The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-03-12
THE ERIE SAFE ENTERED.

Confusion at NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Capture
Transfer Books, Some Of Which are still
Missing.
The safe OF the Erie Railway ONCE can be opened
by only three men--Mr. Otis, the Secretary OF the
new Board OF Directors; Mr.. Conner, late private
secretary to MI. Fisk and Mr.. Mortimer Smith,
who Was the Assistant secretary OF the old Board
OF Directors. At eleven O'Clock Mr.. George Crouch
was informed that Mr.. Gould had sent for Mr..
Mortimer Smith. The fact that the latter
was one Of the three persons who had
possession OF the knowledge necessary to the OPEN
Ing Of the safe awoke the suspicious OF Mr.. Crouch.
and he Immediately took the precaution or station.
ing TWO Of Captain Pettys men to watch the door.
In snort time MI. Mortimer Smith, accompanied
by Mr.. II. N. smith, of the firm Of Smith, Gould Il
Martini and who Is said to have been somewhat no.
stock OF the Hannibal ana ST. Joseph Rail:
road, entered the sale and commenced
and forced them to surrender what they mad TAKEN
The two Smiths ale Led In defence oil their action
that they were simply taking private papers OF MI.
Gould's. Mr.. Mortimer Smith afterwards waited
upon Mr.. Archer with this explanation and Mr..
Archer aid not entertain any suspcions that his IL.
hough lie refused absolutely to allow auy papers
THE TREASURY TIRE ATENED
At about half-p past eleven the crowd OF r0ughs
who lined the stairway and filled the lobbie5 made
movemenI as Il they Intended 10 at ack the treas
FIRST moor OF the building near Eighth avenue. Mr..
WHITE The Treasurer, however, was already mere IN
charge, and strong force was sent down TO support
him. The treasury office Is almost entirely isolated
from the rest OF the buldng, N 1t were not for an
elevator winch connects 1t with the second moor.
AS the cased was ~ was in vertabe state OF siege,
the doors ana windows Kept firmly barred and
guarded against every attempt to attack on the part
OF the enemy.
ANOTHER CHARGE ON TIE SAFE,
Ten minutes after the movement on tine treasury
those who were seated In the Directors room
saw through window which looks into Ithe vestl-
bue several men descending winding stairway
which leads TO tue sale. Each one was laden Win
books and papers. The HER AID reporter first no.
ticed them, and shortly altcrward shout
was raised without, 'Tnerel arrest those menu
Then ensued slight scramble. The men were
seized, ana tue books which they had, proving to
be the stransier booksn were taken back 10 the
safe. AS they had, however. made one or two
trips mp ana down the stairs bcfOrc being dls-
covered o good deal Of the property must have
been secured by them which was not recovered. One
OF them. by name J. II. Whitaker, was arrested
and detained. While this incident was occurring
the persons the Directors room and the PresldenrR
room mounted excCediv upon the heaters near the
window aud looked on with eagerness the door OF
the particular passage which leads 20 the safe stairs
was crowded with the loungers. VINO Wcro waiting
about for purposes best known to themselves.
dudley Fields CLERK took some OF the BOOKS into
the law office, anu these were not recovered.