The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-05-17

i
loor, which opened directly into the
interior of the safe The charge placed
nto the door not only plew the outer
plate off, but also worked inwardly,
jamming the inside plate so tightly
that 1t could not be removed. The
wedge was apparently brought into
play to force an opening between the
door and the side large enough to
permit one end of the switch tar to be
Inserted. Because of it's length, weight
and shape this made an excellent lever
and the side of the door, several
inches in depth, was pried out of the
way. AS the money drawer still could
not be reached hole made in the
inner plate by the explosion was en-.
larged by hammering the remaining
part of the lock through the plate,
making an orifice large enough to
admit hand.
The bar was found in the opening
between the door and the side of the
safe, showing exactly how it was used.
Fortunately the hole thus made
made opened directly into second
drawer, which was mistaken by the
looters for the one in which the money
was kept. This they forced and took
out a couple of watches, one belong
ing to Mrs. Scott and quite valuable,
the other an ordinary time piece own
ed by Mr.. Scott. A few coins were
also taken. Several notes amounting
to considerable amount and about
$50 in cash were in the money drawer.
These escaped the eyes of the thieves.
Had they not been disturbed they
probably would have explored the safe
further.
Money They Missed.
Had the fellows only known it they
could have made almost as good a
haul at the brewery by helping them
selves to the contents OF a couple OF
drawers in the two desks in the room
as they secured by the more laborious
task of forcing the safe. In each was
an amount of money considerably in
excess of that taken by them. The
diamonds, OF course, are worth more
than the money that was in the safe
and in the desks.
Secretary West of the brewing
company figured out the exact loss
in cash and checks sustained, yester.
day afternoon. The total amount is
$244.2O, of which $20.70 was in money,
the balance being in bank paper.
All the time the burglars were at
work man was within few feeet OF
them, engaged in honest toll. He was
the night engineer, who is supposed
to act as watchman as we'll as to run
the engine. The noise made by the
engine drowned that made by the
cracksmen and the engineer knew
nothing of the burglary until told
concerning it yesterday morning. His
duties in the engine room give him
but little time in which to watch and
the trips he makes over the premises
are few and far between.
How Entry Was Made.
In each instance window was
forced open to admit of entry into the
buildings. At the. brewery a window
on the east side afforded an easy and
safe mode OF entrance. The window
opens into a yard or corral, which is
surrounded by high, tight fence,
consequently there was almost abso-
lutely no danger of being, seen by any
one passing.
To enter the laundry window on
the north side opening into the wo
mems dressing room was forced. Moth.
fellows, as the door of the room was
not locked and they had only to walk
from the room into the body of the
laundry and then into the office. The
outer door to the latter is fastened
with spring lock. Once inside they
threw back the bolt and secured it
with the catch made for that purpose.
insuring a means of speedy exit in
case it became necessary.
Notice has been sent to all OF lne
surrounding towns and cities and Off
GERS eve-----shere are on the alert, al
though it is regarded as extremely
doubtful whether the burglars will be
caught, unless they should make an
effort to pass some of the stolen
checks. The jewelry and watches may
be disposed of more readily, as they
bear no marks by which they could
be readily identified.
Inst received a new stock Of D9lmS