Evening star., 1900-10-04
Burglars Attempt to Rob Bank at
.dtSandy Spring.
WERE FRIGHTENED OFF BY CITIZENS
Stole a Horse and Buggy Before
They Went.
special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
SANDY SPRING, Nd, October A
bold attempt was made here at an early
hour this morning to rob the vault Of the
Sandy Spring Savings Institution. The
building Is also used by the First National
Bank of Sandy Spring for temporary quar-
ters- The door leading into the bank build
ing was pried open with tools taken from
the blacksmith shop of Fletcher Clark.
close to the bank The first door to the
vault was blown open. presumably with dy-
namite; the lock to the second vault door
was forced with punch and preparations
to blow open the door of the safe had about
been completed when the would-be robbers
were frightened off. The work was done
in such a manner as to lead to the belief
that the opera tons were those Of profess
sional cracksmen. fAAaAH
The discovery was made by Mr.. Samuel
B. Wetherald. a merchant of Sandy Spring,
whose residence i5 adjacent to the bank
building. He was awakened about o CLOCK
by noise which he took to be an explo-
sion. He arose and went to the window
and noticed light in the bank building
He remained at the window for about ten
minutes, when his suspicious were aroused
by second explosion,
Went for the Sheriff.
house of ex-Sherifr Alfred Fairall. whom
he awakened, the two going to the central
telephone station and notifying a number
of the citizens of the village. About q
dozen persons, Including President A G..
Thomas OF the First National Bank, col
lected and proceeded toward the bank
building. When within a hundred yards OF
the building they were met by Mr.. Allan
Farquhar. who stated to them that before
reaching the bank building he noticed a
light, and when passing a pistol shot was
fired from the outside, evidently as Sig
nal. and Immediately the light went out
The party proceeded to the bank. and
upon Investigation found the door to the
bank building. and the first and second
doors of the vault opened, as stated, and
complete preparations made for blowing
open the door of the safe. The two ex-
plOsons heard by Mr.. Wetherald were ex-
planned by the two holes which had been
drilled into the outer door of the vault. the
first falling TO do its work and second
one becoming necessary.
1t was found that the door. to the safe had
been partly .nEized, open with a steel wedge
and an explosive inserted in the crack OF
the safe door, when the robbers were
So left in the money drawer had been taken.
Stole u Hsrse and buggy.
After leaving the bank building the rob-
bers went ton a pasture field and took a
horse belonging to James Scott. colored, and
also visited Mr.. Allan Farquhar and Sc
cured buggy. About O'Clock this morn
ing the horse and buggy was heard being
raj dIy driven through Olney and the rob-
bers probably Went to Washington Grove
and took am earigc morning train, the
team was Ieftsnear. the station at that place.
The Washington police authorities were
notified and ai detective is expected here to
Investigate the matter. .'-Ie
Early this moLnIng a telegram was re-
cefved at police headquarters. from Mr.. A.
G. Thomas. treasurer of the bank. giving
, the information that the bank had been
blown He also stated in the telegram that
the direction of this city in a wagon Later
in the day States Attorney Ii. Maurice Tall
bott came here from Rockville and saw
Acting Inspector Carter about the case.