Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-09-16

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mens safe at The Custom AAouse.
A most daring attempt vas made do
ring Wednesday night and yesterday
morning TO rob the Government vault at
the Custom House which contained at
the time one million two hundred and
fifty thousand dollars. The vault is built
Of brick, cement aud iron. The walls
OF the Custom House form two sides OF
the vault, which stands in corner Of
the room occupied by the Collector Of
Customs. The vault is strongly con
structed. The walls are about fourteen
inches thick, and between every layer OF
bricks there is also layer Of crossed
and rivited iron firmly imbedded in the
cement. The vault contained oil the
money OF the Pay Department, az vel
as large sum to be dIsburscd by Major
Hill, Who is acting As mastering officer
here.
The burglars, though amply provided
with tools, could not open the heavy
iron door of the vault, SO they set to
work with crow bar and chisel to dig
hole through the only exposed side.
They succeeded in digging out the
bricks aud making a large aperture ID
the wall. but the iron still remained and
could not be removed. The portion OF
the money not contained in small iron
safes, but in packages and bags, was
located at a point some tour or five feet
from the aperture, in the vault. Not
being able to get into the vault, the
burglars improvised hook with which
they attempted to drag the bags up to
the aperture, but again the iron bars in
,erfered. They could see and feel the
money, but could not get it. The work
accomplished by the rascals must have
occupied several hours, and it thought
hat the early dawn must have caught
them in the state of progress we have
described, and thus they were compelled
t, abandon q their work without taking
away single cent.
The rascals passed through the Col
ector's room into the Adj't Generals
office, through the Office OF the Sec,
of the Commonwealth, and into the Au-
ditor's office. Here they raised win
dow, tied rope, with which they we're
provided, to the fire CRATE and let them
selves down into the back yard, dis
lance Of about thirty feet, and thus es-
capped. In the passage from the Collec-
tors to the Auditors Office, they must
have passed through three or tour doors,
all OF which, it is supposed, were un-
locked by keys made for that purpose.
A dark lantern, rudely and apparently
hastily constructed, was left behind.
Also a crow-bar, three chisels, hand
kcrchlef aud bottle containing about
one drink Of whisky. The latter was
left in Auditor Cranes Office. A guard
was stationed about the Custom House,
as usual, but none of the soldiers heard
anything or saw anything.
From certain evidence discovered in
he attic OF the building, there is nc
doubt that the burglars secreted them
selves in the building in the early par,
Of the evening, and did not commence
their work until all the heavy doors had
been securely locked and the occupants
Of the different offices had gone away
The burglars worked like beavers, or
ike desperate scamps as they ore, who
would undertake an enterprise attended
ny so much danger. One hour more
time would have enabled them to carry
eff more money than they wanted.
One thing is apparent to all who have
witnessed the work accomplished and
the evidences left behind; the enterpris,
wa~ conducted by men perfectly fam,l
ar with the whole building, and per
tectIy cognizant OF the location of The
money and the means by which to ge
1t.
One of the guards on duty during
the night reports having seen a mar
come out of the Custom House Yaro
about four o'clock in the morning.
Wheeling Lntell;gencer, Sept. 5th.
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