Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1889-02-21
CAR LOADS or Cash.
Millions fIollars Transferred from
Philadelphia 10 Washington.
THIEVES HAVE NO SHOW
Every Precautson Is Taken to Prevent
Robbery-Drtectivcs Guard Every Bag
and the Greatest Secrecy Is Main
tained-A "Reminiscences OF ,6s.

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 2l-There are <oI,-
10000 Of srecie in the vaults of the Philadel-
ptia pos toiilce Seven millions OF this is now
IN course Of transshipnent to the treasury
building at Washington, going at the rate Of
about s., 0o0, 900 day. The work began ON
Monday under direction of the Adams Ex-
press company, who are protected at every
step by secret service men, The specie is tied
up in heavy canvas bags, each containing
$1,000, which weigh sixty pounds. These
bags are sealed with the government seal,
and before passing from the vault they are
carefully scrutinized.
Fifty bags, esch containing 1000 silver
dollars and weighing in the aggregate 5000
pounds, are loaded upon a carriage or truck.
Guarded 10y two uniformed officers and the
eyes of the secret service detectives, the car
riages are wheeled to the elevator ard taken
'lown stairs and through the passage way to
Chant street At the rear entrance stands
heavy wagon of the Adams Express COM
pany The contents of the carriage are
transferred TO the wagon and manned by
four detectives, the load is conveyed to the
main Office of the company at Sixteenth and
Market streets. These $4,000 installments
arc conveyed to the depot until the million
dollars arc stored at the depot.
Each detective carr es two loaded pistols
ready for instant action. Two pairs Of the
finest automatic handouts and blackjack
complete his defensive outfit Any attempt
TO iaoleSt the precious load would invite a
yolley of pistol balls from every detective,
rs their orders are TO shoot upon the slightest
attempt at robbery.
When the sixty-pound bags of silver arrive
at the main Office they di appear as com
rletely as if the earth had opened and swal-
lowed them up The money is never seen
again until its arrival in Washington. Each
bag Of silver is placed in "a heavy oaken keg
bound with iron and sealed with the govern
ment and express coDipany's seals. These
kegs are loaded upon an express car built ex-
pre.sly for this service and lined with
wrought iron. Each car will carry 81, 100000
III silver and $4,000, 900 in gold specie. About
the movement of the ears the closest secrecy
is observed. But one person knows when it
win start on its journey or to what train 1t
viii DO attached. Awaiting his orders is
corps of armed secret service detectives
The government learned the Importance of
secrecy by severe lesson in 1861 when
81, 0U0, 600 in silver and gold was transferred
from San Francisco TO the mint in this city.
When the train arrived at Harrisburg, the
train was split into two sections, the govern
neut car being in the second section. The
first section was running at a high rate OF
speed near Frazier, when the engine plunged
over an embankment, wrecking the tram and
killing the engineer and fireman
The passengers who underworld to assist
the wounded were stoned by an invisible gang
OF robbers. The car containing the money
had been traced from San Francisco, and the
train was to be derailed for the purpose of
robbing the government. The unlocked for
split in the train defeated the plan.