The New York herald., 1869-09-08
Tine ATTEMPTED BANK ROBBERY At ROCHE n n.

Description of How the Thing wus Done.
Rochester, N H., Sept. p correspondence OF the
Boston JOurnall
Tho following Is an account OF the attempted bank
robbery which produced such cOmmotion In our
usually quiet town yesterday morning. The build
1ng 10 OF brick, situated the compact part OF the
village, and occupied by the Norway Plains Savings
Bank and by John McDufree Co., private bankers,
who use the same once and the same vault. To
crect an entrance the robbers selected a window
nearly concealed from view Of the street. but they
evidently found more difficulty than they expected
IN working through tho shutter, which was lined
with iron and resisted their tools. IL was evidently
pried OF by force. The vault Is OF granite, with
There are two heavy iron DOORS with q
variety OF locks. ancient and modern, anu inside
OF the vault Is steel sa1e Win one oi @ se hos, %
approved and expensive locks. story mas uecn
circulated that the outer door OF the vault was not
locked. The only foundation for II Is tnls:TIhe @
bolts were all turned, but there was small dial
lock on the door which Is used TO cover tne Key
holes but which had become so tnat tne
Oficers were in danger OF being locked out by II.
On the night Of the ROBBERY this dual was placed In
its position so that single revolution IN one dlrec
tion would lock IT, while SNORT turn In Tue otnef
An the direction to lock It, thus destroying their only
chance to operate through the keyholes. They then
by the side OF the door TIL they came against the
granite and could 60 no further. Inrough this
charge OF nowder between the two doors The explo-
sion forced open the outer door and shook the
building SO as to break the plasterlng ana the win
dOws. The noise awakened several families living
near by. Lights appeared IN the houses, and IL Is
supposed the burglars saw them and did not return.
The explosion was probably heavier than they ex-
pected. Two empty powder cansters indicate that
about two pounds Of powder were used. Although
many people were aroused. no one appeared to MIS-
trust the Of the shock and at ha-past four IN
she morning two hours after the explosion, hre was
discovered and the alarm given. The fire was easily
extnguished and but little damage was done.
dark lantern several bars, bits. glmlets, &c were
left In the In the course oil the day the vault
was repaired and the locks and doors again put In
working order. Upon one OF these doors IS curious
lock which has gained some fame 1t was invented
and made thirty 1--we years ago by Charles Dennett
an ingenious mechanic, and one OF the first directors
of the Rochester Bank. There Is not another lock In
che world like it, IL is not highly finished, but very
strong and perfectly original in design. Twenty-six
years ago, when an attempt was made upon this
bank, this lock was twice charged with powder and
exploded, yet It did not give way. 1t is now in as
good condition. apparently, as when it was made.
Many years since a lOcksmith came from New YORK
20 this place to sell, possible bank lock- and ne
laughed at this specimen OF q c0untryman's SKILL
which he assured the cashier ne could pick In half
IN hour. He was promised that the bank would buy
one OF his locks II he could do so. The bolt was
thrown out with the door open, to give him every
facility and the key placed in his hand He took his
own time and after several hours hard work, with
out any progress, he concluded TO go home, taking
his own lock with him. The bank offers reward
of $500 and the town $500 more for the arrest and
conviction OF the burglars.