The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-08
LIGHT ON A ROBBERY.
Sequel to the PIundering of the
Ocean Bank.

Among the criminals recently released
from the Ohio Pen under the good time
law was George jackson, a noted burglar,
who had completed an ejght-year term
While here he told strange story about
the robbery of the Ocean Bank of New
York. one of the most celebrated in crimi-
nal records. The revelations were called
forth by the recent arrest of George Bliss
for the $4,000 jewery robbery at Giovers-
vile. N. Y. jackson formerly worked"
with Bliss, Mark Shinburn and other ex-
perts.
In 1869, the Ocean Bank. which was on
the corner of Fulton and Greenwich streets,
in New York, was robbed of over 81, 000.-
coo in cash and negotiable securities. The
crooks concerned in the biz robbery were
Mark Shnburn, Jimmy Hope, Ned Lyons,
George Bliss, Adam Worth and Isaac
Marsh. None OF them were brought TO
trial for the affair, nor was any of the SWag
ever recovered as far rs known. The rob
berry has always been con sldered as ''oD the
square," but Jackson's story throws new
light upon it.
"The Ocean Bank" said Jackson, was
an oid-established concern. It's depositors
were principally wholesale butchers, fish and
oyster men. The officers had Quilted the
supposed well-fiiled vaults and the time
was fast approaching when discovery seemed
inevitable. In some way they became ac-
quainted with Bliss, to whom they made
Overtures to burglarize the bank. He con-
senied for good round sum to make gang
and carry out the scheme. The basement
beneath the bank was occupied as a brokers'
Office by an old ex-s0ldier, who was above
/ suspicion. From him they rented por.
| tion. of the room, ostensibly as an eN
| change. A partition was then erected in
| such manner as TO make a new apart
| ment directly under the room OF the
| bank President. Tools were brought, and
| behind this partition the burglars went to
work. One Saturday evening, after every
| body about the bank had gone, the crakcs-
| men began to cut through the stone floor of
| the bank. Furnished with the combination
! of the outer vault door it was an easy mat
ter with wedges, powder, six-feet sectional
| jimmieS and hydraulic power to force the
| inner door. Once in the vault they made
| quick work of the burglar-safes, two in num-
Der. Nothing was left und0ne to maze the
| job success. Strips of rubber were placed
over the windows and doors, and all the
creYices were covered so as to keep the
smell of powder from escaping and the noise
from being heard. The colored janitor,
whose duty it was to look around every
hour, was evidently having his day IF, a
| practice frequently INDUCED in and win ked
| at by the officials from the force OF very
| peculiar circumstances.
Government bonds were in great demand
| at that time as Investments. Boxes con-
tanning nearly 900 in bonds were in
the vaults; at least the tin boxes were sup
| posed to contain that amount. They were
un the floor and it was not necessary to
break into the safes, but to completely
square the bank officers both were cracked.
Between $4,000 aud $4,000 in gold and
silver was left on the floor, it being alter
ward supposed that the coin was ton heavy
for the burglars to carry away. The rob
berry was discovered the following Monday
morning. The bank officers squealed for a
big amount, although really they lost only
what they paid the burglars. The bank
struggled on for n few months and then
closed its doors. Thare you have true
story. Perhaps it may not please Bliss, bu
it is true all the same."-Clncinnati En-
Ouirer.