The New York herald., 1874-01-07
BURGLARIES AT ELMIRA.

Attempt To Rob the Second National
Bank-Prtvate Dwellings Ransacked-
Robbery Provented by . Robin-No
Arrests.
ELnIRA, n. Y, Jan. g. 1874
This city is infested with a gang Of burglars,
whose operations are both daring and adrolt.
Hardly night passes without Q burglary being
committed in some part OF the city, ana the police
have not been aple to make q single arrest.
The existence Of the gang first became known
when the ingenious astemps to rob the Second
National Bank was discovered last month. This
bank Is In the Opera House building, directly over
1t being the rooms Of the Young Mems Christian
Association. Mr.. Pratt, Presidents OF the bank.
having occasion one night to enter the bank, dis
covered quantity OF nne dust on the noor which
had evidently stited down through crack above.
He went at once up stairs to the Associa-
ton rooms. An oficer OF the association
was there. The carpet of the room was
taken up in corner over where the
dust had been seen. It was discovered that some
OF the boards IN the noor had been taken up and
were raised, when it was found that the masonry
OF the arch over the bank vault, Weighing several
toms had been entirely removed. In the hole were
most ingenious burglars tools, which New York
detective, who was summoned next day, says is
the most complete collection ne ever saw,
and must have cost $l.5O0 A stranger,
srs arrested n at nAs the foot ef Of the ' stairs
under suspicious circumstances. and locked up as
attempt. pit II It hi has IS since tfsnspred that several
weeks previously Myers rented small house
short distance from the bank, which was the rem
house for them. hen T xrter Myers arrest the % house
was searched. Articles corresponding with others
bank vault were found in the house, but nothing
leading TO the identity OF the robbers.
The deceive spoken Of ia,led to recognize
ne had for MS companions undoubtedly one OF the
shrewdest sets OF bank robbers in the country.
way through the iron work Of the vault, and had
access to hall q million in bonds and currency. The
csrrea co scutes rn.ouah tae
House. which they entered by means Of ialse Keys,
thence across the stage and up INTO the top OF the
building, and scattered II over the lath and plas
tering OF the ceiling. Some OF 1t was also carried
into vacant lot IN the rear Of the building Myers
tism, contracted through exposure to the night
and weather while the rest OF the gang were work.
By preconcerted signal he warned his COM
psnions when ne was arrested. and they were
enabled to keep out OF the way. That they have
berries br si that nave been committed almost nightly
ever since.
by q bright light shlning into his bedroom through
the register from below. BE sprang out OF bed and
stood on watch. General Irvine had his revolver
IN his hand and evelled lt at the burglar The lat
ter shouted to his companion below, and ran down
stairs General Irvines pistol missed IRE. He fol-
lowed after the burglars There were two One
escaped out Of q bay window tn the room below,
the other out OF the 'front.' door. The General ran
after them tor q block, wnen they escaped. Re-
turning to the house, he found that 1t
had been ransacked below stairs, and the
burglars had got away with money and valuables
to the amount Of $1,000 In the room where they
were operating when discovered furs, plate velvet
cloaks &C., TO the amount OF $1,000 or s., 000 had
been collected together in readiness to be taken
away.
About the same time the residence OF Lucius
Robinson, Vice President or the Erie Railway Com
pany, was entered Tne sleeping apartments OF
several inmates OF the house were visited and Jew
elry and money to q large amount carried away.
The burglars searched the house without disturb
ing any OF the sieepers.
The house OF Mr.. w. II. Plum was also entered.
But lor the noise made by pet robin, which was
frightened by the entrance OF the burglars, they
would have made rich haul In money and jew
see what was the matter, and discovered two
burglars escaping By the front door,
H0tchkiss' mai vas entered on the same night
There s q safe in this mill which is generally sup
posed to contain considerable money at certain
times. The efforts Of the burglars TO open the
safe were either unsuccessful or they were alarmed
at something and ned. Evidence of their work
was discovered yesterday morning.
The police have not made a single arrest for any
of these burgIar1es The mastery way In which
these robbers operate and cover up their tracks
leaves no doubt that they are experts, systemati-
cally organized Tor their business.