The Underground World: A mirror of life below the surfaceKnox, Thomas Wallace
History
The Underground World: A mirror of life below the surface
Knox, Thomas Wallace
Caves; Mines and mineral resources; Social history -- 19th century; Tunnels
The man went back to prison to serve out his sentence for the crime of
which he was convicted. Doubtless the notoriety he had obtained by his
appearance in court was of great assistance in consoling him for his
imprisonment. He was proud of his accomplishments as a burglar, and
seemed to take his incarceration more as an honor than a disgrace.
In this country there have been several robberies of the higher sort,
such as entitle the perpetrators to great praise for their skill,
although it was shown in a bad cause. Among these may be included the
famous Philadelphia Bank robbery, a few years ago, where the burglars
actually informed the bank officers that an attempt was to be made
against them. They proceeded in this wise:—
[Sidenote: A WELL-PLANNED ROBBERY.]
One afternoon, a little before the close of business hours, a man
in the uniform of a policeman entered the bank and asked for the
cashier. On meeting that official, he stated that he had been sent
by the police captain of the precinct, whom he named, to warn them
that there was reason to suspect that an attempt would be made that
evening to rob the bank. He said an extra policeman would be detailed
to watch the bank, and another extra man would be placed on the beat.
The cashier thanked the man for the information, and told him to
give his compliments to the captain. The man then departed, and the
bank officers, after notifying their private watchman, closed the
establishment and went home.
Of course the private watchman was on the alert, and kept a sharp
lookout. About ten o’clock a policeman appeared, and asked if there
had been any suspicious movements around there. The watchman said
there had been none; and while they were talking another policeman
appeared, and joined them in conversation. The first was the extra to
watch the bank, and the second was the extra on the beat. The watchman
opened the door of the bank, and allowed them to enter, so that they
could see the approaching thieves without being seen.
[Illustration: THE PHILADELPHIA BANK ROBBERY.]
[Sidenote: AN UNHAPPY WATCHMAN.]
When the three were fairly inside, there was a sudden change in the
state of affairs. The door was closed, the watchman was knocked down,
bound, gagged, and carried to the president’s room, where he was
seated in a comfortable arm-chair. One of the men drew a pistol and
sat in front of him; the other opened the outer door, blew a small
whistle, and in a minute half a dozen men, as nearly as the watchman
could judge, entered the building. The door was closed behind them,
and the party went at work to open the safe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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