American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1911-05-06
POSTOFFICE ROBBED
FRIDAY MORNING
Safe Wrecked But Loss to Gov
ernment is Small.
Damage to Fixtures and Building Will
Approximate $780, Several Sus-
poets Arrested and Officers
Hot on Trail of Others.

4 The postoffice at American Falls
was robbed about 2:30 yesterday
1 morning. The safe was wrecked by
heavy charge of nitroglycerine,
both doors being blown off and hurl
ed across the room The robbers
failed to gain entrance to the vault
and obtained only small amount Of
money. probably not more than $50,
and couple of checks. The stamp
drawer was broken into, but moth
ing taken. So far as can be ascer-
tanned at this time, nothing but
rs cent book of stamps in addition
to the money was taken.
Postmaster Barber was called at
at 2:40 by the telephone central,
and informed that the postoffice was
on fire. He reached the office be-
fore three, just as other citizens
who had been called were arriving
Upon entering the office he found
1t flooded by water pipe which had
been broken by the door of the safe,
and two or three hundred dollars
worth of stamps and stamp supplies
more or less injured by water.
The only fire was smouldering
paper sack lying on top of the door,
fully fifteen feet from where the
safe stood. 1t seems hardly prob
able that the sack accidently oc-
cupied this position, where it could
not possibly do any harm and the
robbers probably placed it there
when they returned to the office
after the explosion.
In it's flight the safe door tore
away the lavatory, broke the paper
bag rack and smashed into the last
section of the lock boxes.
The force of the explosion broke
the two large plate glass windows
In the front of the building, one Of
the large upper windows and four
window panes.
Entrance was gained through the
cabinet door by means of a jimmy.
At the rear of the building were
found a large sledge hammer,
brace and punch, all of whi
were taken from the Abercrombie
blacksmith shop. A hole was drilled
through the top of the safe, and
large quantity of nitroglycerine
poured into the safe and touched
off Postoffice Inspector Neill esti-
mates that close to half pint must
have been used, judging from the
damage done.
Deputy Sheriff Atwood and Mar
shall Watts were soon on the ground
and began laying plans to capture
the robbers. Officers all along the
railroad were notified, and all
trains watched. About dozen
hoboes were rounded up and Jailed.
Mr.. Atwood, George Roberts and }.
F. Murray boarded west bound
freight about o'clock. thinking
the robbers might attempt to board
1T at the heavy grade across the
river Roberts and Murray jumped
eff near the top of the grade. where
they found a newly made fire, but
no hoboes. Atwood went into Mini
doka, where six suspects were ar
rested and Jailed.
Tony Dahlen, the tailor who oc-
cupies the building adjoining the
postoffice was almost thrown out OF
bed by the explosion but d. W..
Davis and family, who reside in the
rear of the First National bank
adjoining the postoffice on the
other side knew nothing of the
robbery until called on the phone.
The telephone central heard the ex-
plosion and it is due to this faet
that such prompt notice was given
About three O'Clock Sam Baugh,
watchman for the Fall Creek sheep
company, was awakened by two or
three men walking on the roof OF
the building. He says men were
also on the roof at an earlier hour.
10 of tho rnhhRrV uQ-
I'll the following morning.
Postoffiee Inspector Neil, arrived
from Pocatello on the fast mall
yesterday noon, and says the WORK
was that of ameteurs.
Mrs. Cummins, who lives in the
rear of the building adjoining the
furniture store heard the explosion
and called central to ascertain wna'
1t was On bieng teld that the post
office was on fire she went lmmeol-
ately to the front of the building an
observed three men running from Tn
postoffice across the street TO the
Fress building, around the corner
they were running very fast ana IN d
of which they disappeared. she salo
one man was very much smaller ina
the other two. Mr.. Dahlen, VINO
sleeps in the rear of his tailor snol
adjoining the postoffice, got up I'm.
mediately upon hearing the repor'
of the explosion, and was IN the ac'
of opening the rear door of his place
but was deferred by the advice OF
friend who was stopping with nih
for the night. He then went TO the
front of the building and saw IVY
men STANDING On the walk in frOpl
mis- window. 1t was too dark 10 60
serve their features. 1t is his luas
ment that they remained ten min,
ties before they were joined py