The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-01-16
ARE SAFES SAFE?
Interview with Boss Gopher, Who
Has Reformed
He Gives Up Some Interesting Mat
ter with Regard 10 the latest
Invention OF the Scien-
unc Burglar.
TCincinuati Enuuirer.1

Cincinnati Enquirer.l
HSafes and locksi Come and see me at the
- house tonight and may he can accom-
modate you"
The writer was promptly on hand that
night, aud. carefully secluded in the retired
precincts Of n back-room ON the second floor
Of the hotel, the reformed gopher was inter
viewed. After friendly tip and sundry
whiffs of his nicotian weed, the reporter re-
marked: Il understand that you are a re-
tired burglarT
wen Let it go at that" frankly admitted
the man.
as there any thing new I'm the businessp
yes, there is great deal Of newly dis
covered matter that the talent are working
upon at this time, and owners Of the modern
lyle Of safes with combination and time
locks are, comparatively speaking, getting
left"
The conversation had with this gentle
manly burglar covered many technicalities
of the crooks profession, but the tenor OF his
communications, however, were so plain
that those who have any concern for the
safety Of their deposits can govern them
selves accordingly after reading what fol-
lows:
1.-THE public is continually calling upon the
genius OF inventors for the perfection Of the
several appliances used for the betterment OF
every branch Of industry" remarked our in
formant. There seems 10 be no greater de-
sire prevalent among men Of means than for
something that will afford them unques-
toned protection for their dormant capital,
miscellaneous valuables, important docu-
ments, books and records Innumerable de-
vices have been invented for the purpose OF
securing the receptacles Of their treasures
from the devious ways Of the accomplished
burglar and the enterprising sneak-thief
With extraordinary and outside safeguards
in the shape Of watchmen, etc, these have
generally answered the purpose; but the in
defatigable burglar generally gets his work
In just about the time bis work Is least OK.
pected. Eternal vigilance, after all, is the
thing required. The old aphorism that no
chain is stronger than its weakest link is
truly applicable 20 safes and vaults Their
locks are at one and the same time their
strongest, yet weakest and most vulnerable
point"
How does this affect the new style Of time
and combination locks I" queried the scribe.
Coordination locks and time locks are con-
sidered the ne plus ultra of modern invention
for the security of treasure. They have
KINsu uekTes Vi Ttslsl
the ordinary tools Of the modern burglar
the wedge, drill and blow pipe. But the neces-
sity of perforating the door for the insertion
OF the spindle has caused feeling of distrust
In the minds Of practical Stockholders as TO
the propriety OF this method that persistent
arguments have failed TO dislodge, although
the possibility OF driving out or drilling has
been reduced TO a minimum by lapes or
HanUa1 sxlinHlag 4 hat,
perverted genius marches abreast with the
advance of scientific improvements"
1Well, what Is worrying the bloated bond.
holders now' Haven't they any security AT
all for their accumulated Wealth.
"No, sir! At least, am afraid not. Re
cent developments tburglariously speaking)
have tended TO cause considerable conster.
nation among those who have rested cay
under the superstition that combination and
time locks were secure beyond peradventure.
The latest freak OF the skilled professional
craftsman Is In taking advantage OF the ada
they apply In a very novel manner, to-wit,
taking advantage Of the rotary motion that
The spindle affords, the finest tempered steel
spindle can be ground down In d few
hours 10y tho same method that the glass
shoppers Of decanters are ground, TO such re-
duced proportions as to admit OF the inser.
ton Of any amount or kind Of explosives
through the crevice thereby made between
the spindle and the door"
slow is it donei
"The modus operandi Is as follows: The
safe, IL of moderate size, is laid upon itx
back, a strap or thong Of leather Of the
necessary length Is looped over the knob OF
ha uy.inala at ah n - q r.
pulling alternately produces rapid revolu.
identical with the drili-bow Of the jeweler or
accomplished by the greater force and more
rapid motion
The next requisite Is the use of q small |
stream Of water charged with corundum OF |
emery powder which is judiciously made to |
trickle against the periphery Of the spindle, |
and between the spindle and body OF the door, |
which, MS 1t carries with 1t the powder In 20 |
lution-both obeying the laws of gravitation |
thus readily penetrating the Utmost crevices |
the constant revolution OF the spindle, or, |
more properly, the seesaw motion Of tho |
leather strap, rapidly grinds down the face OF |
the spindle and the surrounding metal |
tCoarser grades Of corundum are used rs the |
grinding proceeds.
an very short period this labor reduces |
the originally well-ftting spindle to the con
dition Of the hub and axle of q WORKOUT |
cart or wagon, thus enabling the expert |
cracksman TO insert his explosive material, |
should ii be considered necessary"
"How about larger safes and bank-vaultsf |
Large safes are operated upon In sub
the same manner, with the excep
ton that, being too cumbersome to upset,
funnel and n short rubber tube Is used TO |
permit the plan and use Of the grinding |
mixture TO penetrate the crevices, and the |
rapid see-saw of the strap does the rest Of
the work"
as there nothing yet invented, or In use,
or any substance known that can success.
fully prevent this new method Of safe do
structionP
"None that am aware Of.