Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1914-09-25
YEdaMAE IN HIGHLAND

tered by burglars and both places
robbed of cash, government sup.
plies and few articles of merchan-
disc.
When the robberies were discov-
cred on Friday morning, there was
considerable excitement throughout
the county as the news was flashed
over the wires, and many persons
visited the scene. 1t was she first
time that safe blowers had ever
done any work in Highland. and
at once suggested visit from pro-
| fessionals.
The safe at the Vanderpool Office
which is kept in the store. weighs
something like 800 pounds and was
rolled into a back room and so
placed that the door, when blown
off, would 60 up the stair way,
which it did, a portion of it hang
ing to the rafters. The explosive
used was probably nitroglycerne,
as the wax or tallow used was yet
in evidence. The explosion was
heard by the postmaster's fami'y y,
W. T. Swadley, whose home is sew
eral hundred yards distant, but he
thought it was a party of coon
hunters. 1t occurred just at mid
night. The robbers secured there
about $40 in cash, $50 in stamps
ETC., little change, from the store
cash drawer and a few pairs of
shoes.
At the Pinckney office, also kept
in store and unoccupied at night,
the thieves gained entrance by pry.
ing open the front door. The haul
here was larger one than at Van
derppool, as it was a money order
office. As near as we recall, the
M. O. funds'taken wore nearly $50,
while in postal funds, stamps, etc.
about 500.
Before entering Pincknev office
and the facts would indicate that
the thieves came up the valley and
were familiar with local conditions
they entered the Groves mill,
helped themselves to some cider,
filled a bottle to take with them,
and made use of some pickles and
canned goods. This empty bottle
and some of the office supplies were
found next morning in fence COR
ner along the road.
In addition to the losses already
named, the notes held by Swadlev
Bros. were taken as was also valu-
BILE papers belonging to h Lee
Gam, and worth to him some
Sc 900. They were in a tin box
and and left in the iron safe for
keeping.
As soon as possible in the morn
ing, the depal tment at Washington
| was notified by wire, and Saturday
afternoon an official of the govern
ment was on the ground. So far
as known he came as an Inspector
only, and after a few hours re-
turned.
Meantime the authorities were
busy seeking for clues, and hearing
of the presence of two armed
strangers on the road between Pinck'
ney and Bolar, a posse went from
Monterey to investigate. The
men were found in camp in the old
NJ. f. Wiley house, were placedun-
der arrest and searched, but estab
lished their innocence, and later
on released.
Since then, no reliable clues have
been reported, and the matter has
rested for the time being. at least
so far as the general public knows.
1t was bold scheme, and num-
erous details 60 to indicate that the
thieves took their time.
A suit case was taken from the
Pinckney office, its contents, be-
longing to an incoming passenger
on the mail, being removed and par
TALLY buried in a near-by-wood-
house.
Several dollars in change were
picked up in the yard at Wander
pool, where it had either been
blown by the explosion or dropped
by thieves.
Entrance was gained to this store
by removing the putty, taking out
a pane of glass and reaching up tc
a nail which held the sash.