New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-08-21
A BANK BURGLARY FRUSTRATED.

THE THIEVES FRIGHTENED AWAY.
AN ENTRANCE EFFECTED INTO THE LONG BRANCH
BANK BUILDING--A FRUITLEss ATTEMPT MADE
TO BLOW OPEN THE sAFE-AN OFFICER BOUND
AND GAGGED-FIvE ARRESTS on SUSPICION.
fFRoM SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE Tribunal
LONG BRANCH, Aug. 20.-An attempt to rob the
bank Of this place. last night was frustrated only
by the strength of the safe. At late hour, while
Officer Wooley was passing along the street near
the bank he was attacked by FIVE men. seized.
gagged and bound. The attack was so sudden and
unexpected that he could make defence, nor even
cry out. One of the assailants placed a pistol to
his head and threatened him with instant deathifhe
made any attempt to escape. He then taken to
an clubhouse in the vicinity, and fastened to bolt
in the floor One of the thieves was left to keep
guard over him. The others then proceeded to the
bank unlocked the door and entered. 1t is believed
that the thieves intended to compel the cashier. Mr..
f. C. Morford, to reveal the combination. man
called at his residence about 1130 p M last night
and inquired for him. The caller was informed by
the servants that Mr.. Morford was at Ocean Grove,
and went away without stating his object in wish
ing to see Mr.. Morford. After effecting an en-
trance the thieves at went to work
upon the safe. An attempt was made to force 1t
open with wedges This failed. and holes were
drilled and filed with powder. The explosion was
loud enough to be heard some distance away, but
the safe was not forced open. Soon atterward
butcher drove up to, the pump near by. and the
thieves, becoming frightened, made their escape
nv the rear door of the bank. The man guarding
Officer Wooley also fled, and that official, after
getting the gag out of his mouth, gave an alarm
and was released. The following is Officer Wooleys
statement of the AFFAIR."
shortly after l o'clock last night, or rather
this morning, was standing before j. X. Buttons
drug store at the corner of Man and South-sts.
ma
| from SOuth-St. One of tnem, q very large man,
! sprang upon me and grasDed me by the throat,
while another placed a revolver to my head, and
| said, No resistance, now, or you're dead man..
The man who had me by the throat throttled me
! until | gasped and as / opened my mouth gag
| was thrust into it; pair OF handcuns was quickly
| put on me- and a bandage tied over my eyes. Be-
| fore / could fairly realize what was going on was
being led away q man on either side OF me. Moth
ing else was SAID to me except that now and then
one of the men would caution me in hoarse whs-
per- as if attempting 10 disguise his voice. TO offer no
resistance nor attempt any alarm II | valued my
life | noticed before l was blindtolded that four
of the party wore light clothes, and one OF them
dark. One of them was a very large man, three
of them medium size, and one very small. i thihk
| would be able to identify the large one. They led
me some distance, turning several corners, aud
finally took me into what appeared to be an out
house. where, to eye-bolts secured INTO the moor,
they strapped fast both of my feet. Another strap
was passed under my aud across my chest, and
fastened 20 a third bolt behind me. One man re-
NAMED standing guard over me, occasionally gong
ont as suppose. TO recOnnOitTe The OthertOur lett
and soon after heard hammering near by, and the
blows returned sharp metallic ring From this
Judged that my place OF confinement was the out
house i'm the rear OF the bank aud that the sounds
heard were BURGLARS at work breaking open the
safe. This afterward proved TO be the case next
heard All explosion like charge OF powder
and soon after this heard the clock at the High
School strike 2, In about a half hour after tins
heard wagon drive up 10 the pump IN Branchport-
ave, opposite the bank. The hammerIng, winch
had been very loud Immediately ceased, and the
man who had been guarding me left. then ttled
to release myself. and by rubbing my head against
the partition got the gag loose rom my mouth.
then Immediately shouted for help, aud man
named Rogers, who slept IN a barn near by, heard
me and came to my release. We went first to the
bank and found the front door unlocked. Upon the
floor were a heavy sedge- hammer, several steel
wedges package of gunpOWder and quantity OF
putty then remained at the bank, sending Rogers
10 arouse Mr. w. h. Maps, the president OF the
bank and Mr.. L. G. MorfOrd the cashier Alr
Maps soon came in, but the cashier was not at
home | then went to Clark, the loo ksmlth, who
removed the handouts. ! have no suspicious Of any
parties, but think am lucky to have escaped with
my life.D
George Corlles, a butcher, says that he came to
the pump to water his horses about hall past
o'clock am, and the thieves hearing hlnd DOUBTLESS
beat hasty retreat. He says he neither heard
nor saw anything unusual in the neighhorhood OF
the bank The hammer left behind is identified as
belon. ing to ore TItiOn, blacksmith Oh Aaln-St,
and an examination of his shop showed that II had
been broken open. The gag used was made OF "A
strip of muslin and some calico tled III KNOBS lhese
and some of the broken wedges are ~ tue possession
of Detective William Rhodes of Clifton, n. j. The
wedges are of soft steel, and their make indicates
the work of a country blacksmith. The whole job
seems 10 have been too bunglins to be ascrlbed to
professional burglars.
Five arrests were made this afternoon, and the
prisoners are in the police station awaiting exam
nation. One of them Is said to be an eX-burglar OF
some notOriety. named James Hunt, who has served
"A term for burglary i'll the penltentlGry. The Others
are comparative strangers here. They retnsed TO
give their names to TIE IEIBUNE correspondent.