Milford chronicle., 1885-08-21
A REMARKABLE BURGLAR
The Career OF a Talented Safe
Opener in America.
Picking the Lock of Every Cell in the
Prison Where He was Confined,

new lOIh safe uudASI, SSV' ASPOAN
or asked:
"Do you think that expert mechan-
les in the safe trade are ever in league
with crimihals?" = %
"There are black sheep IN every
business" was the reply, "but if there
are any they are very few indeed. In
our business it pays a skilled loCksmith
better to keep honest than to go astray,
taking the risk which he necessarily
runs into consideration. The pay is
not only good but the chance of re-
ward for giving job away is cOnsid-
cradle. 1 believe that men who be-
come professional criminals take to
that mode of life from choice rather
than from the necessity. 1 think it
is largely in the blood. OF all trades
none pay better wages to skilled labor
than ours. Competition is keen and
brains command a good figure"
"HOw much will a combination
locksmith earn?"
GAN the ways from S25 to $40 a
week, not to speak of certain fees
which they have the opportunity of
receiving. In my experience of men
In this business 1 find that the MAORI
BY of those whom we consider shady
are almost invariably foreigners. The
case of August Kindt, the Belgian
bank burglar, offers the most conspic-
ious illustration. That man is a gen
Jus; thoroughly well educated, speaks
several languages and might, had he
been so disposed, have accumulated a
fortune. But crime seems to have an
irresistible fascination"
Detective Jackson of Sing Sing told
the writer the following particulars in
regard to Kindt:
"Do [ know him? I should say l
do, as well as any burglar in this coun-
try, and far better than many. Kindt
came from Belgium some seven years
ago, and obtained employment in
watch case factory in Jersey
City. While there he invented sever
al improvements in tools, and was
rapidly promoted in the shop. Three
or four weeks after his arrival several
bars of silver were missing from the
managers safe. The door was found
locked, and there was only two men
who had the combination, the princi-
pal and the manager, neither of whom
suspected Kindt. A close watch was
set, and one day it was discovered
that Kindt on coming to the shop had
some silver Cling on his clothes. The
workmen were in the habit Of chang
ing their clothing both on coming to
and departing from work. The above
aroused suspicion, and strict watch
was set on Klndt's house. More bars
were stolen, Notwithstanding the COM
bination was changed, and it was fl
nally determined to raid Kindts house.
| A close search was made, but nothing
was discovered, until one Of the detec-
tives in leaping on a window-sill
missed his footing, and in trying to
save himself from falling grabbed
hold of the sill, the top of which gave
way. The space below was almost
filed up with silver in various shapes,
watch cases, bars and nuggets.
"Kindt was arrested, but subse-
quently succeeded in escaping to Mon
treal. There he disguised himself,
changed his name and went to work
in a machine shop, and might have
done well. In few months, however,
he was concerned in a burglary on
Notre Dame street. Part of the booty
was found at his house, and he was
arrested, tried and sentenced to i'm
prisonment in the st. Vincent de Paul
Penitentiary.
"He sets his wits to work and soon
attracted the attention of the prison
officials by his remarkable indication
of talent. One day he requested an
Interview with the Warden. He OBJ
tanned it.
"'warden,' he said, this prison is
unsafe
"T guess it'll hold you securely
enough, replied that official, grimly.
"If you'll give me a chance" retort-
ed Kindt, I'll show you that I can
pick every lock in the building, safe,
cells and ALL
"The Warden had heard and seen
much of his prisoner, but for this rev.
elation he was totally unprepared.
"TIl give you a chance A time
was agreed upon, and sure enough
Kindt picked every cell lock as easily
as though it had been made of paper.
| The authorities were sVarLleu anu
alarmed. Kindt kept cool and asked
for the use Of some paper and pencil.
"'What forg replied the warden.
"To draw plan Of a lock that is to
be the best lock ever fitted into a pris-
on door The paper and pencil were
furnished him, and the result was
that he produced plan by which
through the working Of series Of
levers from a central action, all the
cells on a single tier could be opened
or closed simultaneously. His plan
was adopted, and in a short time he
made an improvement on it by which
anv one lock could be operated at will