The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-08-12
BURGLARS.
Ernm Me qalarn for .Aua,sst.

panies and other obstacles which have been
thrown in the way Of burglars, render the
pursuit of that profession more dangerous than
lucrative Other means by which to obtain
other peoples property by force have come in
vogue, and the ''jimmy" and odark-lantern'
professors are considered behind the age.
There are, nevertheless, still very conside-
rable number of professional burglars on the
"Sheppard lay,' as it is termed, who enter
buildings by force, and forcibly break into
safes or other places where valuables
are kept. They are organized into
gangs, each Sgang consisting of three or
four members, and among these will almost
always be found an Englishman, who is the
ruling spirit. In these days of numerous
policemen and vigilant night watchmen, it
requires a degree of energy, intelligence,
strategy, and patience to accomplish remu-
nerative burglary which is found in but COM
paratively few individuals. Plenty there are
who will smash a door or break a window for
the purpose of stealing a case of boots an arm
full of dry goods, or similar small amounts:
but the number of those who plan and execute
the bold and extensive burglaries which occa-
sionally startle the community, and destroy
confidence in iron safes and vaults of solid
masonry, is exceedingly limited. The bur
glars who do this wOrk-the bank burglars
make a speciality of that particular branch of
the profession, and would feel insulted if
classed among ordinary house breakers. AS
experience, patience, and superior intelligence
are required to insure success in this branch.
ii follows that the Oldest and most skilfui
workers in the profession are among them
The celebrated Concord Bank robbery, per-
petrated but few months ago, will serve to
show one of the modes by which felonies of
this character are committed. gang of four
burglars, residing in New York, ranking as
"a IL on the records in the detective Office
and of which an Englishman was the chief
were idly watching for remunerative open
ing. This bank had long been "spotted" by
them as an institution offering peculiar in
ducements for business transactions, and they
resolved to open an account with it,
shrewd young Englishman belonging to
the gang was accordingly despatched to Con-
cord for the purpose of recommending the
premises. Arriving there, he put up at
the best hotel in the place, registering
himself by convenient alias, and assumed
all the airs of distinguished arrival"
He remained in the place over a
week, during which time he contrived to have
some business at the bank, and visited it seve-
raj times. During these visits he not only
took thorough survey of the premises, but
managed to secure wax impressions of the
locks to the doors, and also to the safe. Re-
turning to New York, another of the gang,
skilled in such matters, manufactured from
these wax impressions a set of skeleton keys
which, provided they fitted the various locks,
would give the burglars access to the very
heart OF the money vault. BY the time every
thing was in readiness, a month had been con-
sumed and upwards of $1,000 expended by the
gang on the enterprise.
On certain day, their arrangements having
been all completed, the four burglars started
for Concord. When within fifteen miles of
their destination they left the train, and hiring
private conveyance, drove to Concord by dife-
rent routes, reaching there after dark. Pro-
ceeding directly to the bank, the skeleton keys
were brought into requisition, and the outer
door soon yielded to their application. Two of
the burglars then entered the bank, while the
others remained on guard outside to give
warning in case OF the approach of any inquisi-
i've person. The skeleton keys worked admi-
rably, few passes of file only being required
to make them fit the locks for which they were
intended. The vaults were soon reached and
entered, when the money and securities of the
value of half million of dollars were at the
disposal OF the enterprising ''screwsmen " as
those who work with skeleton keys are STYLED
This "swag" secured, the burglars departed
closing and locking all doors behind them. and
saving everything, to all appearances, undis-
lrbed. Private conveyances were again
ought into requisition, and the burglars
n for himself left Concord, and did not
ct again until after their arrival in New
k.
le actual time consumed in 'cracking''
Concord "crib" did not exceed one hour
rtect were all the arrangements, and so
.etly and skilfully was it done, that for a
long time after it was discovered the i'm
preston prevailed that it was perpetrated by
residents OF the place who were familiar with
the premises. The successful burglars imme-
diately disposed of the available funds they
had secured, but the securities were not SO
easily negotiated. Expert detectives were at
once engaged to trace up the stolen property,
and large reward was offered for its recovery.
The officers soon succeeded in ascertaining to |
moral certainty who were the perpetrators
OF the burglary, but could get no IegaL proof.
The only thing left for them to do was to nego-
tiate for the return of the securities. An |
agent OF the burglars and the detectives at
the lnstgation of the bank officers, eventually |
made an arrangement by which the bank re- |
covered Its securities and the purloiners of |
them were made the richer by bonus of |
several thousand dollars.
While skeleton keys are the main reliance
Oh burglars In the prosecution of their nefa-
nous designs, there are locks which refuse TO
yield TO these shadowy appliances. Some in
VentiYe Yankee concOcted a lock for safes and |
vaults which has no keyhole-ori If IL has one |
II u not 70 be found by the uninitiated. OF !
course such absurd locks as these cannot he !
screwed" with skeleton keys nor stpufTsd,,
Win gOppOwder. But burglars are not 10 ba
Oulgenefalled by even the cutest Yanlaa NJ