The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-01
Il BIG "JOB."

a
The Great Robbery Of tho Ocean Bank
OF New York-BoId and Ingenious Bur.
glsry-Nearly 4s0O,O00 iA Booty OBJ
ts1ued-A Ftrst-class ..Operntaon.''
The New York Commercial Advertiser, Of
Monday evening. says:
The neighborhood Of the Ocean Bank, on
the corner OF Fulton and Greenwich streets,
was the scene Of the widest excitement from
an early hour thls morning, when it was
ascertained that the bank had been robbed.
Ths intelligence gradually spread through
out business circles, as the news spread,
aud the most improbable rumors Rradu-
and the probabls. effects OF the, loss
on the stability Of the bank. Starting
at $500, 900, the loss WAS gradual, increased by
different narrators to over 81. 600 coo. The re-
sult was almost panic, and 1t was found nee
essary TO station policeman at the door to
keep back the crowd, and also to post notice
on the front of the building stating that the
loss to the bank would not exceed $40. 600. The
facts OF this, which is one OF the most ipge
nious burglaries we have been called upon to
record in Iona time, are as follows, so far as
can be sscertained: The basement under the
bank Ia occupied by Mr.. William OAell, Q
broker, who some two weeks ago rented
Office room in the rear OF his office to
. party who gave the name Of Charles
Z. Cole. This portion OF the basement
is Immediately under the Presidents room
of the bank, and through the ceiling Of
this an opening was made large enough to ad-
NIT the passage Of man, coming out just be-
hind the desk usually occupied by, the Presi
dent. On Saturday night the bank was closed.
40 usual. by the porter. who sleeps in the upper
portion Of the building. and was not again visit
o'clock this morning. In the interval thus af:
Eorded the Presidents room was entered
through the aperture described, and the vault
opened. THIS vault 10 defended BY an outer
door fastened with combination lock which
was unlocked or picked, 1t bearing no
marks of injury. The keys to the second
door hung just inside the >, first door,
thlrd door WAS i pried open by means
Of q powerful screw, the force exerted bsing
sufficient TO depress the floor under, the door
percephbly. In the inner compartment thus
reached were two ,ssfee, both OF which we're
forced open, and their contents overhsuled.
One safe contained the boxes belongiag 10 spe-
cil deposit ORE, all Of which were opened and
"Rone through" In the most thorough manner.
The amount obtained from this source is not
likely reach nearly $500 600. One man. states
that his box contained coupons, bonds, &C.,
to the amount Of 10000, all Of which
was taken. No portion Of this loss falls n
the bank, they not being responsible for
specisl deposits. Only sl,out $40 600. mostly
in currency and legal tenders belonging to
the bank, together with about SO Oo0ln checks,
payable to order which cannot be.used. were
taken. The thieves overlooked between $780,
600 and t3000 900 in clearinghouse currency
and other certificates, about 500 600 in gold
certificates and, -othar securities, WhIoh they
1ere apparently afraid could not be negotlat-
ed. There was In the vault some $50 600 In
gold coin. one bag OF which was taken out OF
the ss8e but left, behind, evidently on account
Of ita weight. Mr. Okell bad q box in the safe
with the other. special deposits, which was
opened and ransaoked, but only small amount
taken from it. -
The burglars LETT behind magnificent set
OF jimmies. crows, drills and other tools, said
TO be worth over $100O besides Eve hats, some
coats overaAs, which they evidently did not
expect to need any more, having made suf-
ticieptly good haul, II they succeed In getting
away with their booty. While the burglars
covered with several thicknesses Of mating,
dsmpened, to desden the sound. After they
reached the banking room, the old coats used
ty the clerks were dampened and put In front
Of the windows. The utmost caution and de-
liberation were used by the thieves. They
we're supplied with lunch, part OF which they
left behind them, and variou, kinds ofIquor.
DEscRpT1oy or TIE IMPLEMENTS USED.
The implements used by the burglars in the
perpetraton OF this bold robbery are the most
complete and remarkable that have ever fallen
into the hands Of the police Of this city. and
has led to the impression on the part Of the
detective police that the robbery was planned
and carried into execution by two or three Of
the most ekilful bank burglars in the couotry.
A part OF the detective police. ON the other
haud, believe that the robbery was committed
:by .skikui English burglars who have recently
arrived in this country.
The tools found In the bank this morning
comprise over four hundred separate pieces.
The augers which were used in boring through
the ceiling separating the bank from the base.
ment are Of the fin sss steel and most beautiful
finish. Besides these there are erowbars,
braces, files, skeleton keys, drills, spikes,
aledge hammers and q jsck-screw, used In
forcing open the door OF the safe. that iB capa-
BILE of raising one side Of an ordinary house.
Everything that could suggest itself to burg
lars mind as likely TO be OF use-even TO the
small detail Of bottle Of machinery oil-was
found in the place.
The burglars we're also evidently prepared
for desperate resistance in case they we're
surprised at their work, as among the effects
left behind were two pairs OF steel handouts
several bowie knives. coil OF rope to tie the
person or persons entering, and box Of car
tridges, showing that they also carried re-
volvers.
Efforts have already been made TO trace the
thieves, but with little prospect ofimmedate
success, as they left behind poihipg to indicate
the direction OF their flight. The more shrewd
OF the detectives. however, believe that they
are still ed in the city and will remain IN
hiding until the excitement attending the dis
covery of the robbery has somewhat sub sided,
the better 10 enable them to escape without
Attracting attention.