Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-12-06
SecureAbout $4,000 from
Atho|, Mass, Post Office.
Capture the Only Policeman
And an Express Messenger.
Blow the Safe and Escape With
Loot by Auto...Ao Good Clue.

Athol, Mass. Dec. 5.-I'he police
were still without clue today to the
identity or " whereabouts OF the seven
robbers who looted the postoftice safe
of $1,000 in stamps and $3.50 in cash ear
ly yesterday morning
The authorities of the surrounding
cities and towns have been notified by
the Athol selectmcn to watch for the
fugitives, and the town police are maxi
ing every effort to trace them.
Athol, Mass, Dec. 5.-Worlling on
the theory that the seven men who
blew open the postOffice safe Saturday
ard stole abost 5000 fled in an auto
mobile, the police were busy all day
trying to trace rhe route of the ma
chine through nearby towns.
The robbery was just before 2 o'clock
and 1t go d big machine was seen go
ing through South Athol and was re-
ported in North Dana before 3 o'clock.
This is the only incident approaching {,
clue which the police have.
Before the robbers blew open the
safe they bound and gagged Patrolman
Bannon and locked him in cell II,
the town police station. They also met
Harry King, an express messenger, on
the street, and forced him to stand
outside during the robbery, with a re-
volver pressed to his head. Then they
marched him down the street and fore
ed him to run away under threat of
death.
The ROBBERY was done by experts and
the police say ti.ey must have studied
the postofElce for some time before de-
Gliding to act The Athol Savings Bank
is located next to the postoffice and
the Milers River National Bank next
to the savings bank, but neither We're
entered.
Postoffice Inspectors Rapp and Covill
arrived in Atliol during the afternoon
to investigate the break
The robbery look place about las.
There were two explosions, one when
the outer safe was blown open and the
second when the inner strong box was
forced Entrance was effected by fore
ing the front door, and the men pulled
down the long curtain SO as to be able
t. work without being noticed from the
street.
DR. w. J. Bolton, who lives over the
postoffice was out on Il call. He no.
IlcPQ Il NUMBER VI iucIl near the pt'Sl-
office. and Il little later met Officer
Bannon in another part OF the town.
He told Bannon that there were a
number of men near the office, and
Bannon went down and asked them
what they wanted. They Immediately
seized him, placed a gag in his mouth
and bound him. and took him to the
lookup.
About this time King was coming
out of the express office III the Pequoig
block and he was seized by four men.
P. Fl. Collins, who lives opposite in
Parmenter's block, was awakened by
the first explosion, and looking out of
his window could easily see all that
was going on. He notified Postmaster
Amsden and Sheriff Goddard.
Soon after the second explosion Col
Inns saw five men go down the street
together 1t is believed that an auto
mobile was in waiting in one of the
side streets.
The large safe in the postoffice is
wreck. The door has been blown off
its hinges. the contents are Strewn
over the floor Part of the side of the
office which contains the lock boxes
is blown away, the glass overhead in
the lobby is broken i'll places, and the
upper part of the Office is a complete
wreck. -, y wM
officer Bannon is unable to give
description of the men, but noticed
that all Wore soft hats. pulled down
over the eyes. Bannon was seized and
a bandage put over his eyes so quickly
that he could tell but little Of the men.
He says that at one time four revolt
vers We're pressing against his head.
There seemed to be leader of the
gang, a man weighing about 100
pounds, and between 40 and so years
of age.