The Russellville Democrat., 1878-11-07
A GIGANTIC ROBBERY.
A New York Bank MysteriOusly
 Robbed of S2, 100.
More like Conspiracy than q
 Robbery.

Between and 3 o'cock- a. m. Of October 27 masked burglnrs entered the Manhatten Savings Bank build ing, corner of broadway and Bleck CT street, and after handcufliing the janitor. made him, under threats of instant death, reveal the combina- tion Of the safe to them and deliver the keys of the bank. They rifled the vault of presumably large amount of money, as twenty tin box es known to have contained bills, were found on the floor quite empty. The building is a six story one, the the bank occupying the ground floor with entrances on both Broadway and Bleecker streets. Wendell Honl man keeps barber shop in the base ment under the bank, and the jam tor on the second floor. The barber opened his shop at tliirty-five min utes past six o'clock. He says there was nothing unusual in the bank at that time.
 At twenty minutee past nine o'clock he was startled by the ap- pearance as the head of the base ment stairs of the jaintor. Louis Wer- tel, white with excitement, with his hands tightly haudcufied and the bank key clucthed between them. He was only half dressed, and gasp ed, Thieves! Robbers! Come and see!!,, The barber accompanied him into the bank and saw the doors of the great vault wide open and the floor litered with tin boxes, all emp tied of their contents. Burglars tools were scattered in every drec tion. The barber notified the the police und Superintendent Mailing. Inspector Dilks, Capt. Byrnes anu and Capt. Kelly were soon on the scene. The doors, windows and all means of access from without were intact, and it was the thieves had en- tered by means'of keys.
 Dan. Keeiy, night watchman, said he left his post at 6 o'clock q. m. and aroused the janitor, as was his custom, aud leit the building, lock- ing the hall door after him; left the corner at 9:l0 o'clock q. m. and then every thlng was right and quiet. A Photographer who does business on all upper door says that at 6 o'clock he arrived at the budding and found the entrance open and wondered aS the careiessness of the watchman. He passed up stairs and met nobody anu heard no noise or disturbance.
 The janitor, Wertel, created an uniavorable impression on the cross examination. He said that at ten minutes past six o'clock, while he was dressing, seven masked men sud denly rushed into his room, hand cutied himself and his wife and de- handed the keys of the bank. Ills mothcr-in- low and old lady who was present screamed, when the burglars drew pistols and threatened instant death to any one wno made a noise.
 They then took hlm to an auioln ing room and forced him to give up the keys of the street doors. With these four Of the party went down stairs, leaving three on guard in his. room. Three hours passed and Wer- tel heard clock sLriKe nine. Just then one of the men from down stai s returned and after whispered con sutation they all left. Alter he re- gained his courage he went down to the barber shop as described. Wer Gel admitted to Superintendent Wal ling that be had given the coinbIna- ton unlocking the of the vault to the robbers. He gave 1t under threats of instant death, but he tail to state how he got possession ot the com bination. His wife corroborated his story of the attact, but said there were only five men In the party,