The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1909-02-04
THE WILLIAMSON SAFE MYSTERY
BY F. S., HESSELTINE
Copyright, by shcrtstory Pub. Coz


tracted to huge iron safe that was
being put out from the warerooms of
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 1t indicated
that it had been built many years
ago for. some special purpose, in which
1t 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, 1 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 well acquainted with the
manager, | asked il he could give me
the old safes history.
He replied that there was 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-
e,edly bound, one by personal 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 1t have
passed beyond the dark river. The
safe, which has stood here for many
| years like 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 verification.
More than SO years ago stranger
of good appearance entered the shop
of one Kershaw, a manufacturer 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 ia
miliar with such work, and stated
plainly how he wanted this construct
ed and the kind of lock required
keyless combination not having then
been invented. In answer to inquiries
he said that he was about to open a
jewelry store in Hanover street, that
he did not intend to do retail bust
ness, but would carry considerable
stock for wholesale, visiting for trade
dealers in neighboring cities.
Beng convinced of the strangers
responsibility by large advance de-
posit, 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
Jewelry.' No great display was made
in the window. Goods we're 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, Oh
buying additional stock in New Yorl
city.
I'm disposition he was quiet and re
firing, and rarely spoke except in re
Spouse to some inquiry. Within yea
after his arrival in Boston Mr. Will
hanson sought the hand Of the eldes
daughter of respectable merchant, {
deacon in the church which he attend
ed, producing at the same time letters
from New York indorsing his wortl
and character. Having thus satisfied
her parents, he was accepted and will
, little delay married. Very soon afte
he was received on profession of hi
faith, into the church, and by hi
quiet, correct life liberality, and hon
est dealing, secured the confidence ant
respect of all who knew him.
About this time a strange epidemi
of crime swept over the Puritani
city of Boston. The houses of tn
wealthy were entered and robbed O
their valuable contents. Packages O
money were boldly seized within tn
very enclosures of the bank, the THE
: escaping through some passageway o
by fastening behind him the doc
|. through which he escaped; the satcf
/, els of bank messengers, filled wit
) valuable contents, were suddenl
) snatched, and the robber eluded pui
suit. At night persons were garrote
D and robbed on the public street TIL
: police force was small and, althoug
they exercised unusual diligenc,
. every few days some new and star
y ling crime, committed with wonderf,
!. skill and holiness, was announced.
= was thought that gang of exper
t enced criminals had made a descer
, upon the city SO long exempt froI
crime, and every stranger was unde
suspicion and carefully. watched
d "One night. not long after his ma
3 riage, Mr. Williamson was found o
}. Charleston bridge in a dazed, exhaus
Z ed condition, and assisted to hi
home. When sufficiently recovered h
stated that while crossing the brldg
he was suddenly seized from benin,
his throat grasped so that he could NJ
cry out. and his pocketbook, contain