National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-25
DARING BURGLARY.
THE SAFE IN THE OFFICE OF THE DIS
TRICT ATTORNEY BLOWN OPEN AND

THE SAFE IN THE OFFICE OF THE DIS
TRICT ATTORNEY BLOWN OPEN AND
RIFLED.
ON Thursday morning Mr.. Richard Harrins.
ton, assistant attorney for the District receiseo
an anonymous letter, postmarked New folk, IN
forming him that an attempt would De maae 70
enter his office and rob It The writer stateo ina.
his object IN giving the information was to toeat
certain parties who had treated hin eaVy. AT
first sight Mr.. Harrington made up hia mind to
nav no attention % It, bat "so9:r second
Thought prevailed, and be isia .ne ,Ssser oeiore
called mon. and Il was soon agreed that II wo6ld
do no harm to keep lookout
In acccrdance with TINS re eh ABOUT sea
Ciarvoe splapted" themselves h the vicinity Of
the once for the purpose OF review, They had
When sbost II O'Clock tive men were noticed ap,
proaching the building IN peculiar manner.
One entered the main hall and theother remained
out q moment after, and the pair departed to-
The esncers still kep. watch, and had the salts
times within an hour.
About II O'Clock the same two men were noticed
esmisz asounS the corner Of FoaI.,nd,a- half
entered the building BY the main door, vAich they
closed behind them
window in the front once, and amer looking
around closed the window and fastened the inside
skaters. On approaching, the officers could bear
was deemed best not to arrest them while In the
act but to ''pipe them of, to ascertain VINO were
As there is q back way, the M.ior concluded to
call for aid, and proceeding TO headquarteIs met
with Detectives Sargent, Miller and McElfresh,
informed q The SITUATION and posted n the rear
Of the building to await events.
After waiting an hour heavy explosion was
heard, which proved to be the blowing up Of the
safe. Subsequently, after oil had become quiet,
the two appeared ct the door, one with large
sack valise, and after walking OF few yards to
ton and the larger one Of the two, who carried
the valise starting in the direction Of Fifth street.
the men in the rear. they eoncluded to follow the
latter, which they did up to z street, near Six
teenth. This was for the purpose of finding ex-
know the cause Of the mysterious affair. After
the man had reached this point he evidently be-
came aware Of the fact that he was followed, and
sought shelter under porch, where he was ar
rested. He at first was disposed to be indignant
but after ascertaining who had him made no re-
anu "a b ShOTs ne ss inns
revolver with all the chambers loaded, and the
valise, containing the entire contents OF the safe
amount Of coin, and few United States bonds.
Most Of the tools used by the burglars were LETT
in the ofhce, and have since been taken away by
Chief Clarvoe. They are very hne kit Among
them are seven or eight fine steel limmeys, with
large number Of steel wedges OF various sizes
Tor saIe WOrk, three cAns OF DupOQLs Dett riue
powder, and Q coil of fuse with percussion ends,
ball Of putty, paper of tacks, heavy sledge ham
mer, tongs, wrenchee, &C.
The door Of the safe was completely shattered
by the explosion Of the powder, which appears TO
knob, which had BEN KNOCKED OF. An inside
door Of iron probably prevented the papers from
being burned, as they were all in perfect order
The folding doors between the front and back
ofices were blown OF the hinges and shivered
The glass in both front and rear windows was
shIvered, and the room In the greatest disorder
imaginable.
The prisoner, who is q fine, intelligent looking
man, is known to be professional burglar. He
gives his name as VIM. Benton, and maintains O
calm and composed demeanor. He declines to
enter into any conversation, and with character
istic impudence says he is illegally held.
Some Of the tools used in this job have been
recognized by the stonemasons In the employment
of Mr.. NJ. g. Emery, whose stable and Toulouse
were broken into and robbed. The eledge-ham-
mer, pair Of tongs, and several cold chisels were
found to have the names of the owners upon them.
Mr.. Benton will have his photograph taken to-
day with which to grace the rogues gallery, but
it is not probable that he will be called upon to
plead for several days, as the officers expect to
make further arrests.