The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-19
BOY ROBBER.
Who Invented Chemical Schemes For
Blowing Up Safes.
HAD BIG JOBS IN VIEW
When. He and His Pal We're
Nipped In Gotham.

NEW YORK, Feb. 1o.-Detectives Taylor
and Pepperted have facts In their posses
sion which lead them to believe that they
now have In custody two of the most dan
gerous bank burglars In the country.
They arc now trying TO find out IL the
two prisoners had come to this city to
organize gang Of bank burglars, with an
improved method OF safe blowing.
The men in custody of the detectives
gave their names as William II. Mason,
Is years old, and Thomas Stevens, 40 years
old.
When arrested, In Stevens room were
found some per cent railroad bonds, un-
signed, and $500 In cash.
Mason is regarded as one of the cleverest
criminals that have come to this town.
He Is well educated, and evidently has
been used To refined surroundings.
He has found "a new way TO crack the
most thoroughly burglar proof safe with
chemicals. The detectives do not think
that he has ever served time in any prison.
Stevens Is n man Weighing probably $50
pounds, has powerful muscles and Is OF
fine physique. Ho is supposed to have
furnished the experience for the pair.
third man at least has been connected
with the case. He was an old-time bank
burglar OF the name of l.. w. Moore.
Mason and Stevens had lived at 81 East
Twelfth street. Mason was arrested while
trying TO procure hnlf pound OF nitro
glycerlne ut druggists He was heavily
armed. Stevens was arrested at his room,
while in bed. de had a revolver and q
dirk under his pi low.
Mason and stevens were taken before
Chief o. Brien by Detective Taylor yester-
day, and there Mason made full confes-
sion. To begin with. Mason told O'Brlen
that his real name was Adams. and that
his father was n jewelcr ut 10 State street,
Boston and % prominent citizen of the
Hub. He said that for two years he had
worked in u safe manufacturing establish
ment, and while there had made a study
of safe blowing.
Experimented with Chemicals.
He got hold OF book on safe-blowing,
written by l.. W. Moore, He expert.
mented some with IL, and decided that he
had the greatest method ever known for
blowing safes. 1t was by the use of nitro.
glycerine and other chemicals.
The only trouble, he said, was In regu.
lntipg the explosions SO as not to blow up
the building when the work was being
done
"a
agreed to help him 10 start on his career
OF crime He introduced him 20 Stevens.
Moore then went 10 New Orleans and
made plans 90 rob national bank in that
city. Then ne sent for Adams and Ste.
vens. They needed $500 to get to New Or
leans
They decided TO crack a safe near Boston
to raise the cash. They tried to crack q
safe in Newtonville, Mass, but were un.
successful. This was in the Office OF the
Cooperative bank.
On Feb. they journeyed TO the same
town TO try Adams improved method on
the safe OF the Metropolitan Life Insur-
ance company. They bored holes in the
safe and Adams sprinkled chemicals in
them and then fred the explosive.
There was terrific explosion. The par.
titions in the Office were blown to pieces,
part of the front OF the building was de-
molished, and every window on that floor
destroyed. The safe was completely
wrecked. Adams says that the explosion
was heard n half mile away. Many po.
licemen, he says, got TO the scene and sur
rounded the buildings.
The two burglars grabbed s770 from the
ruins of the safe and made their escape
by way of the roof. They came TO this city
TO get nitro-glycerine and do job or two
on their way to New Orleans.
All Of the facts in the Boston suburb
robbery were verified by Chief of Police
Richardson Of Newton, who was present
will be taken back TO Boston.