Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1882-12-21
BANK burglary as anArt.

A writer from San Francisco save when
the combination lock was invented II was
thought that burglars could no mere go
burglariz:ng. In 1872 OF 1878, however,
this fond hope was found fallscious, when
q Louisville bank was nearly "cleaned cut
of cash." TINS adrolt operation wes fol-
lowed for period of four years by a
pumSer of robberes and attempted robber
les which have never been equaled. The
gentlemen of the jimmy had the best
of the combination lock. some idea may
be had of the serious character Of this tact,
when the reader reflects that during those
years nearly three millions of money and
bonds were stolen from various banking
institutions. These most skllful robberies
were the work OF one gang or men, nor
was the proof necessary TO convict obtained
until the famous Northampton robbery, IN
the winter of 1875, when four masked
men took from the vault money and bonds
of the face value OF nearly one and q
quarter million.
propose &c tell the story Of two OF the
exploits Of this gang, which, although not
altogether successful, will snow; in part,
the amount of work required 10 break d
bank. 1t may deter lelhargic persons from
adopting the profession, because it will be
found that ev en- burglars have to work for
living. Robert Scott and Jimmy Dunlap
were the brains of the combination, the
former born in Warsaw, Ill, and the other
in Scotland. They were both ''nervy," !"
muscular, and nobby. They lived in con-
siderable style and Jared sumptuously every
day. Scott owned the celebrated trotting
mare Knox. he, in company with the
| blonde-moustached Dunlap, created no end
of sensation one season at Long Branch
being voted stunning good fellows by the
men, whIe they attracted considerable
attention among the ladies. Billy Conners,
! New Lork ''crook," was also member
Of the syndicate. The Second National
| Bank of EImira was selected for attack.
1t was decided 10 ''work the bank" through
the floor of the Young Mems Christian
Association room directly above the vault.
But they were met at the outset by an
unexpected dif1culty-the door OF the
room was an iron one, and locked with O
Hall lock. They did not understand its
| mechanism. One OF the party entered
the house of the secretary of the Young
Mems Christian Association while he was
asleep and searched his pockets to steal
the keys long enough to get an impression
in wax. The young Inan, however, had
placed the keys under the Carpet in his
room, and the robbers were thus fUiled.
| They were now ''In quandary," and were
almost ready TO give up, when Conners
heard of a lock expert who was employed
by one OF the great New York safe-makers.
| Considerable diplomacy was employed and
some half dozen interviews held before
the expert consented to reveal the secrets
of the Hall lock for $50, 900.
Conners came back TO Elmira, and Dun
lap, by some means, managed to haYe a
letter sent to the New York safe men max
ibg inquiry in regard to their goods. AS
was expected, the expert was despatched to
Elmira to ''buz" the customer" He was
| careful to make known his busine d. IL
was mentioned IN an evening paper. Scott
inserted ball OF paper in the Hall lock, in
| conse quence of which 1t was quite natural
that the expert be summoned to repair the
same. The expert took an impression of
the key, land that difficulty was surmounted.
About this time certain Mrs. Davis came
to Elmira from Baltimore and rented q
small house In the suburbs. Sine represented
her husband as commercial man, who was
almost always on the road. 1t was queer
kind of housekeeping she Kept. There was
a full set of window cul talns to the house,
a few blankets and few culinary utensils.
But she was very careful to sweep the
pavement every day and hung out an
occasional Washing"
Here the ''gang" spent their time, never