The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-20
COCHRAN'S STRANGEF ANCIES
TRICK PANELS, AND A TUNNEL, IN HIS
STONE COTTAGE.

| The Thief OF tho Mint Bullion lp. IL Gold
Rings Set with Stones, N Razors, Ono
for Each Day In the Month, 8e Soft Hats,
20 Pairs OF Boots, and Much Linen.
PHILADELPHIA. Sept 1o.-Curious discoveries
| were made yesterday afternoon In tho old
stone house. at Durley. OF Henry s. Cochran. the
| man who robbed the Mint In closet OF the
sleeping room that had been occupied by the
| old bullion weigher Chief Drummond took
everything from q sholf and oil in the party
examined the shelf but saw nothing unusual.
| Mr.. Drummond then pushed against board
at the end. forcing It back. Behind 1t and
deeply imbedded In the wall was a tiny fire.
proof safe. 1t was OF the latest pattern. and
| had evidently only recently been placed In its
secure position. From this safe tho chief had
on his first visit taken S3.70O worth OF the
| stolen bullion.
On the top floor OF the cottage Cochran had
his smelling room. There was found stove
Oh which he had heated his crucibles and In
| q case against the wall were a big pair OF brass
scales which he had bought at the Mint dur
ing the SUPPLEMENTARY OF the late Daniel NJ.
| Fox.
| In the middle Of the floor were heaped 200
iron match safes Of peculiar design. which he
had invented. and from which he expected to
| make q fortune.
| In tho cellar another mound. a forge. and q
bag of charcoal. which Cochran had used in
smelling the stolen bullion. were found. The
inspecting party were about to return up
stairs when a screen in the southwest corner
| OF the cellar was noticed.
had him take out the screws which held the
screen. When it was removed the detectives
wide nnd4' feet high. the earth being sup
ported by, a crib OF heavy timber
way ran beneath the lawn to the sidewalk on
! Woodland avenue. but he could not tell exactly
| where the Woodland avenue opening was
He claimed that Cochran had constructed
| the tunnel for the purpose OF having a drain
why it had been enlarged and lined with
that tt It 'v was intended as secret passagewas
| from the old stone house. Those who Inspected
It to his
case OF surprise while reducing the gold in tho
There were other secret panels, in closets,
but no valuables were found behind them
| In the house were found thirty-two soft hats
More than twenty pairs of expensive boots
and rooms. most OF them never having been
worn. Closets and chests were stuffed with
| found to stock q store Fifteen gold rings. set
with diamonds ana sapphres. were found In
little boxes In MS sleeping room.
In case on the wall were thirty-one razors.
one for each day in tho month. They were
numbered and used In rotation. and not even
for q bar OF gold would old Cochran use 18th
instant razor on the 18th.
He. had five dozen bath towels. Eighteen
bingham umbrellas. each the size OF a small
circus tent. decorated the corners OF every
room. Cochran always had the umbrellas
made to order.
In his library the big desk had secret panels
In the =: sidss and eight ins wells stood on the
found stocked with standard works In cheap
binding. and shelves In the corner were bur-
den ed with books OF adventure and travel
There was a great display OF Bibles In rich
binding. which stood near hymnals and prayer
books were OF religious nature.
WASHINGTON. Sept 19-Attorney- General
Olney has Instructed United States District
Attorney InGham at Philadelphia to institute
criminal and civil proceedings against Henry
s. Cochran charged with stealing gold bullion
from the United States Mint