New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-28
THE WORK OF THE BURGLARS.

to fall on him.
THE WORK OF THE BURGLARS.
THEIR APPEARANCE IN THE JANIIOR's ROOM-THREE
HOURS OF LABOR IN OPENING A sAFE-No
ALARM EXCITED, THOUGH THE VAULT is IN
SIGHT FROM BROADWAY.
Wendell Kohlman is barber; his shop is under
the Manhattan Savings Institution, at Broadway
and Bleecker-st., having an entrance on Broadway
Yesterday morning he went to bis days work at his
usual early hour, and before unlocking his door
.epped around the corner to see the time of day by
the bank clock which stands above the safe near the
back of the room, and is plainly visible from the
window on Bleecker-st. He saw that it was G;33,
and there was nothing in the interior of the bank to
attract his special attention. He descended into
his shop and prepared for the early customer
by hOning and stTappng the instruments
Of his trade At about 020 he was startled
by the sudden appearance of man, who
frantcally threw open his door and threw
himself into chair, his face blanched
with terror newas only partially dressed; his coat
being flung over his shoulders; his hands were fas-
tened together by handouts, and between them he
held large key. He seemed overcome by his emo
tions and struggled vainly for utterance.
Mr.. HOFFMAN after gazing with bewlldered aston
ishment upon the apparitiOn, recognized Louis Wer-
tell the janitOr of the bank overhead "What on
earth is the matter ~ he asked. :" Thieves
and robbers" was the reply. The jani-
tor then told story of having been
gagged and handcuffed by gang OF robbers, who
had compelled him to give them the keys of the
bank and of the safe and who had then
robbed the bank and escaped. Together the
two men went up into the bank, where
they found the safe open, with no marks
of violence on the outer door, but with the
inner doors marred and broken by burglars tools.
AZ. IN polioa HpadOuarf nv
leaving the anitor in the despOied building Super
intendent Walling Inspector DIIks, Captain Kealy,
of the detective force and Captain Byrnes, of the
Fifteenth Precinct went to the Of the robbery
and made careful examination of all parts of the
building They also sent notices of the event to the
officers of the bank and took in custody the janltor
and all other persons known to have any knowledge
of the robbery. These persons underwent search
Ing examination at the Fifteenth Precinct Police
Station on MeTcer-st.
TIE BANK BUILDING.
The Manhattan Savings Institution is six-story
brick building, having two entrances on Broadway
and two on Bleecker-st. One Of these doors on
each street enters the bank, and the other leads
TO the rooms overhead none of which
have any communication with the bank. To the
north. on Broadway, the bank is bounded by the st.
Charles Hotel, and to the east, Bleeckerst., by
the DeSOtO Hotel. In the northeast corner of the
building is well-hOle," bounded on two sides by
the walls Of the bank building, and on
the other two by the st. Charles and
the DeSoto Hotels The windows in these
walls are guarded by iron shutters, which were
found tightly closed and secured. At the head of
the first fight of stairs leading from the
easterly entrance on Bleecker-st., Louis Wertell.
the janitor, lives with his wife and his
wifes mOther-an old lady of seventy.
The room, originally large one has been divided
into three rooms by temporary partitions, the only
light received being from window in the well
hole" Wertel is a middle-aged German of good
reputation and has been in the service of the bank
for SIX or seven years.
TIE STORY OF THE WATCHM4N.
Samuel Keely is a night Waterman employed in
The bank whose treasures he has guarded by night
for eight years 1t is ms custom before going home
IN the morning to leave the bank by the Blocker
Il door, locking il behind him; to enter the easery
door ON the street. ascend to the JanitOrs
ma knock the door; then hearing reply, to leave
The building closing the door, which fastens with
spring-lock. The Waterman testified before
the police officers that he pursued the
usual course yesterday morning; that he
knocked on WertelIs door and heard a
knock in responses; that he left the
building and stood on the corner of Broadway and
Bleecker-st until 6:l0. He was able TO fix the time
with accuracy by the fact that he met Officer Tully,
who was on his way home having been relieved by
Officer Van Norton at 6. He positive that he
left the bank secure at that time.
TIE JANITOR's REMARKABLE STATEMENT.
Louis Wertell, the janitor, told his story with
much agitation. with some slight contradictions.
and in manner which evidently did not impress
Superintendent Walling and Inspector Dilks favor
ably He said that he heard the nght-watchman's
knock aud responded TO it, and that he
arose and began dressing While sitting the
edge of the bed, putting his trousers. seven
masked men rushed into the room, with pistols in
their hands, which they pointed at him, his
wife aud bis mOther-in-law. They then
handcuffcd him and his wife and threatened to kill
them if they cried out. Thoaged mother-in-law was
not handcufcd, but was efectually prevented frem
making any effort to escape by loaded pistol which
was held against her forehead. The robbers then
told Wertell TO give them the keys to the bank on
pain Of having his brains blown out; lie obeyed,
being, as he said, in fear Of his life.
GIVING THE BURGLARS THE COMBINATION.
The Superintendent asked Wertcll how the rob.
bers had been able TO enter the vault, which has
a combination lock. At first Wertell denied all
knowledge Of the matter saying he had simply
given them the keys. but finally he admitted that
they had demanded the combination. and he had
given it them, saying: "Well, you can't open it,
anyhow"
Wertell said further that he and the women were
taken into smaller room. where they were left
under guard Of three Of the robbers. The others
went out and down the stairs At 8 o'clock, one of
the men returned and called aside one Of