The morning call., 1891-01-20
SAFES BROKEN OPEN.
Expert Cracksmen Make Rich
Haul i'm a Saloon.
They Also Smash Open the Safe of Another
Resort, But Secure No Plunder-How
the Work Was Done

The detective force is much puzzled over
a series of bold burglaries and safe break
ings that recently occurred in this city. EX-
pert cracksmen, supposed to be the same
trio who gagged the night Waterman at
the Wigwam 1heater several weeks ago
and broke open the safe there, paid their
respects to the Windsor saloon, 907 Market
street, owned by Gebhardt & Grainer, late
Sunday night or early yesterday morning.
After breaking open the safe of the saloon
the burglars rifled it and secured S400 in
coin and securities valued at as much more.
The first intimation Of the daring work
was discovered yesterday morning when the
janitor went to work in the saloon. The
place was in great disorder. An investlga-
ticn of the premises showed that the cracks
men had gained an entrance through the
trimmings and notion store, 900 Market
street a hole had been bored through the
door opposite the lock, which was ham,
mered of The hole was plugged up with
q wad of paper To avoid attracting atten-
ton. In the rear of the store door was
opened, and the burglars went along a back
passage way that leads to several stores.
Arriving at the rear of the saloon, the safe
breakers made an unsuccessful attempt to
pry open window. They could not force
the catch, and were compelled 10 climb
through a large transom.
EXPERT CRACKSMEN.
Once inside the saloon the cracksmen
proceeded in a way that plainly indicates
they are not amateurs. They lost no time
in opening the safe. Rags and old coats
left in the place by the bar-tenders were
wrapped about the thumb-knobs of the lock
so as to deaden the sound of the blows. A
heavy sledge was welded so deXtrOusly that
the knob was soon broken off. Then a
4, ft.tr in, thn and
the catch holding the levers in place was
forced out. Soon the contents of the safe
were reached, and the burglars helped
themselves to the extent stated
They seemed to be in no great haste to
make off with the plumber, for several bot
ties left on the counter showed that the
liquor had not been overlooked. They left
evidence that they also had designs on the
safe in the tailoring store next door. The
heavy sledge used in the saloon was found
in that place 1t is thought that they were
preparing to break open that safe when the
approach of some one on the sidewalk
caused them to make retreat. In their
haste they left the sledge behind as an evil
dence of their intentions. it is apparent
from tine knowledge Of the location dis
PLAYED by the crackSmen they had been
lettering about the saloon making ODserVa-
tons.
DID NOT HEAR THEM.
The night clerk at the Windsor Hotel,
whose office is next to the saloon, says the
safe must have been broken open about 2 80
O'Clock in the morning. Had 1t not occurred
at That hour he would have been in the Of
fee and heard the noise.
The same burglars are also credited with
having visited the Mercantile saloon and
lunch-hOuse at 213 and 2l5 Pine treetdurng
the time the place remained closed from
Saturday night until Monday morning.
They gained admission TO the saloon by
picking the lock off the clgar-stand in front.
closing the door after they went in. Next
they turned their attention to the saloon
safe and treated it in a similar manner to
that at the Windsor. The knob OF the safe
was hammered off. the lock was smashed
with a pick and the inner doors broken to
pieces After all their hard labor the cracks
men must have been greatly disappointed by
the discovery that the stronghold contained
nothing to reward them for their efforts.
They scattered some papers and account
books over the floor, but found nothing OF
sufficient value ~ carry away. The reason
was that Edward Ohlen, the proprietor, had
removed the money, about S700, after closing
the place Saturday night.
The keeneSt of the detective force were
working on these burglaries all day yester-
day. but were retcent as to the result Of
their Investigations.