The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1920-12-09
BANK SAFE AT COPE BLOWN.
Explosion, However, Fails to Open
Vault.-Nothing Lost.


Access to the safe of the Bank of
Cope, which burglars attempted with
three explosions about $50 o'clock
Sunday morning by the use OF nltra-
glycerine or other strong explosives, !,
was gained about 2:30 this afternoon 4,
after mechanics and citizens from the
town and Orangeburg worked on the
battered combination Of the outside
doors for number of hours, and the
contents were found intact,
The attempted robbery, which to
all appearances was the work Of |
amateurs with some of the tools used
by professionals, was absolutely un-
successful. 1t was supposed that pos
sibly the outside doors were blown
open and, upon discovery that the
valuables were further protected by
a screw door on the inside, the doors
were closed and otherr explosions
effected with the hope Of opening the
screw door. Such procedure and ev-
en- the tackling of screw door safe at
all is considered amateurish, as pro-
fessional burglars seldom attempt to
get into a screw door safe as their
method of construction renders such
a thing next to impossible.
Approximately $1,000 in cash was
in the interior compartment under
protection of the screw door. This
represented all the valuable contain
ed therein as other valuable papers
were mostly in the hands of CORES
ponding banks.
Three explosions are reported to
have been heard about $3.50 o'clock
Sunday morning. The burglars are
supposed to have used an automobile
in their movements as several cltl-
zens heard a car arrive in the town
from the north, it is reported, shortly
before the explosions, and depart
soon thereafter. 1t is supposed that
two or more were in the party.
Everything in the bank was found
to be in perfect condition except tnat
soap was scattered over the floor and
fixtures and half bar of Octagon
soap was found on the floor in front
of the safe. Cashier Carl Gibson's
large army revolver was found in its
usual place under desk. No draw
ers were open and there was no ap-
pearance of an attempt to bother any,
thing but the safe. With new lock
and combination for the outer door,
it is stated that the safe will be In
as good condition as formerly.
Entrance to the building was effect
ed through the front door which was
pried open with crow bar. No clue
as to the identity Of the burglars has
vet been discovered. Officers in va
rious cities and towns in this section
and throughout the state have been
notified of the affair with instructions
to watch for the guilty parties.
The. bank opened as usual Monday
morning and business proceeded nor
maNy except with slight inconven-
ience as the result of the books being
in the upper compartment of the safe
which was not opened until after bank
hours. The institution carries burg
larry insurance. F. A. Alden, Of Or
angeburg, is president of the bank.
The affair caused quite sensation
in this community; however, the OIL
GERS of the institution, the depositors
and the public generally express graf
ifcation that the attempted robbery
proved unsuccessful, and that the
damage was very slight. This is the
first occurrence of the kind to happen
in Cope.