The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1895-01-05
LOCKED IN A VAULT
COUNTY TREASURER ROBBED.
A Robber knocks Down Treasurer stolen
At Santa Ross, California. Locks Him
In the Safe and Carries on %, O00.-
StOfen Released After Eight Hours

Santa Rosa, Gala, Dec. 2S.-Santa
Rosa had the biggest sensation In its
history to-day. The county treasury
was robbed Of nearly $1,000 and Coun-
ty Treasurer Stofen was left insensible
in the vault to suffer death by the rob-
bers, who locked the door of the vault
on him. The robbery occurred about D
O'Clock this morning, but was not dis
covered until about 5 o'clock this after
noon. All this time County Treasurer
Stofen lay upon the floor Of the vault
g;isping for breath, fearing every mo
ment during conscious intervals would
be his last. Had it not been for the
timely arrival of his wife, the only per
son In town who knew the combina-
ton. he would have been dead. She
had been at CIoverdale, and on her re-
turn here about O'Clock learned that
the treasurer had not been home to
dinner. The children said they had
taken his dinner to him and left 1t in
front of the office, but they could not
get in.
Mrs. Stofen, suspecting something
wrong. rushed down to the office,
which is on the south corner of the
court house, and adjoining the sher-
iffs office. The door was locked, but
with the aid of the janitor she opened
the door. Between the front part of
the office and treasurer's front Office
Is a wicket gate. This also was locked.
Once inside, Mrs. Stofen found her
fears realized. On one desk was her
husbands coat and hat On the floor
in confusion We're money trays on
which the treasurer carried money
ff-a ttas ,i,h l- tn a rlA<ar nf.
flee, to his desk in the room. About
that time faint knocking was heard
from inside the vault. Mrs. Stofen
cried out that her husband WAS in the
vault and that she could save him If
she could remember the combination.
The first time she tried she failed ow-
ing to her great excitement Next time
realizing that her husbands life de
pended upon her GOODNESS, she was sue
ccssful and the big iron doors of the
vault slowly swung open.
Treasurer Soften was found on the
floor of the vault unconscious, the safe
door was open and most of the money
removed. Treasurer Stofen, as sOoD as
he revived. said he opened up the of
flee as usual about o'clock. AS he
was carrying out the trays with money
from the vault, a tall man in stocking
feet stepped into the door OF the vault
and with uplifted dagger in his right
hand, told him TO drop the trays, which
he did. AS he stopped over to lay the
trays down the robber struck him
powerful blow on the back of the head
which rendered him unconscious, for
how long he could not tell He says
the man was tall and wore chin wills
kers, and must have gained admittance
to the office during the night and wait
ed for him to open the safe.
Officers are securing the country for
the robber, but not trace has been
found.
Officers say there have been num-
Der of hard-looking characters In town
recently, but most of them have been
common tramps. 1t is the belief OF
many that the job was done by parties
living in Santa Rosa, who are familiar
with county offices, and knew just how
to proceed TO loot the treasury. Owing
TO the start the robber had, officers
think the chances of finding him are
rather few There are many theories
as TO how the robber got into the of
flee, but the most general belief is that
he got into the office Thursday night
and hid until the treasurer opened the
vault and walked into it