Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-08-18
PREVENTS BURGLARY.

n. u. hcfC-i0E anu II. u. uOIudS, JWO
electrical mechanics employed by the
American Bank Protection Co., OF
Minneapolis, after two weeks work
have completed what might be termed
a burglar alarm system in the Fsst
National bank 1t is of the most re-
cent and approved pattern, and is rap
idly coming into use all over the
country, this company having installed
over 200 within 18 months. The pro-
lection OF this bank is now as complete
as any in Wisconsin, and its makers
defy any living man to defeat it, AT
the time the bank was buitl its vaults
were supposed to be so constructed as
to be burglar proof and in a measure
were. At least these workmen found
mighty hard work in boring into them
with their drills. Between the inner
and outer surfaces are four plates of
chrome steel, total thickness of an
inch and half. >The workmen at
tempted to bore a hole through this to
run wires through. After working for
several hours they succeeded in max
ing hole in the first plate about a
sixteenth of an inch in depth. They
used brace and brought great pres
sure to bear oil it, but were finally
obliged to abandon the job They sent
to Minneapolis and had shipped to them
two tanks of powerful gases, the flames
of which are used to soften steel. With
the aid of this they were able to drill a
hole through, after total of twenty
fcur hours hard work.
Some time ago the banks directors
considered it wise to be on the safe side
and decided to put in an electrical
system, with the result that the above
named company was engaged to do the
work, and the system that has been in
stalled, when judged by the tests that
have been given, is without doubt a
sure safeguard againts burglary of the
vaults. A sheet iron lining and hard
wood floor have been placed in the vault
and between these apd the vaults cas-
ings are a network of wires Running
from switchboard cabinet, which is
located in the vault, they connect with
three fire gongs and numerous bells.
One gong is located on the north side
of the building, one in the interior and
the other in the hallway. The con-
struction is such that a burglar cannot
drill a hole into the vault or tamper
with it in any way without sounding an
alarm that will scare him away. The
gongs are covered with Hercules Bess-
emer steel shields, that most securely
protect them against any kind of at
tack. Their strength and power of re-
sistance is such that they cannot re
destroyed with a sledge hammer, and
yet they are so delicately connected
and adjusted that the slightest attempt
to move them will just as surely and
readily turn in vigorous alarm. An at
tempt at drilling, cutting, saving, fish
ing with wires or filling with sand will
produce the same result. A wood
casing to match the woodwork of the
building, fitted with doors, has been
placed over the vault doors as a protec-
ton against any attempt at drilling the
latter, for while burglar might not
effect an entrance in this way he could
damage the doors greatly, for several
Thousand dollars worth of delicate ma
chinery is incased in them, including
| the time lock. This wooden casing is
also connected with wires. When lock
ing up the bank at night the keys can
be left in the locks and the least turn
of one of them will touch off a gong.
The whole is operated by double dry
battery of sixty-four cells, guaranteed
70 last year and half without being
renewed. The battery being double it
is possible to send any part to the fac
tory for repairs while one is out of or
der and the other vii! still be in eper.
alton.
The whole thing works automatically
and requires but little care. If any
part is out of repair it is indicated at
once. When closing up the vault doors
for the night bell rings, showing that
everything is in working order. Con
nected with the system is also a num-
Der of push buttons placed in hidden
positions in the building. The latter
are for protection against holdups
which might occur during the business
hours. For instance If a robber or
gang of robbers enter the bank and de-
mand its money, one can touch a push
button and sound an alarm on the out
side, which would draw the attention
of the police or citizens. Taken all in
all it is safe to say that the First Ma
tional bank of Wausau win not be
robbed without the knowledge of some
of our citizens, at least Mr.. Steinman,
who watches over the court house
square, will be appused of it.