The times., 1900-12-27
FIRST SAFE OF THE MoRMoNs.
A Strong Box I'm the Custody of Kirt-
land, Ohio, GcntiIes,
(From the Chicago Chronicle }

(from the Chicago Chronicle.)
An interesting relic OF the early days OF
Mormonism. when Ohio was the home OF
the prophet Joseph Smith, has just been
presented TO the Western Reserve His
torical Society. 1t consists of q massive
iron lreproof safe, which has held hun
dreds Of thousands of dollars in money
and valuables. For a number of years Ii
was the depository of all the moEey of the
Mormon Church. Deeds of property, val
liable diamonds. and other gems belonging
to the church wer also stored in this lit
tie relic OF bygone days.
The depository of the Mormon Church in
those days was what was known as ihe
Bank of Kirkland. 1t was after the Mer-
mons had become involved In financial
difficulties that the bank failed and ths
big safe or vault of iron and wood was
turned over to the a.torneys of the church
in lieu of fees. Remaining in the possess
sion of the attorneys while they lived, it
descended to the family of ]. r. Morley,
OF Painesville. and then to Mrs. C. H. Nor
ley, of Kirkland, who presented 1t to the
historical society.
The relic is different In construction
from the modern safe and is heavy and
strong in appearance. During the last
week 1t has been undergoing mueh-needed
repairs and row is in good condition. Were
it not for the fact that the burglar has
progressed in the last seventy-five years
and would make short work Of the safe,
strong as 1t appears to be. it would still
be used for storing away valuables.
Like all iron safes of the real oldfash-
ioned type. this mormon safe has hidden
springs in sufficient number to tax the in
genuity of the person net acquainted with
their location. One Of the springs covers
the keyhole. 1t works from without and
Is simple In construction. BY pressing
ones thumo on the iron stud nearest the
keyhole the hole is Immediately closed.
giving the same the appearance Of having
no keyhoie whatever.
On direct line with the keyhole spring
is the most ingenious one of the lot. The
manipulation of this makes IT impossible
for person not in the secret TO open the
safe door. A slight pressure OF the thumb
on one of the studs. however, releases
spring and the door flies open.
Aside from these peculiarlties there is
nothing to be commended in the useful
ness of the safe. Without dynamite or
explosives of any description 1t could be
opened on short notice The studs could
be torn from their fastenings with the
aid of an ordinary hatchet. and with
cold chisel the thin wrought iron bands
could be cut open. Once through the thin
outer shell of the wrought iron. progress
would be easy. First there would be a
layer OF freproof wood to cut through,
then a sheeting of tin. All the inner
compartments are fashioned out of this
aforementioned metal The safe was
manufactured about the year 1920 by
Jesse Delano. of New York city.
On the inside OF the door is pasted the
notice: This safe was taken ON
account by the late Law firm of Perkins
& Osborn (Painsvillel from Joseph Smith
and others then in Kirkland. Ohio, and is
the same as 1 was informed and believe.
used by the said Smith and others for
vault and place of safe keeping for the
valuables of the bank in Kirkland. Ohio"
newspaper clipping also pasted On the
inside OF the safe door explains that the
safe became the property of Perkins & Os-
born in the year 1887, they taking it in
part payment for their fees as attorneys
for the prophet. Later it was used by |
that firm and remained In the firms office |
at Painesville until the partnership was |
dissolved. 1t then became the property of |
L. Perkins. remaining in his Of |
fee until, as property. it reverted TO j. r. |
Morley and subsequently to his daughter, |
Mrs c. H. Morley, of Kirkland.
Efforts have been repeatedly made by |
he Mormons to gain possession of the rel !
c but overtures on their part have al |
WayS hear unsuccessful