St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-07-10
STOLE THE STAMPS.
The Minneapolis Postofflce Burglar
led of SIT 1000.
a Job Neatly and Professionally Done
AN Easy Capture Promised.


Postmaster 0. NJ. Laraway will retire
from the Minneapolis Office Just SIS, $50. 81
short in his accounts. the result of a burg
larry which occurred yesterday morning,
between and o'clock. When the stamp
department was opened yesterday morning,
it was found the window had been forced.
the safe drilled and the money and stamps,
70 the amount named. removed by the burg
lars. Only about 500 was in money, the
thieves overlooking $25 in gold lying near
by. In the postmaSter's safe, in different
part of the building, was $4,000 cash, but
this part of the Office was in charge of a
young night Waterman. whose presence.
though he slept through the burglary,
was sufficient to deter the operators from
Yenturing in that direction. The stamp
office is little coop on the right side of
the entrance, separated from the other
offices. Frosted windows conceal it from
the view of paSSers-by on Fourth street,
and more favorable spot for burglary
could scarcely be imagined. The front
doors are always open, and it was the work
OF moment to force the stamp window
and gain entrance to the safe, half hours
work on which threw the doors open. The
job was workmanlike and professional. A
blow with muffied hammer knocked the
handle off the combination, and diamond
drill soon penetrated the outer iron; with
steel punch the combination discs were
brought into line, the bolts went into the
slots and the door opened.
THE BURGLARS WERE SEEN
several times an hour before they began
operations. A. Goodwin, keeper of a res
taurant on Fourth ctroaT had rood yiaXy
Of four or five men from the window of his
darkened eating-house. as they stood on
the lighted sidewalk. Two appeared first.
the one going off at the command of
the other and returning with
three additional men. Their conversation
could not he heard, but Goodwin saw the
leader distribute weapons and tools among
the others. Mr.. Stearns, who keeps a
saloon next door. also saw the men and
earlier in the evening had sold beer to the
two who appeared leaders. In drawing
the beer he looked over his shoulder and
surprised them in the act OF exchanging
weapons and also saw dull brace in the
possession of one Of them. Fearing his
place was to be the object of their attack,
he closed as soon as possible and went to
the district telegraph Office, where he re-
manned an hour. He saw Officer Allen on
duty at the corner, but failed to convince
him there was anything wrong. Goodwin
went TO Ferguson, the night operator of the
District telegraph Office and wanted him to
call for police, but Ferguson failed to do So
for the reason that he was not given to
understood there was any urgency and be-
cause he had been given a number of false
alarms at various times About l o'clock
the neighborhood settled down to its wonted
quiet, the burglars having disappeared up
Fourth street Goodwin went to bed and
Stearns went home and about this time it
is supposed the burglars went to work.
THE POSTMASTER RESPONSIBLE.
The law is very explicit in the matter of
postofice robberies and distinctly states
that no credit will be allowed any post
master on account of stolen stamps. This
is made to prevent unprincipled officials
from robbing their offices and thus receiving
credit for the amount taken. The only re-
lief is by special act of congress, and this,
under such circumstances, is not difficult to
obtain. In the meantime, however, unless
the stamps be recovered, Mr.. Laraway
must account for the amount and trust to
congress to have is refunded. This is I'M
fortunate, coming at the end of his term,
but of course there is not a particle of
blame can attach to him. Mr.. Ankeny is
very thankful he had not been installed and
will undoubtedly profit by this affair." The
gross mistake was in frostfng the windows.
the police holding a clear street view to be
The most perfect protection.
DETECTIVES ON THEIR NETTLE.
Early in the morning the affair was COM
municated to police headquarters and at
same time was wired to Washington. The
government will send out special detec-
tives, but Col Chase and Capt. Hankinson
hnra 1,a1 h
the government force arrives. The entire
city force was put upon the case and in
formation Of capture at any moment will
will not be unexpected 1t was learned
that horse and wagon were stolen from
Hickey, MiddlemiSt 81 Taylor in the rear
OF the poStOtfice. The burglars will have no
difficulty in converting the stamps into
cash, but 1t is believed they have planted
the booty for the present.
The burglary created a profound sensa-
lion throughout the city and was the theme
Df the days conversation.
THE HORSE AND WAGON
by which the burglars seemed to effect
their escape was found by Officer Pottgieser
at Rice and University streets, ST. Paul,
and taken to the St. Paul police station at
$50 yesterday morning. The wagon was
covered one, and, as stated above, be-
iOASCu " 1lIChey, A1IuulenllSG % Taylor,
wall paper dealers at 412 Nicollet avenue.
The horse, a little chestnut, belonged to a
mail driver named Charles Heiner, who
went to the st. Paul police yesterday after
noon to get it. In the wagon was found a
15-cent stamp, Scent stamp, some clothes
and two pieces of packages marked $500"
If the robbers made their way to ST. Paul.
as the finding of the rig would suggest, they
nave not yet been Swallowed, although the
police and detectives are vigilant. A theory
is suggested that they drove out University
street to st. Paul. but abandoned the rig
just outside the city limits, caching their
booty, with the assistance of a confidential
friend.
THE INSPECTOR COMING.
Special to the Globe.
CHICAGO, July 9.-Postofice Inspector
Metcalf dispatched two of his best men to
Minneapolis to-day to investigate the post
rf1T ,l,fNrN a..