San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-02-02
GUARDING MILLIONS IN TRANSIT.
How the Express Companies Protect the Meme,
Entrusted 10 Their Care.


Entrusted TO Their Care.
New York SUM-
In the number of packages of holiday
presents to be handled by the express
companies there does not seem to be
any falling off, but rather an increase
which taxes their facilities to the ut
most. In the matter of value, however,
there is very great decrease from
former years. ave are so pushed and
driven" a superintendent said. "that l
got in behind the counter to help the
clerks myself, and so had means OF
practically and positively knowing
something of the value of the stuff we
were handling. We make practice OF
asking consignor of package what
it's value is, not that we purpose putting
it on the package, which might be OBJ.
jectionable for various reasons, but that
we wish to write it in the receipt. Well,
in the whole day there was only one
moderately valuable thing, and that was
a ring which a gentleman said was
worth 500. AN the rest averaged
about So or $40, and there were great
quantities as low down as 50 each. l
am now speaking of the holiday pres
ent packages, of course, not OF the bus
mess shipments, which are readily dis
tinguished from the others.
at would not pay robbers to make
raid on one of our parcel wagons. The
aggregate value of all they could secure
would not be enough for the risk. With
respect to the wagons for money deliv-
cry, however, the case is very different.
There the driver and his assistant have
in charge sometimes hundreds OF
thousands of dollars-a rich haul for
the thieves if they could get att, but
that is what they cannot do. In the
first place, the region where these
money wagons are generally used is In
the most crowded part of the city-the
down town part-where there are
thousands about all the time, and it
would be impossible for thieves to
make any attempt on our drivers with
out such struggle and row as would
call attention, and not only Illustrate
the purposes of the robbers, but in all
probability insure their arrest. There
are always two men in those wagons
when they are out on duty, and care is
taken in their selection that they shall
be young, vigorous, quick-witted and
courageous fellows. They are armed
with revolvers, and they know how to
use them, but my instructions are that
they shall put more confidence in their
voices than their pistols. A pistol, even
the best, might snap, but yellis bound
to GO off. So, if attacked, they are ex-
pected to make all the uproar they can.
with any knowledge of New
York street crowds can imagine what
would be the consequence.
Besides, our wagons are arranged
80 as to put the greatest obstacles in the
way lof unwarranted Intrusion compati-
Bile with convenience. Look at this
one for illustration. It is a one!horse
vehicle with two wheels, and the only
way of getting into it is over the seat
in front, where the driver Or his part
ner, or both, will be on guard. Exter-
nally it is solid surface of vanished
wood on sides and back, except where
hat small window of thick glass, high |
lp in the rear, admits light. Internally
It is lined with heavy wire netting. In
side, filling the space behind the seat,
and fastened there, is heavy wooden
BOX, with safety lock. That box is
never opened, except when the driver
s taking out money package. When
1e leaves the wagon to deliver pack
age he locks the box and carries the
Key with him. His partner, who is left
n the wagon, has no means OF opening
he box, and it would take thieves, even
With axes and a clear field of action,
several minutes to get at its contents.
When the driver takes package out
or delivery, he is instructed to carry it
hidden or in bag slung to his left
wrist, while his right hand is free to
Use his pistol. When we have occasion
% send money up town, where there
ire comparatively few persons in the
streets, wagon is sent with single
or perhaps two, and the men
ire cautioned to extraordinary vigil
nee. The system is the same in all
he companies. Wherever an improve
nent for greater security can be devised
~ one it is Immediately communicated
@ and adopted by all the others, as all
ire equally interested in keeping up
he common reputation for absolute
afety. Then another fact may have
ome influence in our favor. The
hieves know that our companies are
'ery rich corporations, and that we will
to the utmost anybody who
makes an attack on the goods under
'ur care, regardless of cost and trouble.
l prosecution by an express company
Tould not be the perfunctory service
# an ordinary prosecuting attorney"
Unclaimed Baggage ut Auction.
IRON the Chicago Tribune.)