Middleburg Library

Picture: Fall 1970, Schoharie County Historical Review on page 5 Sec. IX History Room.

Maximillian Shinburn gained notoriety in Schoharie County when he masterminded an attempted robbery of the Middleburgh Bank in 1895. A German by birth, he gained widespread recognition for his cunning ability to swindle and rob, be arrested, but then escape his captors. He was declared by the Pinkerton Brothers in the 1890's as the "greatest bank, safe and vault burglar of this or any other country". His "tour" through Middleburgh and Schoharie may be read in an article prepared by Middleburgh Historian Helene Farrell or in the Schoharie County Court transcript of the "Shinburn Case" or in the Supreme Court of New York record of "People vs. Shinburn". The late Dow Beekman donated to the Middleburgh Library the valuable information about this highly unusual and interesting case where it is now found in the history room.