The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1936-12-17
Safe Blown Up
CONTINUED from Page u


The asbestos in the walls of the safe
was converted into powder and after
the explosion covered everything With
in the entire interior of the building.
II was as though someone had taken
flour and thrown it promiscuousiy ev-
erywhere. A mass of it covered the
floors of both front and rear rooms;
coating of it was over all desks and
counters; it was found in every nook
and corner Debris from the explosion
was found in the south entrance OF the
old First National Bank building, across
the street, and also in pile of wood
on vacant lots directly across the street
from the office building.
Soon On the Ground
Mr.. Driear was asleep in bed at the
time. He was awakened by the noise
of the explosion and by the rocking OF
his bed from the conclusion. As soon
as he could Jump into some clothing, he
ran into the building. Elmer Davidson.
manager of the Safeway store, and his
clerks were working in the Safeway
building. He was standing just inside
the rear door of the Safeway store.
When they heard the explosion David
son and VIM Allen Immediately ran to
the Mountain States building, requir-
inc matter Of seconds. Pieces of
plaster were still falling when ! ar
rived" said Davidson. No signs OF any
burglar were seen by any of these men
nor were there any footprints visible
in the flour like asbestos that covered
the floor.
For this reason it is judged that the
money was removed before the ex-
plosive was placed. Furthermore, 1t
would have been impossible for anyone
to 90 back into the building after the
explosion, find the money box in the
shambles that resulted and get away in
the few seconds that passed between
the time of the explosion and the ar
rival OF, the men first there.
Another thing strengthening this
theory is that there were no pieces OF
currency or checks found anywhere,
which uneuestienably would have re-
suited had the money box been in the
safe at the time of the explosion. Not
a scrap of currency or of a check was
found. Nearly $40 in silver was found
scattered about but that silver had been
placed in a smaller box, while the
major part Of the days receipts, silver.
currency and checks. had been placed
in larger strong box and deposited in
the safe Not piece of the metal strong
box could be found
Robbed On Pay Day
The burglar timed his work when the |
receipts would be the larg-
est Of the month-on the pay day OF the
local sawrnill company and the last
day of the usual monthly discount |
period Several reports have appeared
IN the daily press as to the amount OF |
money the burglar obtained said Man
ager Driear. These are wholly with
out any foundation, whatever. have
made no statement as to the sum Of |
money lost. No one knows just what |
hat amount was. The records OF the T
company were in the safe and are IN
;uch condition following the explosion
hat it will require lot of time to work
mem over anu di1ltC a. laC oe1AAi ~
money that was taken" While the ex-
,ct amount OF the loss cannot be stated
it this time, yet it is known that it will
.un into several hundred dollars. Mr..
Rawlings, auditor, stated that the COM
,any carries burglar insurance but the
will not be enough to cover the
oss.
There were several fortunate Incl
Tents connected with the affair. George
)riear, son of Manager Driear, and
1ilo Miller have been sleeping in
DOM above the office. Neither were
n the building at the time of the ex-
,losion. George was employed at one
{ the road camps near Troy and Miller
lad gone out to the Gopher Inn with
riends. There had been party at
Voodmen hall that night and people
we're returning home from it just be-
ore the explosion and passing by the
uilding. Had they been in front Of
he building at the time, they might
ave been seriously injured or killed.
Immediately following the explosion
he fire alarm was sounded and the fire
apartment was at the building within
few minutes. However, no fire
esulted.