The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-10
BIG BREAK.
Ashburnham Bank
Was Looted.
DYNAMITE USED.
Much Money Taken, But
$25, 900 Bonds Overlooked.

Fitchburg, Jan. 9.-People residing
in the vicinity of the First National
Bank of Ashburnham were startled
about a. m. today by a severe explos-
ion. which was OWNED at once as COM
ing from the bank itself As soon as
possible number rushed from their
houses, only to verify the surmise, and
TO learn that burglars had got in their
fine work and robbed the place of all
of its available cash.
Charles Willard was the first to be
aroused, and he was sitting up with a
sick friend, and on going to the win
dow he saw two men go hastily by the
place and pass quickly out of sight
Deputy Sheriff Richardson was also
awakened, and dressed as soon as pos
s1ble, and FASTENED to the bank.
The few minutes that elapsed how
ever, between the time of the explosion
and the arrival of the first man on the
ground was ample for the burglars to
get In their work and decamp.
That 1t was the work of profession
ais was evident by the rapidity in
which the work was done and the quick
escape. 1t is thought that they escaped
by means of a. sleigh, as there were no
early trains from the junction, two
miles away, on Monday mornings and
If there had been, it would not have
been an easy matter to board one, as
the station agents all along the line
of the Fitchburg railroad were imme-
diately notified, and were on the
watch. @
The banking room is located in the
second story front of the brick build
ing occupied on the ground floor by
III. 3. Greenwood, grocer. Those who
were fortunate enough to get inside the
bank saw a sorry sight, for the inter-
Tor was complete wreck. Entrance
was gained by prying off the front lock.
A hole was bored through the top of
the safe as large as a lead pencil, and
a dynamite cartridge introduced, and
the rest was easy.
An unused cartridge was found on
the floor. Wet blankets We're placed
over the safe to deaden the noise.
This afternoon a roll of pennies and
a cancelled check were found on the
road to New Ipswich, N. H.. and it is
presumed that the robbers fled in this
direction, leaving nothing but the ban-
kets behind for a clew.
The sum of $12TS was secured by the
burglars, in gold and silver coin and
bills, the exact proportions not being
known at this hour. In their haste, the
Dut S . u Wei lOOhSO PAosuVU WI vi it,
gotiable bonds and notes which were
in another drawer.
Had the break been Friday night, a
much larger sum would have been Sc
cured, as a pay roll of the w. F. Whit
ney company was there ready to be
made up.
Up to the present hour there is posit-
| lively no clue to the identity Of the burg
| lars.
| The bank was chartered April 3, 1873,
and commenced business the following
August with a capital of $50 900. Tine
president is w. F. Whitney; vice pres
| ident, Moses P. Greenwood; cashier. O.
| J. Sawyer; assistant cashier, Mrs. Ad-
die e. Lombard
| She was alone in the bank on Satur-
| day. Mr. Sawyer had gone to his home
! in Tennpleton to stay over Sunday, but
he came back in the evening and was
| in town when the break occurred, but
| did not know it till breakfast time.
| Tt is believed that the "Iay of the
| land" was learned some time ago, for
| this is usually studied out bit. for no
one has been in the bank for some time
who has not been known to those who
are there.
The bank is in voluntary liquidation
at the present time but 100 cents on the
dollar will be paid, which might not
have been if the bonds had been stolen,