New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-04
INGENIOUS BANK ROBBERY.
THE KFNsINGTON NATIONAL BANK OF PHTLA-
DELPHIA ROBBED OF ABOUT sbJ,UU-DAklNG
STRATEGY OF THE BURGLARS.

| THE KENsINGTON NATIONAL BANK OF PHILA-
DELPHIA ROBBED OF ABOUT S65, 0OO-DARING
STRATEGY OF THE BURGLARS.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 3.-Tbe KensingtOn
National Bank Of this city robbed early this morning
OF special posts amounting in value to about $4,000
In conception execution, this burglary OF the
most cunning and audacious on record. just before
closing hours yesterday man, dressed IN the Uniform OF
policeman called at the bank and asked to see the
cashier Mr.. William Mcconnell He wa shown into the
cashiers ROOM and there he informed Mr. Mcconnell that
the police authorities had received Information that the
bank would robbed during the night and he had been
detailed by Lieut.. Clarke Of the Tenth District Police to
caution the officers and be suggested that the watchmen
should he instructed TO exercise greater vigilance The
man then left Mr. Mcconnell thon sent for the watch
men, John Holmes and Thomas Murphy. When they ap-
peared he stated the them told them TO he on
their guard against everybody and 10 shoot down any
person who any attempt to break into the premises
The officers and clerks left the institution, and the watch
men took charge OF the building.
At about "A O'Clock in the evening there was
a rap at the front door OF the bank. The wstchmen
peeped out and two men, dressed as policemen The
door was partly opened and the outsiders remarked
Well You are watching closely. We have been sent by
Lieut. Clarke to keep YOU company" Another glance
was taken at the Everything seemed to be regular
Caps, coats. pants &c. were all correct " Come IN
said one Of the watchmen, and the door was opened
The men walked IN and looked around A few words OF
conversation ensued, and then one OF the policemen
Murphy to get him a drink or water. murphy
started for the hydrant As be had got beyond
hearing Holmes was suddenly attacked and gag was
stuffed into mouth before he had time 70 give any
alarm His legs ana arms were ueu ana hhhucuhs VIZ
placed on his The two men then started IN the
direction in which Murphy had gone, ana met MN IT,
turning with the wafer There vas no appear snoc "a
anything being wrong. Murphy handed the cup 10 the
individual who had asked for the water and he com
menced drinking. The unsuspeclhg Murphy Was ln-h
seized by the other fellow and was tied ana handeuned
tbe Presidents room, and each placed in chair.
one OF the bogus policemen Sat down drew revolver.
and said II Is all right now; III Keep watch with YOU
The other man went 10 the front door, unooited 1t,
aud admitted two other men.
The robbers then commenced operations upon the
vault and after much labor they succeeded IN forcing
the hinges the door from the wall The doors fell of
TN boxes containing yaluables belonging to dep4s-
itors and which had been left at the bank in the
usual manner for sae-keeping until morning These
boxes were down and broken OPEN The contents
to have undergone careful examination: Ghsoks,
registered bonds and mortgages we're scattered ABOUT
the floor OF the banEngroom, and an caAn anu coupon
bonds were taken possession OF by the ronoefs se
tackled. They worked upon the door, III Is supposed IoI
II did not Weld 10 the powerful tools which must eyi
IDENTITY have been used upon IT, ana the ro9Ders Were
foed their attempt to get at the money and securities
While the work wss going at the safe, the bogus
policeman sitting with the watchmen, who, IN Their
cramped condition occupied most unpleasant and dis
agreeable position. About O'Clock In me morning the
burglars took their departure. They dd nov IeIea tho
watchmen however but left them % get out OF thtr az
fculty the best way they could Their hands being Sc
curely fastened ald their legs tied the poor men "eI
not able To do much but they slid out Of the chairs ana
managed work their way 20 each other Iheh aIeer
much trouble they succeeded in getting loose the ropes
with which their legs were bound Having gained tue
use their egs, they went into a mill ADJOINING VIC
hank where me gags removed from their mouths
and the handouts filed of. When the oincefs
reached the bank II was Iound that te 49, that
safe had been 80 much injured BY the ROBBERS tha'
they could be unfasened, and Mr. g. Malser Saie
maker, sent for TO open the safe. Ilis was n'
accomplished during the day, however ana the puioSs
OF the bank Was much derangcd OF course. 49,.
When the robbery OF the bank became known thls
morning much exeitement created among depoetors
and by o'clock, women with children IN eif anu
With faces full OF trouble hard-wOrkng mechanics ana
laborers of every KIND and the capitalists VINO nav
their places Of business In the vicinity gathered anu
were irrepresble their opportunities to know lDey
had lost anything In spite OF the repeated Proteaba
tOu of mo" the officers Of the institution were ioreeo
10 put pacard its doors with this written
mant: ''The Bank lOses nothing by the tooDery Ine
iron safe damaged, but cannot DE- opened Tue larger
LOSSES far they have been ascertalneu are as li
lows: Scull Rex, $4,000; Bell Russell, EWi low
land A. EVEN 5000 The statement OF the Bank
made last week Was as follows Capital $4,000 loans
IN I22 s57 specie, $3.50; egaltender notes. tV5Vo'
owing other banks tll,596 owing 10 Other Dahs
Al los; deposits, tg7O763 circulation t2i'tOi.