbers and that they probably forced Mrs. Pfeuffer to call at gun point. As a result of these deductions they called Sheriff Adams in New Braunfels and reported the happening.
In the meantime, Herman had arrived home to find that his guests were government surveyors who had become good friends of his as a result of their many months of survey work done in "the bend" for a government dam that was to be placed here. Herman had an enjoyable visit with the surveyors and forgot all about the bank robbers.
Night came and the Pfeuffers and their guests retired. During the early morning hours the family dogs began to bark. The Pfeuffers and their guests found it difficult to rest for the incessant barking. The first thing at day break Herman went out to see if he could find what the dogs were so upset about. He had walked a little way from the house when he spotted something black in the bushes. He looked a little closer and thought, "Oh, they have a skunk!"
Herman returned to the house, got his gun and went back out deciding to make short work of that big, black varment. He put his gun up in position, took careful aim at the bigblack varment, and started to pull the trigger. Suddenly, the black object jumped up, waving his arms and yelling, "Don't shoot, Herman! It's me, Sheriff Adams!"
At this point men began to pop out of hiding places all around the house. The Pfeuffers realized that the place had been surrounded by the sheriff during the night because he believed the bank robbers were inside.
Herman Pfeuffer introduced the surveyors and gave a recommendation for their honesty, everyone had a good laugh and the sheriff's possee went home.
Until his death, Mr. Guy Simpson, one of the surveyors, would send Herman Pfeuffer correspondence signed only, "the bank robber."