The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-17
AFFAIRS IN VIRGINIA.

!
THIEVES FRIGHTENED OFF-THEY LEAVE
ALL THEIR Tools BEHIND.-On Saturday
night last daring attempt was made by q
gang of burglars to rob the First National
Bank of this city. The building, situated
on the corner of Main and Bank streets, is
of stone, with an open space on three sides,
with private Waterman on duty at all
hours of the night, besides the regular po-
lice force. Knowing full we'll that any at
tempt to break into the building from the
sides would be almost instantly detected,
the thieves determined to make their at
tack through the roof. Choosing their time,
when work was suspended in the Journal
| Office they went through the composing
room Of that Office and got out through a
window upon the roof thence across either
to the roof of the Citizens Bank or to Stew
arts building, from which the descent
to the roof of the Bank building was
an easy matter. Once on the roof, they
cut away the roofing for a space of
about three feet square, and bored
with m auger through the sheathing
space of the same size. This let them
into the garnet of the building, where they
fastened cord doubled several times to Il
rafter, when one Of them descended through
q cuddy-hole into an upstairs room in the
back part of the building, where he re-
moved q tall desk from corner of the room
and placed it under the hole to facilitate
the descent of the others. After getting
into the bank they proceeded very syste-
matically and leisurely to work to open the
vault, first securing the outer door by fas-
tening it with piece of wood to prevent
interruption. The first door in their way
was wooden one, which they opened with
out difficulty. A strong iron door next re-
sisted their efforts, upon which they worked
long and arduously, drilling several holes
through it, and using crow-bar freely.
The door was finally opened, but had to be
broken to pieces before they could effect it.
They found this but the beginning Of their
troubles, % this door only led into the pas-
sage to the FAULT, and another door, quite as
strong if not stronger, awaited their attack
but few feet distant.
They made q feeble demonstration upon
the second door, when their operations
ceased from what cause is not known. In
coming out they left behind all the tools
with which they had been operating, OF
which the following is list One sectional
crow-bar, one flask of powder, one dark Ian
tern, one compass saw, one brace and eleven
drills, one brace and six bits, one screw
tap, one pair hand-shears, one drill-press,
one oil can, one box, wrench, nuts, screws,
etc.; lot of rope, fuse, etc.; valued at
about $3.50.
The burglars retraced their steps through
the Journal Office, and were met on the
steps about o'clock on Sunday morning
by an attache of that establishment, who
was asked by them for copy of Saturdays
paper. He stated that there was probably
one up stairs, but they declined to wait for
it, and passed out. This witness said that
all of them wore rubber shoes, by which
their steps were rendered noiseless. An
other attache of the same office was going
up into the composing-room about O'Clock
on Saturday night, but seeing the room lii
up, and hearing al unusual noise, he beat
hasty retreat. On Sunday morning Mr.
Hunter, Of the bank, attempted to open the
door of the building, but finding some diff
Guilty in doing SO withdrew without suspi,
cion, thinking that the lock was dcranged
in some way. No other attempt was made
TO enter until yesterday morning, when the
assistance of locksmith was found neccs-
sary to open the door.
The thieves, from the amount Of work
performed by them, must have entered the
building by II o'clock on Saturday night
and after working all night, found them
selves compelled to leave without having
attained their objects.
AS soon as the discovery of the robbery
was made yesterday morning, dense Gro Nd
gathered, and it was found necessary tc
post policeman at the door to enable the
officers of the bank to transact their usua,
business.
A pair of brass scales, kept in the room
first entered Oh the upper floor, we're found
sitting on the floor, having been taken from
the case in which they we're kept. Whether
the burglars intended to weigh the money
which they might get hold Of We are not in
formed, but from their coolncss in the whole
transaction we think it highly probable
that they intended to divide the gold ant
silver they might find by weight.
The attempt was entirely abortive, as NJ
entrance was made into the vault, much
less to the safe inside, and the thieves hac
| their trouble for their pains, besides losing
all their tools.
Several parties were arrested during the
day, aud taken before the Mayor, but no.
thing suspicious was brought against then
in evidence, and they were allowed to leave
Several clues are in the hands of the police
but from prudential reasons we withhold
mention Of them. In boldncss Of conccp-
ton and execution, We think this burglary
bears off the palm from all previous one!
in this city, and the perpetrators were evi
IDENTIFY adopts at the business. -Nortoh
Vuginion, 10Th.