The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-02-25
The Williamson
Safe Mystery
By F. s. HESSELTINE
6ccccIcccI>ccccocccc
by Shortstory Pub. Coz

One morning in the spring of lS9-,
the attention OF persons walking
along Sudbury street, Boston, was at.
tracted to a huge iron safe that was
being put out from the warerooms of a
well-known safe company, which for
many years had done business on that
street
The safe was not new; indeed, the
style and appearance of it indicated
that it had been built many years
ago for some special purpose. in which
it had doubtless seen long service. Al
together the appearance of this
strange object so excited my curiosity
that. although | was in a hurry to
reach my office. l waited until the
thing was finally loaded and moved
slowly off up the street. Then ! en-.
tered the store of the safe company,
and, being we'll acquainted with the
manager, asked If he could give me
the old safes history.
lie replied that there was a strange
story connected with it, known now
only to himself. For certain reasons
1t never had been known except to
two people, and they had been sa-
credly bound, one by rersonal interest
and the other by solemn vow, never
to divulge the secret. This promise
he said, has been faithfully and sacred
ly kept; but now all those in any way
connected with or affected by it have
passed beyond the dark river. The
safe, which has stood here for many
years like a speCter reminding me Of
the dead past has now, to my great
relief, vanished forever, and | know
no good reason why the strange story
should not be told. While may
withhold or change names in the re-
cital, that which | am about to relate
is true, and is capable to some extent
OF veritication
More than so years ago stranger
of good appearance, entered the shop
of one kershaw, a manufactures in
this city, inquired for the proprietor
and stated that he wanted constructed
strong. fire-proOf safe giving the
description and dimensions desired.
BY his conversation he appeared fla
miliar with such work, and stated
plainly how he wanted this construct
ed and the kind of lock required, the
keyless combination not having then
been invented. In answer to inquiries
he said that he was about TO open a
iewelry store in Hanover street that
he did not intend to do a retail bust
ness, but would carry a considerable
stock for wholesale, visiting for trade
dealers in neighboring cities.
Being convinced of the strangers
responsibility by a large advance de-
post, and by the PROMISE of full pay
ment on completion and delivery, Mr..
kershaw accepted his order, and in
due time the safe was completed and
delivered Soon after a sign was put
up on the store j. Williamson.
| Wholesale Dealer In Watches and
| Jewely' No great display was made
! in the window Goods were received
and shipped by the rear entrance
opening on an alley way. Apparently
! but little business was done at the
store. and frequently Mr.. Williamson
was absent visiting his customers, or
! buying additional stock in New York
! city.
In disposition he was quiet and re-
firing. and rarely spoke except in re.
Spouse to some inquiry Within a year
oF ar,,iy1l In IlnCt4n IL hFtn
| hanson sought the hand of the eldest
! daughter of a respectable merchant, a
deacon in the church which he attend
ed. producing at the same time letters
from New York indorsing his worth
and character Having thus satisfied
her parents, he was accepted and with
little delay married Very soon after
he was received on profession of his
faith, into the church, and by his
quiet, correct life, liberality. and hon
est dealing. secured the confidence and
respect of all who knew him
About this time strange epidemic
of crime swept over the Puritanic
city Of Boston. The houses of the
wealthy were entered and robbed o.
their valuable contents Packages O
money were boldly seized within the
very enclosures Of the bank, the THE
escaping through some passageway o.
by fastening behind him the doc
through which he escaped; the satch
tells Of bank messengers, filled will
valuable contents, We're suddenl,
snatched. and the robber eluded pur
suit. At night persons We're garrotet
and robbed on the public. street. TIL,