The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-02-03
CITH LLEG GRNC r..
DARING BANK ROBBERY.
THE MOST ARrFUL DODGE ON RECORD

Watcbmen raken In by the strateEem, and
Disposed OF bv Gags and HRndcuns-The
Fire-prOOf Forced Open, and All the Private
Deposits secured-rh Bank safe Dehes the
burglars, and the Bank Loses None of its
Own Moneys or VniuabIes-The Work Done
by Accomplished Professionals.
The boldness and daring of bank burglars have
often been fruitful theme for discussion,
usually ending with the expression, "It they
only had been used in a worthier causem But
we have to chronicle to-day piece of audacity
on the part of these same birds of prey which,
for cunning and GOODNESS, fairly outstrips any
thing within our memory that has transpred in
the Quaker City, while at the same time it gives
powerful demonstration of the weakness
which bank officers often display in the selec-
tion of servants to guard with Jealous eve"
the property of depostors.
On the east side of Beach street, and but
short distance south of Laurel, stands q three
story brick building, wearing an old-time look,
and upon the cornice of which, in brilliant let
tiers, we find the title
"KBNsINGToN NATIONAL BANK"
In this time-honored budngs the marvellous
occurrence of which we are about to give the
details transpired.
Just as the hour of closing the bank had
approached yesterday afternoon, police officer,
with nothing about him to denote that he was
not conservator of the public peace, stepped
quickly into the counting-room and asked for
the cashier. This gentleman being busy hesi-
tated few moments before complying with
this request, and the interim was improved by
terror of that portion of the building devoted to
the uses of the corporation. AS there was
nothing unusual in this gaping curiosity of the
officer, and as he displayed his mace in man
ner quite conspicuous, suspicion on the part of
the bank officials was not aroused Finally,
Mr.. William Mcconnell the cashier asked his
business, and was startled when he answered.
"There have been some suspicious characters
lurking about the neighborhOod lately, and the
lieutenant of the district desired me to tell you
that they might attempt to break in"
This intelligence was at once retailed to every
attache of the bank, but no further action was
taken regarding it than to call up the two
watchmen who nightly guard the institution,
and whose names are respectively John Holmes
and Morris Murphy, and give them particular
instructions TO let no person inside the bank
building after ii acdS once closed. The doors
were then locked, and the watchmen were left
alone to protect the precious trust confded to
them. But now IL happened that the over-zeal-
business which the officials brought to bear upon
this important occasion contributed to their own
defeat and the Generalization of the bank safes.
About o'clock, while the watchmen were en-
joying their otiurn cum dignitdte, a rap was
heard upon the bank door.
This startled them, for how could they tell
but what 1t was the noise of jimmy or a bit?
They proceeded quietly to the front of the
counting-room, when another rap was heard.
Then upon opening the door no burglars did
they see, but on the contrary, and much to their
satisfaction, two police officers fully equipped
for night duty; and great was their joy when
one of them spoke out:-"Jhe lieutenant has
heard from good sources that this bank will be
robbed tonight, and he sent us to aid you in
protecting it."
Such kindness, such consideration on the part
of the officers could not fail to make deep
impression in the minds of the private watch
men; and the policemen having thus stepped
into their good graces, were eventually asked
to step into the bank, and this they did, not too
eagerly, for this might have aroused suspicion,
but languidly. Now they entered all upon
little discussion as to the reliability of the ru-
mors that the bank was to be robbed, when one
of the policemen said, II am very dry; wish
had drink"
THAT you can have" responded one of the
watchmen, and he started off to the end OF a
hall leading to door issuing into the yard of
the bank, followed by one of the policemen.
The other remained in conversation a moment
with watchman No. 2, and then told him, "You
had better look out of doors and see if you can
see any one coming" and this Mr.. Watchman
No. 2, who was no less q parsonage than Morris
Murphy, complacently agreed to do. No sooner
was the door closed upon him than the police
man rejoined his compeer and watchman No. l,
Mr.. John Holmes, who was at that time draw
ing q glassful of water for his thirsty
friend; but ere he had filed it the two officers
seized him, gagged him, and in trce mana
cled him and had him stretched his full length
on the floor where, with pistol uncomfortably
near his head, Mr.. Holmes was intimidated into
silence. Being thus reduced to a condition of
utter helplessness, and therefore no longer to be
feared, Mr.. Holmes, with his eyes starting with
terror from their sockets, was left PROSTATE in
the hall, while the policemen no longer but
burglars, FASTENED to the front door, which they
had no sooner reached than Mr.. Murphy
stepped in, and in twinkling was used after
the fashion of Mr.. Holmes Here then, lay
at either end of the hall, as powerless as babes,
the private watchmen to whom had been given
the charge of the treasures of the bank for safe
keeping.
The way being clear of all human interfe-
renee, the two burglars proceeded to the front
door of the bank and signalled third person,
who issued from some nook in the vicinity and
entered the bank. With his aid the gagged and
handcuffed watchmen were carried from the
hall back of the counting desks and into the
presidents room, where they were kept in
state of remarkable quiescence by this burglar
No. g. who sat near them, with revolver un-l
pleasantly pointed in their direction. The
watehmen confessed afterwards that this looked
like supererogaton, as their legs were tied,
their hands were handcufted behiHd them, a
handkerchief had been tied about their mouths,
and a rope had been placed over this.
Now was the way clear for the important
work of smashing the safes; and speedily from
theIpockets of the burglars coats came packages
of wedges, and bits, and fine steel saws, and
keys, and from some other place, which must
yet remain in impenetrable mystery, huge sledge
was to get into the ire-proof This was built
about in the centre of the lower floor. Its walls
ran from floor TO ceiling. Its length was
ten feet, its width eight, and the thickness
of it's walls twenty inches. The only means OF
gaining an entrance were either to cut through
Its walls, or break off the iron doors. To the
expert burglar the latter is far preferable. The
outer door to the proof was made out OF single
plate of heavy iron. Between it and the lamb of
the door five steel wedges were inserted and
these were forced in by repeated blows with
sledges mufIled in cloth, to deaden the sound.
Soon an aperture appeared large enough to
admit the point of a jimmy, and then the door
was wrenched off in a few moments. This off,
ha1ra ar1arc Aiep nf