Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-25
BANK ROBBED OF CASH
SAFE OF LA PLATA INSTITUTION
BLOWN OPEN.
Burglars Use Tools Obtained at Black
smith Shop With Which to
Force Bank Doors.

Details of the robbery of the Southern
Maryland Savings Bank of La Plata,
Charles county of which Mr.. Adrian Posey
is president, were communicated to the
Washington authorities last evening. The
burglary and safe-biowing occurred We'd
nesday night or before daylight yesterday
morning, and was evidently the work Of
professional cracksmen. The inhabitants
of La Plata were not aware that robbery
had been committed. it is stated, until about
4 o'clock yesterday morning. when a young
man passing the bank noticed the windows
broken out. Upon investigation it was
found that entrance had been gained by
breaking the glass in q window and thus
unbolting it. Once inside they resorted to
the use of explosives, by which the lock
was blown off the vault door. and then the
safe door was blown entirely from it's
hinges and the box emptied of all the money,
amounting. according to the estimates, to
something over 5000
Used Blacksmith Tools.
1t was stated further that the thieves
broke open the blacksmith shop OF Mr..
Charles II. Padgett, several hundred yards
away, and got some tools. with which to
force an entrance to the bank. They also
went upon the floor above, where the Mary
land Independent Office Is, and secured some
paper. which was placed on top of the safe
and soaked in water, presumably to deaden
the sound of the report.
Several persons about town say they
heard three reports In the night similar to
a pistol report. which Is now supposed to
have been the explosions. All of them say
it was between Las and am.
Immediately upon discovering the cond-
ton of the bank Mr.. POsey tried to notify
the police departments of Baltimore and
Washington. but found that the wire had
been cut in several places by the escaping
crooks between Brandywine and Marlboro 3,
in order that they might put safe distance
between them and the robbed bank before
the authorities in nearby towns and in
Washington and Baltimore could be noti-
fled.
President Posey was notified of the rob-
berry of the bank at about am and i'm
nediately took steps to trace the cuprts.
The presence of frost on the ground al that
hour enabled him to track the party or
parties through the court house lot adjoin-
ing the bank down to the public road lead
ing west and south of La Plata. Upon this
evidence the theory is advanced that the
burglars came from Washington or Bal
which is about six miles below La Plata
and made their escape southwark.
Holds Policy Of Insurance
Mr.. Posey, its president. states that the
bank holds a burglary policy, which will
partially protect it from loss.
About two weeks ago a stranger register
ed al the hotel in this town and spent sew
eral days here. The cashier of the bank
w. Aubrey Mudd, recalls that this man
visited the banl. on two or three occasions
and exchanged greetings with him, but
seemed to have no business at the bank
1t is now supposed that this stranger was
then acquainting himself with conditions
here. and the evidence of the manner in
winch the deed was contaminated bears
out the theory that the party was one
thoroughly acquainted with the locality
Detectives have been employed to run down
the robbers and are expected here tonight
telephone message was sent to Maj.
Richard Sylvester, chief of police in this
city, requesting that he send a good de-
tective to work on the case. But as his au-
thority Is confined to the District of CO.
lumbia he repeated the message to the
marshal of police in Baltimore.