The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1898-09-16
GUARDING THE MINT.
HOW THE PHILADELPHIA INSTiTU-
TION is PROTECTED.

Winchesters In Plenty.
Probably not one person out of hun
dred who pass by the Philadelphia mint,
that grim looking edifce at Chestnut
and Juniper streets, after nightfall real
ICES what is going on inside There is
nothing mean about Uncle Sam, but he
is determined that any one who gets
his money shall get it honestly and by
process duly laid down. Therefore he
has taken all kinds of precautions to
properly protect, especially at night,
the millions upon millions piled up in
the vaults
The doors of the mint are closed ev-
cry weekday promptly at O'Clock in
the afternoon. After that hour no one
but mint employees have any business
within the walls which inclose so much
money, and no one can either stay in
or get in without a special permit from
the superintendent. Needless TO say,
this is difficult to obtain.
simultaneously with the closing of
the doors at 4 o'clock the first shift of
the night guard goes on duty. The shift
is composed of the captain of the guard
and II stalwart men. AS the men file
out to begin their round each one is
handed a big Colts revolver Of the most
approved pattern and loaded with big
cartridges.
From then on till midnight seven of
the IL guards patrol without cessation
IL, Hsl>
the corridors of the gloomy vaults
where, away down III the earth, are
slowed eighty odd million dollars in
silver and almost as much gold, to the
top floor, where there is nothing more
valuable than machinery. Placed at fire.
quent intervals throughout the corridors
are electrical devices for enabling the
captain of the guard to keep tabs on his
men. Each of these little machines COM
municates with the rotunda opposite
the Chestnut street entrance to the
mint. Here it is that the captain is sta
toned all through the long hours of
his shift. Every two minutes and
half the central machine III the rOtunda
denotes the presence of some one Of the
guard at some particular station in the
building. If it doesn't, then the cap
tain knows that something is wrong,
and he Immediately proceeds to discov-
er what it is.
But it has been long time since the
little machine failed TO send forth it's
announcement at the proper time, for
the mint guards are patrolling up and
down outside the big building, careful
ly watching that no suspicious cbarac-
tiers approach too near the vast treasure
left in their care.
Promptly at midnight the second
shift of the night guard puts in an ap-
pearance to relieve the early shift. 1t
is also composed of a captain and II
men, and they are split up. as the other
squad, into inside and outside details.
From midnight on until o'clock in
the morning they follow in the foot
steps of the first shift, with every fac
ulty alert to catch an intruder.
The big revolvers are not the only
weapons upon which the guards have
to rely. On each side of the main cor
ridOr leading from the Chestnut street
entrance stands a walnut case. Through
the polished glass front of one frown
20 Winchester rifles The other con-
tains as many ugly looking carbines.
To grab these dispensers of death would
be but the work of an instant for the
guards, and then woe be unto any man
necessary to turn them.
For the revolvers there is kept con-
Stantly on hand in the mint 500 rounds
of ammunition, and for the rifles and
carbines $500 rounds Each of the
guards is an expert in the use of both
the pistol and the gun, and each is en-
dowed with a plentiful stock of cour-
age; hence a combination capable of
successfully resisting almost anything
less than a regiment.
The superintendent and assistant Gus
todian both talked to the reporter about
the methods in use TO protect the mint
and its contents. Both smiled signifi-
cantly when the possibility of one get
ting away with a portion of the vast
treasure was suggested.
''It would be folly for any one to try
1t, - was the superintendent only com
ment. To it the assistant custodian nod
ded emphatic assent.
Il have been here for a good many
years." the latter said, land no such
attempt has ever been. made. 1t is prac-
tically impossible for any one to break
into the mint from the outside, and no
one could secrete himself in the build
ing during the hours when it is open to
visitors and hope to avoid discovery.
We search every nook and corner of the