Year: 1869

Particulars Of the Robbery Of a Beneficial


Saving Fund Of a Million in Bonds and


Greenbacks.


From the Philadelphia Post, April 81


Since the now famous Lord bond robbery in New
York there has been none that will attract more
universal comment than the one we are about TO
record. The amount stolen in the case mentioned
was not over half million II indeed 1t reached that
amount while that in the present instance amounts
to the almost Incredible sum OF 81, ,00000 and even
this tremendous amount may be but an approxima-
what money was secured in addition to the sums we
have recorded below. The matter Is made more
serious by the fact that the bonds shares of stock
&C., stolen, are mainly negotiable, which win tell
materially against the chances OF apprehending the
robbers.


The scene Of this unparalleled outrage was the old
fashioned building, familiar to all residents OF Phlla
delpha, situated at the southwest corner OF Twelfth
stories high the first floor being reached in the New
York style. by rather tall night OF steps This leaves
considerable basement room. which constitutes in
fact additional story to the building. The base
ment Is occupied as an upholstering establishment.
The second floor OF the part OF the building running
saloon the 'front.' portion being used as the residence
of q private family. The first floor is used as the
Banking House OF the Beneficial Safety Fund, Of
Philadelphia. This Is Roman Catholic institution,
organized for the benefit OF poor girls connected
with the Catholic Church, but which has for some
time been largely used for other parties. The high


financial character OF the gave 1t this popu-
arty, and the amount Of treasure found In Its safe
yesterday shows that the popular faith IN its stabl


Yesterday afternoon about four O'Clock the super
intendcnt OF the billiard rooms having occasion to
enter by the Twelfth street door, that the lock had
been In some way tampe-ed with and would not
the real state OF things struck him at the time He
went TO the Chestnut street door, which ne found
open and entered the building. wide entry leads
from this door past the banking rooms, which TO
the right OF it, and into the interior OF the house. II
not singular that the hall door should be open,
for the family on the second oor used 1t at ali times
The auDeruteudeut paSspl A billiard
room, when, looking from a window on the landing
between the front and back buildings, he saw that
a back window OF the savings fund was open
This window opened upon "a small yard winch
could be further approached directly from the
savings fund window was never left unclosed and,
apprenendng mischief descended to the yard, He
then found That the window had been opened from
without, and looking in he saw beyond large
safe burst open and variety Of burglars impe-
mcnts scattered about the floor. He at once pro-
ceeded to the residence OF Mr.. Charles A. Rippler,
the President OF the savings fund, and informed
HIM OF the facts


An investigation proved tnat the burglars had
unlocked the Twelfth street door, well as the door
into the yard by false keys, and mad 'JimmedN the
rear window Of the savings Fund They then
and built into the wall. Their proceedings in
this work appear TO have been as methodical "a
the occasion demanded. They first screwed a
large piece OF joist perpcndcuiarly upon the foor
securing IL by strap hinges, and further bracng 1t
10y stout piece OF walnut six feet long. This timber
was brought with them into the building, which
shows that their work had been thoroughly planned.
Using the Joist for fucrum, with beautifully con-
structed tool, evidently made for the purpose, they
unscrewed the combination" from the safe and
Knocked OF the handle. Then they bored dve-
eighth inch hole with drill alongside Of the lock
and slipped the bolts forcing the door open. Then
they broke the lock OF the inside door with the
Jimmy, and erected an entrance to the safe. car
used by the institution to carry books In and out
railway was run out, and the burglars went de-
liberately at work 10 break open boxes and remove
vauables. They left quart bottle OF alcohol flask
OF powder lamp, wick, and safety use behind.


watchman Is employed on the premises, but for
some reason he was not there yesterday. One ac-
count our reporter heard was that he had had some
disagreement with the officers OF the savings fund,
and had LETT the Office In q nt OF temper; another
statement was thar II was only his day off' though
why watchman should choose sunday, OF all days,
for holiday s singular. At all events he left tho
building at SIX O'Clock yesterday morning. Some
time between that hour and four IN the afternoon
this outrage, unparalleled IN the annals OF robbery
IN Philadelphia II not in the country was COM
mitted.


The very worst feature Of the whole affair is that
the deposltors In the savings fund arc mainly OF the
poorer classes, who cannot AFFORD TO lose their
money Poor girls at service, day laborcrs, coach
men, walters, aud such humble folks had faith In
this savings fund, as they might well have had, ana
left with IL, confident OF Its security. their nard-
earned savings. This robbery Will be terrible
blow TO many q toiling honest soul.


The securities owned by the SAFETY Fund stolen