Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-24
SALOON SAFE Is CRACKED
Robbers Secure About One Hundred Dollars
for Their Trouble.
MANY PEOPLE HEAR THE EXPLOSION
Considerable Time Elapses Before
Police Are Notified and They Are
Unable TO Find . Trace of
the Robbers.

The safe in the saloon Of Martin Morten-
sen at us Sixteenth avenue was blown
about o'clock yesterday morning by
cracksmen. who secured about 500 in cash
Nitroglycelin was used to open the safe
and the force OF the explosion did consid-
cradle damage to the interior of the sa-
loon breaking the glass showcases and
much OF the glassware on the back bar.
The explosion was heard by several people
residing In the locality, but was supposed
by them TO have been in the railroad yards
nearby and II was some little time before
1t was learned that II had been in the
Mortensen saloon. AS soon as It was learned
that the safe in the saloon had been blown
the police were notified by telephone, but
by the time an officer arrived on the scene
there was not the slightest trace OF the
cracksmen. although there was plenty of
evidence of their work.
II IL believed the burglars entered the
saloon by the back door. which had evi-
IDENTIFY been forced open with jimmy. 1t
was found open and the robbers are sup
posed to have made their escape the same
way
The time for the robbry had evidently
been we'll planned and 1t is believed that
the robbers were we'll acquainted with
Mortensen's movements and chose time
when they were aware he would be away
from the place. Mortensen was attending
a dance at the Danish hall with his family.
The dance lasted until o'clock and It was
shortly before this hour that he started for
home
The robbers had evidently made careful
preparations for blowing the safe and their
work indicated they were no amateurs. The
nl< In, ~tn at Ind
eating the time of the explosion. Several
holes were drilled in the safe door near
the lock while soap was used TO close up
all cracks and openings. To deaden the
sound OF the explosion a big horse blanket
was placed over the safe. The blanket,
one corner of which was burned and blown
OF, was left behind by the robbers and is
practically the only clue the police have to
the robbers.
The door Of the safe was blown on it's
hinges and pieces Of the lining and lock
scattered about the room. Much Of the
glassware back Of the bar was blown OF
the shelf and broken, while the glass in the
cigar and other showcases was broken to
pieces.
There were three slot machines in the
saloon and these had been broken open
and robbed Of their contents, but how much
Mortensen could not tell.
Mortensen closed his saloon at midnight
and shortly after placing his money In the
safe and locking up the place went to the
dance in the Danish hall His departure. It
Is believed. must have been watched by the
robbers. who must have shortly after
broke into the saloon In order to have ac-
complained the drilling and blowing OF the
safe by the time indicated by the stopping
Of ths clock. 1
Mr.. Mortenssn stated he left the dance
at the Danish hail with his wife about 2:2O
and when they passed the saloon on their
way home the lights were burning and
everything apparently was all right. The
robbers. 1t is supposed. were hid behind
the bar. The safe must have been blown
a few minutes after he passed.
The force OF the explosion. while not only
playing havoc with the inside Of the saloon.
blew out the front window. Pieces Of the
door OF the safe were found imbedded In
the plaster Of the ceiling. One show case
near where the safe stood was blown to
fragments.