Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-05-17
TttC KLEIN ROBBERY.


The circumstances connected with the
robbery of The jewelry store of John Klein,
In North Third street, on "Wednesday nlgh',
are exceedingly painful, and the case is one
full of warning to all young men. 1t has al
ready been stated in the Ledger that the
supposed thieves were in custody. fes'er-
day morning the case was again brought
before Mayor Wilkinson, and in the prison.
er's dock appeared Abraham Lands, Albert
Klein, Isaac Lands, and Joseph Klein-two
of the party are sons Of the person robbed
the others uephews. The principal witness
ses examined were the officers Instrumental
in arreslng the defendants, and when ihey
had concluded, Albert Klein, who ia about
90 years Of age, proposed that he would
turn States evidence and relate the story
which would bring TO Justice the real perpe-
traitor of the offence lie was listened TO in
the course Of his story, but nothing was eli.
cited from him further than that Abraham
Lands made the false keys. This had al.
ready been testified TO BY the officers, as
well as other matters duplicating the broth.
ers Klein. Finally the case arrived al the
poin, when the Mayor gave notice to the
counsel for the defendants, William D. Baker
ESQ, that he would commit Abraham Lam
dis for the robbery, discharge Isaac Lands
for want of anv evidence 10 hold him, and
commit the Kleins for further hearing
This was DONE however, after Abraham re-
Quested his counsel and his Honor, the MAY.
or, to allow him 10 tell the true state Of The
whole matter, from It's origin 10 the consum-
nation Of the act. The Mayor declined
hearing the story of the accused but.subse.
Ouen.lv the defendant was taken from the
lock.up into the Mayors private office,
where he related, as he alleged, all the cir
cums,ances OF the matter, and made full
confession OF The robbery. lie stated that
four attempts were made before access was
gained into the store, aud when the success
full effort was accomplished, Albert Klein
accompanied and directed him to the places
in the establishment where the most yalua-
BILE jewelry was kept.
Laudis alleges that the matter OF robbng
his uncle's store, was first suggested to him
by Albert, some months ago. at his shop in
Rachel street, above Poplar aud that he re.
fused. Again and again the cousin returned
as well as Joseph, and insisted upon his ell.
tering into the conspiracy, as he was lock
smith, for the reason that they were deter
mined 10 be revenged Of their father. The
appeals at length overcame him, and the
plans were devised. Albert took an impres.
sion Of the key-hole in the store door, and
a KEY was made, but il would not answer
the purpose. The next day Albert came
back TO Lands and Informed him Of the
whereabouts Of key very similar TO that OF
his fathers, aud it was procured. A sec.
ond attempt was made that evening and
failed. A few days afterwards Albert came
with another key, and after remodeiing 1t,
the door was tried Il third time, with the
same result. The sons, with perseverance
almost unparalleled, concocted a scheme
whereby the Younger son obtained from his
father some red wax and took an impression
of the store door key. This was taken 10
Lands, who altered one Of the keys former
iy manufactured, and on Wednesday even
ing the attempt was made which proved
successful. The defendant further stated
that the young man having charge of the store
was cntced away by Joseph Klein, and
after he (Landis) end Aiber, had followed
the brother and watched the boy up Third
street and down Willow street TO 81. John,
they went back and robbed the store. Then
ahe jeweIry was taken to Rachel street and
deposited in a keg and buried some ten
inches below the surface of the ground
Lands, who has a family of four children,
also states that he was employed by Brink
& Durbin, in Water ST., and could easily
make sl2 per week when he worked. The
case as represented seems TO bear out the
fact, that he has been made the victim ot
his cousins revenge.