New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-31
The case will be continued to-day.
FLAMES STARTED BY BAFFLED THIEVES.

FLAMES STARTED BY BAFFLED THIEVES.
An attempt by unknown thieves to burn down a
building in which they lad been thwarted ID thelr
efforts to STEAL made at No. "a Spring-st short
]y before o'clock yesterday morning Tie build
Ing is four stories high Some Cinnamon Keep
laundry in the basement the entire hrst hooI is oc
cupjed by George NJ. Mittnacht, safe manufac-
turer aud the upper stories are rented by several
families In the rear, and connected with the sales
on the first door is shop IN wnlch MI snI de
times late i'll the evening. When the store ana
shop were closed early Oh "Wednesday eyehlRg Mt.
Mittnacht left few hundred dollars locked IN ms
1riyate safe. There was no Waterman left to guard
the place; a.. neor,o living in the house heard
heavy pounding on the first floor, but they took no
notice Of it, because il was known that MI Mltt-
nacht and bis men occasionally worked there late;
Mrs PbiPpi who lives on the second doSg went
soon afferward. She thought it strange that there
was no light in the store or shop, as the pounding
was very distinct. Mir. Reed, !aborer, who lives
on the top foor went out at 1890 a. a. to get hls
wife Who is employed s II If b4 fEaf time hne-
He returned an hour later, with his
wife to find the hall filed with smoke police
man was summoned and 1t was discovered that
out an alarm and the flames were extingulshed SO
quickly that very little damage was caused. In
looking thso9gn ne store e'fl that 6uTeaT had
been there Drills, chiseis and hammers, which
had been taken from the shop IN the rear Jay on te
The lock had been pried off and part
of the outer covering of the safe door had
been broken. 1t was evident, however, that the
thieves had abandoned the idea OF getting the sale
omen before day light. A fire had been kinded be,
tween two other safes, and when discoyeTed it had
Lurned nearly through the floor. Had not the
flames been discovered by Reed before they gained
much head way, the lives of the persons living IA
the upper pari of the building would have been in
danger The police were investigating inc me
Yesterday hut il said no clew To the thieves
had been found.
MONEY ASKED FOR REFORMING CONViCTS.
The trustees of the House of Industry and Refuge
for Discharged COnvicts have made an appeal III
behalf OF that institution. This work was begun
In 1879 in a house IN WateT-st, uudeI the
superintepdence of Michael Dunn, who had
srert thirty.Gye years III prisons in various
parts of the world. In this home discharged
prisoners received shelter and temporary EN-
ployInent and were encouraged 10 make an h0nest
living. In two years it had given shelter TO pa
men most of whom came direct from prisons. l. he
demand mon the rome in WateT-sf. becoming
greater than its resources could supply a year ago
file institution was removed 10 No. 81 Bieccker-st.
The building there las beds for twenty-s ven men,
They are lodged aud fed in the house, and as COM
pensation they required 10 make brooms, or 90
other work What they make above Their BOARD Il
paid them and besides learning a trade Tie
men are often enabled TO lay by money II savings
bank. Religious meetings are hed Oh lNico ctcti,
ings of tie week which the men are encouraged 10
attend. The trustees say the home has proved q
great success in opening the way 70 d solution OF
one of the most difficult problems OF society The
reformation of discharged convicts. Inc trustees
desire 10 obtain "A house with Accommodations Tor
100 persons and for this pdrpose they ask Tor con
tribut,ons 70 raise $4,000. HEY wish 10 occupy
this house by Nav /. Contributions may be sent to-
l.. &. Romans, United Bank Bui ding, mt WaIl-st.
and Broadway or TO any OF the following trustees
IL H. Boswell. A. 5. Hatch, John Noble Str'trns,
William H. Bliss William Hamilton Harris and NJ.
Bayarc Blown.