The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-03
THE MYSTERIOUS ROBBERY IN PHILADELPHIA
Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars in Greenbaclks
Missing.
From the philadelphla Inquirer. August 81

From the Philadelphia Inquirer. August 81
A robbery, which up to midnight last night was
still wrapped In mystery, occurred as The United
States Arsenal Oh Friday evening last. The safe III
the Paymaster's once was entered and robbed OF
$4,000 In greenbacks. aud, strange to relate, the
thief or thieves left behind Two packages containing
$4,000 each.
government sale TOOK place at the Arsenal on Thurs
day. and a considerable sum OF money was realized
by the same. In additlon to the ready cash several
checks were received in payment Tor goods pur-
chased. The acting Paymaster, Mr.. Collins, pro-
ceeded to the bank on Friday morning, and had the
ne deposited with the United States Assistant
Treasurer, and then hurried back to the Arsenal for
the purpose Of obtaining the $4,000 which he had
ton to deposit that amount in the afternoon On
reaching the arsenal he found he was too late to
turn Treasury ONCE, and consulting Captain
Gill, assistant quartermasLer in command Of the or
sena he directed to keep the money the safe
over night. Previous to leaving the office Mr. col
Inns particular to see chat everything was right.
The safe was locked as usual, and the guard In
structed 70 keep sharp watch. The captain did not
entertain the least fear Of robbery, kn0winR that
guard was duty all around the buildings through
out the night. MI. Collins on visiting his offce on
Saturday morning, opened the safe Tor the purpose
OF removing the money TO the United States
Treasury and was surprised to see the evidence
that some had been there before him. Out OF the
$45 600 only $20,O was remaining. This InfOrma-
ton was conveyed to Captain Gill; who sent q
messenger 70 inform Mayor Fox OF tue robbery:
men To make an investigation winch, as previously
stated, has not developed anything. Yesterday ms
Honor assisted the 0BCerS IN tnelr lab0fS. and u
number of persons employed In and around the
arsenal were examined In reference to the theft.
Tue safe had not been blown or pried open in
fact, there was no outward evidence whatever that
1t had been tanpered with. The conclusion arrived
at was that 1t had been entered by means OF Key
made from the original. The watchman on duty
near the olfice-a son OF Captain Gnl-was
questioned. but be denied seeing or hearing
any one near the place during the night.
The guards all around the building were examined,
with like result. The stolen money was
contained IN seven envelopes and then wrapped up
IN one large piece OF yellow paper. This package was
tied with string to two smaller packages c6htain-
ing $40, 0O0 which left by the thief or thieves
undisturbed. Several OF the residents WITHIN the
Enclosure and clerks have been placed under police
surveillance, only to be released when the mystery
IS solved. AS there is no actual proof against them
il has not been deemed proper to lock them up,
although the officers who are working MP the case
are very strongly impressed with the belief that
they will ferret out the mystery appertaining to She
with the most commendable perseverance and zeal
since the discovery OF the event. which one of the
most peculiarly startling character since that OF the
robbery at Twelfth and Chestnut streets.