The St. Johns herald., 1895-02-14
SKILLFUL SAFE BLOWING
The Clever Work Of Two Expert
 Cracksmen.
By Their Knowledge of the Methods Employed In Burglsrizing Safes They Secure . Prize of One
 Thousand Dollars.


 1 Thousand Dollars.
 Some time ago 8 firm announced in the papers as an advertisement that it had produced an absolutely burglar proof safe, and to back up the state ment offered the sum of one thousand get into the safe in the time usually allotted safe blowers, says a writer in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat. The money was to be placed inside the safe, and it became the property of the openers the moment the feat was ac- complished. This challenge was al- lowed to go unnoticed for some time, but finally one day letter was re- ceived from New York city, written in disguised hand, in which it was pro- posed that the writer and his comrade should make trial at the safe, but the firm must agree to grant immunity to the authors of the proposition, as the climate of Massachusetts had not been to their liking for several years. The missive was signed by Freddy the Piper" and an immediate reply was asked. The firm, anxious to put the safe to practical test, made all neces- sary arrangements with the New York gents" and immunity was to be granted them if they should be suc- cessful. A day was set for a public trial, and promptly at nine o'clock in the morning two nattily-dressed young fellows stepped off the train and asked to be directed to the offices of the com pany. They carried nothing about them except small hand bags, which they seemed to guard with special care. A number of citizens and rival manufacturers had been invited to the test, as the inventors felt confident of the impregnability of the safe and wanted to get the benefit of the ad- vertisement. The young men were ushered into the office and the terms of test were announced. The New Workers were to be given one hour in which to do the work, and no unusual noise was to accompany it. Nor were they to have any other assistance than is usually afforded to the practical safe blower. The one thousand dollars was placed in the safe and it was publicly guaranteed to them should they be successful.
 At eleven o'clock sharp ''Teddy the Piper" and his pal went to work. Their first act was to remove their shoes and coats. The latter were placed in front of the safe to drown the noise of footballs. The next thing was to open their handbags, out of which drills, chisels, ''hog-jawed" screw, powder and fuse were taken The g-jawed screw was the first tool taken up. It was peculiar instru- ment, having two thick, heavy jaws like bulldog. The jaws were con- trolled by a screw of terrific power, easily worked by short piece of steel which could be inserted into notches. That part of the instrument containing the notches resembled a wagon hub without the spokes. The whole affair could be taken apart and put in 8 handbag no larger than those usually carried by ladies. This tool was set on the floor and it's iron jaws placed around the knob of the safe. The two men worked with the greatest quiet and rapidity, one laying out the tools and the other adjusting them. The screw placed on the knob, it was rap idly frightened up, and inside of two minutes the knob was literally dragged out by the roots. It came with a slow wrenching noise which must have reached the hearts of the manufac- Sturers
 No time was lost, however. One of the men had the powder and fuse ready, and the former was inserted in the hole. The coats were picked ap and thrown over the front of the safe to smother the noise, the fuse was lighted and the operators stepped be- hind the safe. In moment there was mufied explosion and the entire front of the safe was split open in jagged creases. The whole system of bolts and inner machinery was ex- posed to view. A few raps with chisel and Teddy gave the bolts 3 sharp jerk. They responded to his touch and he swung open the door. Reaching in he seized the bag of coin and in a few minutes the professionals were ready to depart.
 AS Acuuy was oDOut CO ACoNO OAC OA the firm asked him: "Can 8 sAfe hA made burglar-proof?"
 "Yes," replied Teddy.
 "How?" the manufacturer asked in g pleading tone.
 "If would tell you that my business would be gone," replied Teddy, and bidding the party polite good-by he and his companion left the city on the next train, The job took just twenty minutes.
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