Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1899-06-02

Blew Open the Safe and Secured SaOO
in Money and SsOO worth Of stamps
---Thsre is No Clue to the Robbers---
Business Of the ONCE Was Not Inter-
rupted.
Excitement ran high Saturday morning
when 1t was learned that the post-office
had been burglarized during the night
When F. w. Cotton, the assistant postmas-
ter, arrived at the office at about $3.50
o'clock to make up the early mail for Bos-
ton, he was surprised upon trying to open
the office door to find some obstruction
against it. Upon looking in he saw draw
ers open and the place filled with smoke
Upon examination it was found that the
door facing the town hall, and which opens
into the lobby, had been forced, and also
the small door which opens directly into
the office.
Further investigation showed the extent
of the robbery. a small hole about the
size of a common lead pencil had been
drilled in the door of the safe directly over
the lock, and evidently a small charge of
gunpowder put in-just enough to start the
door, but not enough to blow it off. Marks
on the safe show that the pickaxe and bar
were used to pry the door off
The box containing $500 in postal funds,
and also the box containing 500 worth of
stamps were taken, eight Scent stamps and
three special delivery stamps being all that
were left. A small drawer containing
about S25 in private funds belonging to
Miss A. NJ. Barrows, the postmaster, was
rifled and two bank books, checks, life in
surance policies, United States commits
sions and other papers valuable to Miss
Barrows were carried off.
Mr.. Cotton lost about Sl5 and his two
| bank books were taken. Mileage books
belonging to Mr.. Cotton were scattered
| about the floor in front of the safe, but
none were stolen. A small pocket book in
the safe belonging to Miss Barrows, CON
| tanning about 81. 40 was overlooked. Abou
| Sl2 of telegraph money, which was in a
| drawer directly beside others which were
rihed, was overlooked, as was also box
containing 365 pennies. One registered
letter was taken and two letters opened.
Otherwise the mail was undisturbed The
total loss is fully S1100.
An iron bar and pickaxe were found in
the office which had been taken from the
hand-car house at the railway station. A
bit stock and two chisels were found which
were taken from Leach's carriage shop.
The corner in which the Office is situated
would seem to be one of the safest loca-
tions in the village, being next to the
Brightwood paper mill which is run all
night. Friday night with its bright moon
light would seem to have been especially
unfavorable for robbery. Prof. Mackin-
tosh, who had been out to a reception,
mailed letter not far from 10 o'clock, and
five of the High school boys, who had
also been at the party, sat down on the
steps and were there until nearly . o'clock.
| No unusual noise was heard by those living
near except one family who heard some
sound about o'clock, which may have been
the noise of the explosion.
This is the second attempt at burglary
in the building, Mr.. Leach's shop furnish
ing tools each time. The former attempt
was unsuccessful further than that a small
amount was taken from Robert McCaugh-
ern. who kept store in the building.
Mr.. Macintosh remembers seeing four
strange men on Brattleboro street as he
was on his way home, and Mrs. W. D.
Stearns saw four men pass her home on
the Mortified road at very early hour in
the morning. The men seen by Mr.. Mac
intosh had no bundles, while one of those
Mrs. Stearns saw carried large bundle. \
bloody finger mark was found upon the
outside door and trail of blood as far as
the Baptist church, but no clue to the rob
bers has been found although telephone
messages and kilograms have been sent il
all directions.
The robbers made careful preparation
for a hasty exit in case they should be dis
turbed and everything indicates that thu
work was that of professionals. There
was no bungling. AS little injury wa
done to the building as possible. The door
were closed and everything presented it
usual appearance from the outside. Tn
building belongs to Geo. G. Fiske of Spring
field. Mass, and it was recently remodele'
and fitted up in fine shape. A tenemen
on the upper floor is unoccupied. Mr.
Cotton succeeded in getting the morning
mail off, and by borrowing stamps fror
Winchester the business of the post otfic
was not interrupted
! Mrs. NJ. D. Cook is in Westminster, Vt
where she will make an extended stay wit
her daughter, Mrs. H. F. Bond
Rev. L. NJ Wilde sailed from New Yor
on steamer New York, of the America
line Wednesday. He will visit Franc
first, and go from there to his old home
; Belgium. He has been granted thre
I months absence, but intends to take az
vantage of only two.
Miss Katherine Healey, who has for
long time been employed in the hotel dill
I ing room, finished work there Saturda
: night. The good feeling towards her
boarders and employees of the house, we
substantially manifested by presenting hi
a purse of ST..