The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-09-06
KEYS o. THE TRFA JURY.

Tie Treasurer of the United states,
Mr.. Gilillan. has completed collection
of keys to the Treasury vaults and money
boxes in use before the introduction Of
combination locks. The collection num-
bccs fifteen keys, which have been ar
ranged in neat walnut case. and now
decorate the walls of the Treasurer's Of
fee. The first in chronological order is
a vcritable patriarch Of the key family.
1t is about seven inches long. weighs over
a pound, and makes great display Of
notches which fitted into the complicated
wards of the lock. Judging from the
finish of the key, the lock was evidently
regarded in its day as a masterpiece of
ingenuity of mechanism. The exploits
Of modern experts would smile at such Il
barrier between themselves and the gilt
tering treasure. The known history of
this key goes back at least half century
and its custodian for years was Virgin
ian named Colonel Mutt, the Cashier in
the Treasurer office. The colonel was
according to accounts, a true type of the
old-time Nirginian-ta!l. erect and meas
uring over six feet. wearing certain air
Of the cavalier which would have iustiii-
ed some notions of the boastcd chivalrv
Of the Old Dominion. He lived Oh the
soil of his native State. and every morn
ing rode into Washington over the long
bridge: in summer time, trying his raw
boned Virginia PAGER in grove near the
department, where mighty buildings now
stand, the colonel strobe along the corri-
doris of the Treasury. with his spurs
clanking on the paved way and cracking
his riding whip staggered into his office.
His first act was to haul the immense safe
key out of a wallet he carried about his
person, and to an admiring audience of
accountants, tcllers, clerks, messengers
and boys would preface the formality of
opening the antique strap-iron box by dc
scanting on the complicated interior ar
rangement Of the lock, and the number
of tumbers the awe-inspirng intrument
he held i'll his hand knocked down at a
single turn i'll the intricate wards. The
money boxes, too, We're Il neyer-endinm
and fruitful theme the venerable Mutt $
admiration. lie spoke of tie welded
straps of iron and the innumerable bolts
which marked the intersection OF the web.
The colonel continued in Office until Viz
ginia Joined her fortunes to the snspira-
cy against the Union. and then one after
noon, after he had drawn his pay, was
last seen cantcring toward the Potomac
and across into his native State. Another
key. as large as Colonel Nuts and much
more worn, has its notches shaped like a
letter I. 1t is said that from this the kew
represented III the seal of the Treasury
Department was designed. AS the i'm
provcment III locks began noticeable
change in the formation Of the keys
is indicated. Next comes pair that
resemble the handle of tourniuuet,
and following the intermediate stages
are two heavy brace keys contain
ing in themselves a combination formed
by strips Of metal of different lengths and
numbered. The combinations we're var
led iii changing the arrangements of these
strips i'll the key. As lock picking grew
to an art, and the ingenuity Of the inven-
tor was brought into competition with
the ingenuity of the burglar, the use OF
keys was abandoned. and from wear to
year, as millions Of treasure and Securi-
ties and notes filed the vaults. all the
latest and most secure appliances were
introduced. After careful and thorough
examination, the Sergeant time and
cilronomctcr combination lock was adopt
ed i'll each vault. Every night under
the superintendent of the Treasurer.
and by trusted and tried custodianS. each
thermometer in the lock is wound and
set for $50 AN. When once in motion
there is no possible way to open it, even
by the officers authorized to know the
combination. No key is used. the whole
delicate mechanism responding to limit
of time and the application of i word OF
figures to the parts iuliling the combini-
ton.