Connecticut western news., 1880-08-04
The Norfolk Post Office Burglary.

Last Thursday morning at about o'clock, Mrs. o. H. Wolcott, the post-mistress at Nor folk was awakened by loud explosion ap- parently near by, which caused her to sus- pect that mischief was being wrought. She got up and went to the windows facing the savings bank, naturally supposing that to be the place most likely to be visited by burglars. The moon was shining brightly Seeing nothing unusual about the appearance of the bank and hearing no further sounds, she looked across the street to the little post of flee, but as all seemed quiet and appeared as usual there, she went back to bed, thinking nothing more about it. In the morning, however, about o'clock, on looking toward the post office, she noticed that the clap. boards CD the west side were loosened, and the side of the building was bulging out. Then the truth flashed upon her, that the office had been burglarized and the suspicious sound she had heard, had emanated from there. She hurried across, and on opening the door, scene of confusion greeted her eye, that told the whole story. The safe, which originally stood in the corner, was ly- ing in the middle of the floor shattered out of all semblance to anything that might be de- pended upon for security. On the floor lay seven or eight watches both new and second hand, which Mrs Wolcott had on sale, being the remnants of the stock o1 hand at the time of the late MT. Wolcott's death who kept a jewelry establishment in connection with the post office. The case of the large regulator was completely ruined by the explosion, and barely hung to the hook in the wall. A show case on the counter was smashed, another perpendicular show case sustained consider able broken glass, with which the floor was strewn. Near the remains of the safe. in a satchel, was found kit of burglars tools, supposed to be quite expensive as they are finely finished. A powder can was also found, containing nearly one.half pound of powder. It is noteworthy fact that although the safe contained watches, cash box con. taining pennies and nickels, anc some post age stamps of different denominations, and the show cases were full of jewelry and plated ware, nothing was taken. This fact, however, is accounted for upon the theory that the plan of the burglars was, to first blow open the safe, then to rifle it and the show cases, but, after igniting the fuse they retired through back window where they effected their entrance, and the noise of the explosion was so loud that they feared il
 would arouse the neighbors, and they depart ed, leaving not only all the valuables but their own tools~ The safe was fire-proof
 opening with key, and was valued at abou $50. The total damages will probably amount to $2O0. There is no clue to tht
 perpetrators of this outrage, and no reason tt
 suspect that "local talent' had hand in it
 The only person whom Mrs. Wolcott cal
 think of as being probably connected witl
 the burglary, is man who, the same day wa
 in the post office looking over the stock o ljewelry, and who said he contemplated locat
 ing in Norfolk in the jewelry business. H
 was rather tall, thick set, wore a plain sui with white vest, black Derby hat, had side
 whiskers somewhat gray, and withal, wa not possessed of pleasant countenance. H l also visited the bank, where he looked aroun as if contemplating the purchase of it. H went east on Cummings train Wednesda | foronOon