The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-17
TIE BURGLARS KIT.
A Factory That Manufactures Burglars
Tools Exclusively.

one in the United States, the export
value of the machinery of this kind
made in the country and sent to for
eign lands in 1884 running up to total
value of S275, 25S.44. Yet few readers
probably have ever been inside of
factory of this kind. In order to
let the great majority into the secrets
of the art reporter entered an estab-
/ lishment just beyond the Larimer street
bridge. He was cordially received by
the foreman of the shop, who kindly
/ escorted him through it, explaining at
the same time the different articles
turned out and the manner of making.
This" said the foreman, lis the
CUtrow electric saw and an instrument
which 1 feel safe in prophesying will
revolutionize the burglary business.
The reporter examined the saw care
fully, but could see nothing about it
differing greatly from an ordinary rib
bon saw with the exception that there
were no teeth on the steel ribbon.
This ribbon" said the gentleman.
sis made of platinum. Its design is
to saw safes open. BY the ordinary
use of the machine it would in due
course of time saw a safe open. But as
dispatch is an essential element in the
business of burglary, something speed
Ter is needed. Now what is needed is
to increase the cutting power of the
ribbon. This will be done by heating
it to a white heat by electricity When
= h. s.,
sulated the hardest burglar-proOf safe
can be sawed open as easily as though
made of wood and in less time"
But where is the electricity to be
had?"
Easily enough. Most large stores
are lighted with electric lights, and all
the burglar will have to do will be to
divert the current to the machine. Il
matter requiring but a moments
work"
How does the electricity aid the ma
chine?"
why it fuses the iron it comes in
contact with. just look here"
The foreman started the machine in
motion, at the same time throwing on
current of electricity from dynamo
machine. The ribbon ut once became
! a pink white. He then started it in mo-
ton by turning a crank with his hand.
! The ribbon moved up on its frame I'M
til it came in contact with a heavy an
vii, from which Il portion had been cut
away previously. The ribbon moved
| into the anvil with as much ease as
though it were Il cake Of cheese, and
passed through it dropping off large
slice to one side and falling with dull
but not sickening thud.
A steel crowbar was tried next and q
fragment taken off it with almost as
much ease.
Its daisy" said the elucidator.
land will exercise the ingenuity of
the safe-makers before they manage to
get up a safe hard enough to withstand
its electrical edge"
How long would it take to saw
through safe with this?"
Not more than an hour on any safe
that l have yet seem"
But would it not be little awk-
ward for burglarto carry one of these
machines around with hlm?n
''Oh, bless you, no, not in the least.
Y on see, this is made in sections and
carried in any ordinary hand-satchel.
1t requires but few moments to either
take it apart and put it together again"
Are there any of them in use?'
Not yet. This has only just been
perfected, and we are now arranging
for their manufacture on an extended
scale"
as it patented"
No. Owing to prejudice existing
in the patent office at Washington we
do not usually patent our articles.
Here is one, however, that we have had
patented. This is an automatic spray
fountain. and is designed for filling a
room and chloroformin@ people while
they sleep. We turn out very large
number of these, they being in use in
jaiIs and insane asylums for gaining
control of dangerous inmates.
What is this?' asked the reporter.
''Oh, that? 1t is a little implement
greatly in demand by house-breakers of
late. The screw there is intended to
bring pressure to bear upon the hand
CT the subject sufficient to make him
ready to give up his money
But is it not painful?'
lit is extremely effective. and is only
resorted to when such mild measures
rs holding n lighted candle under the
feet fails of its purpose. But here are
our cutting bars, the finest made any
where in the west. There is bar with
which the least skillful burglar can cut
his way through the grating and gain
access to the basement of any store in
the city in five minutes time"
Is there much demand for these?'
g L shGiild say so. a large part of it
comes, however, from tiremen, who
formerly found great difficulty in get
ting into easements in fighting fires
That hook there is capable of cutting
any bar at a single twist
But what are these, fronts for
vaultS?''
Oh. no. although about as useful
for the purpose as most Of the vault
fronts are. These are screens, made.
as you see. of oiled cloth. and are used
for burglars while operating on bank
vault doors. The screen can be rolled
up into the shape of a cane. and when
in use is ranged across in front of the
vault door, which it so closely resem.
bles that, while the burglar walks be-
hind it. the night Waterman never
dreams that he is not gazing upon the
real vault front"
He displayed large number of other
tools and paraphernalia in demand
among burglars, including masks,
dark-lantelns. jimmies, crowbars, drills,
steel knuckleS, sling-shots, etc.
. How many men do you employ
asked the reporter.
- From twenty to fifty, dependinA
upOh the condition of trade. Our bus:-