The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-02

| ing on the hinges. while the other half lay
with the other debris on the floor. The
fuse used TO set off the dynamite was
blown against the counter. about six feet
distant and was sticking there at Z O'Clock
this morning.
Against one side Of the safe was piled a
| quantity or canned tomatoes and a sign.
framed like a picture rested across the
top. None Of these things were disturbed
by the explosion.
The safe contained. besides a quantity
OF money belonging to the firm. the
valuables belonging to the postofice. All
the money taken on Wednesday and
Thanksgiving morning was deposited in
the bank yesterday and therefore the
haul OF the thieves was not so heavy as
It would have been had they been "a
hours earlier.
MONEY AND STAMPS.
As IL was there was not less than $500
in the safe. besides n large quantity Of
postage stamps. This. together with one
registered letter and several valuable
papers. were stolen. The bank book OF
the firm was taken. together with insur-
ance policies and other documents.
The break was discovered at 3:15 O'Clock
by officer Eben Balkom, who at once noti-
fed Sergt. Bickford Of the Second station.
Sergt. Bickford hastily gained what facts
he could and telephoned 20 the police OF
| nearby towns that n break had been
made. notifying them 10 be on the look
out for suspicious appearing strangers.
A. soon as T.. c. Penniman. senior
member OF the firm OF Penniman &
Crumb. and Postmaster +. +. Crumb.
! unior member OF the same firm, had been
notified and a hurried investigation made,
officers started out to see IL any other
places had been visited.
ANOTHER BREAK.
Officers Knight and Balkom went to tho
office OF the Anthony Coal and Lumber
company on Washington avenue. where
they found another break had been made.
Here entrance had been effected by pry-
ing I'D a window. Before entering through
the window the thieves had attempted to
force the door. but the contraction OF the
lamb was such that this proved too diff
cult a task.
A window was tried but this was Sc
| curelv fastened. Another window proved
easier TO open. and while one of the gang
held up James G.. Crowell, crossing tender
at washington avenue. his companions
entered the window and blew the safe.
The safe was cracked in exactly the
same manner az the grocery store. III
was a Morris a ireland safe. somewhat
larger thar Pennlman q Crumbs.
An overcharge OF explosive was evil
IDENTIFY used. as the fragments of the door
we're blown back with such force as 10
wreck the registering apparatus or the
platform scales used FOR Weighing coal.
small cash register was thrown to the
eoor and broken. The thieves did not
make a very big haul, as the funds OF the
concern had been deposited I'm the bank
before the close OF business yesterday.
what ready cash had been left In the
Lattice had been used TO cash checks w
y Fales. who operates the Whitcomo
- Il IL alnnL nnn inc
arm had taken up a considerable duantlty
nc ,his paper. one Of Mr.. Fales checks
for s1Io drawn on the Slater Bank OF Paw
tucket was also among the things stolen
from Penniman & crumbs safe'
GOT NO MORE THAN s1c.
member OF the Arm told a News re-
porter that the amount stolen from the
Anthony Coal and Lumber company,
while not definitely determined. could not
have exceeded 800 and was probably but
little moro than $50
After this hreok the three men walked
nm the railroad track with their booty.
A quantity Of papers were found beside
tho track by Manuel Sayc track walker
for the New York, New Haven and Hart
ford Railroad company when he made MS
early morning inspection and later more
were found by Patrolman Fstus Mig
The police were OF the opinion that the
gang had "a rig concealed up Willett ave-
nue. and that after walking up tho rail-
road and dividing the spells they struck
across the lots and drove down Willett
avenue making their escape in this man
ner.
Subsequent developments proved this
theory 10 have been erroneous. The police
found the insurance papers stolen from
Penniman a Crumb at Silver Spring,
where appearances Indicate the gang
went through the loot at their leisure,
threw way such papers as they did not
want and then made their escape In n
boat.
Before breaking into the grocery store
and the coal office the gang visited the
blacksmith shop OF Robert Gibson on
Pawtucket avenue and stole = number Of
tools. including n sledge hammer and a
number OF chisels. Most of these tools
were returned TO the shop. one chisel was
broken.
They forgot 10 return one chisel and
this was found I'm the coal office. The
sedge hammer. when returned was laid
across the anvil and 20 the fact of II was
affixed a trading stamp.
Entrance 10 the blacksmith shop was
gained by pryins open the big sliding door
' at the front % the shop.