East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-01-21
ROBBERS PLY A
VIGOROUS BUSINESS
CONTINUED from page ~


ped in the office moment on his
way home during the evening and
says that he tried the door into the
private office to assure himself that
1t was locked, which he found to be
the case.
Aside from the damage to the safe
no harm whatever was inflicted by
the robbers and the small safe In the
delivery room was not touched. This
safe, which also contained some
money, was not locked.
That there were several men in the
postoffice job is believed from the
extensive work done. To do the work
upon the safe would necessarily re-
quire much time. One of the holes
drilled was made by a half-inch bit
while the trench chiseled around the
panel border also required much la
Dor. Evidently one man stood watch
while one or more accomplices
worked upon the door.
Ciacksmen Were Deliberate.
The fact that the combination was
glued back upon the safe door indi-
Gates that the robbers did not leave
hurriedly. The combination was fast
ened back by the use OF sealing wax
picked up in the office. The safe
Is located close to the Main street
sidewalk and a light is always left
burning in the office, a fact that
made the attempt still more hazard
Gus. A blind Is always left open at
night by the postofflce people so as
to afford a plain view of the office
from the street. However. this was
doubtless pulled down by the robbers
while they were at work.
Owing to the fact that the safe is
closed with all the postoffice money,
registered packages and money order
blanks within, II they have not been
stolen, the money order and registry
windows have not been open today
Tools Were Stolen.
Some time during the night the
Childreth blacksmith shop at the cor
ner Of Alta and Garden streets, was
entered and several braces and drills
stolen. A similar job was done at
the Sloan shop. at the corner OF Alta
and Cottonwood streets.
When the workmen at the Sloan
shop came down this morning they
found that a paddock on one of the
doors had been pried open and the
place entered. Thus far nothing has
been missed excepting brace. but
it is possible other tools were also
taken by the intruder. Apparently
the shop was broken into prepara-
tory to the other jobs.
West End Grocery.
At the West End grocery entrance
was gained by cutting a hole in the
rear door. A piece had been cut in
the door, doubtless with the same
brace and bit stolen from Sloan's,
and thrusting his hand through the
opening the burglar then turned the
night latch.
When c. S. Howard, the proprietor
of the grocery, opened the place this
morning, he found much evidence of
an unwelcome customer during the
night. The money till had been open
ed and looted. However, but 81 in
money had been left in the till by
Mr.. Howard This amount, together
with a number of papers and among
them his check book, were taken by
the robber. Also some lard and a
can or two of syrup were missing
this morning.
That the grocery store robbery was
committed late in the night is shown
by the fact that the frost tracked in
by the robber indicated he had not
been gone long. The tracks indicat-
ed that the job was committed by
but one man.
Piano House Visited.
What was doubtless a bold attempt
at burglary occurred Sunday night,
when the Eilers piano house on Main
street was entered. NJ. A. Thornton,
manager of the store, has living quar-
ters in the rear Of the store and sun
day night he and his wife were rous-
Gu Nv oVtiC OfN IA liS
main room. He could be plainly
heard moving about by Mr.. Thorn
ton, but as the latter had no weapon
he decided that discretion was the
better part of valor."
With his wife and little child he
slipped out of the book door and
sought policeman. Just as he went
through the back door he says he
heard the front door open and be-
lieves that the burglar becoming
alarmed, made his exit by simply
turning the night latch and walking
out. Nothing whatever was stolen
from the store.
Inspectors Notified.
The department at Washington and
also the postal inspectors at Baker
City and Spokane have been notified
of the attempted robbery. They Will
reach here tonight