Miscellaneous, Daring Burglary in Oxford, 1873

Daring Burglary in Oxford, Chenango Co., NY

Bainbridge Republican, April 26, 1873

 

On Wednesday night last, the Post Office in this village was entered by burglars, the safe, a large one with an open key hole, blown open with gunpowder, and the valuable contents carried off.

 

The booty secured by the "professionals," as their work shows them to have been, consisted of the following:  Five hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifteen cents in postage stamps of all denominations, about $45 in bills and change, and between $100 and $150 worth of jewelry belonging to Mr. Mowry, deputy clerk, who has a variety store in the front room of the post office.  Among the jewelry was a silver hunting case, detached lever 16 line watch, No. 1635.  Two registered letters in the safe were opened, one contained nothing of value to the thieves, the other it is not known whether valuable or not.  The "artists" smashed in a cigar case and helped themselves, and also ransacked drawers, etc.

 

Entrance was effected into the post office by forcing the catch holding the lock bolt to the front doors off with a "jimmy."  Inside the burglars filled the key hold to the safe with powder and exploded it was a fuse.  This, appearances indicate, only started the outer part of the door, as there are marks of wedges, and the bolts were driven back, and one rivet had been drilled out.  they were no doubt professional burglars and expert safe operators, and carried the necessary tools.

 

The next morning telegrams were sent in all directions except at Sidney, the line being out of repairs and no message could be got through, in hopes of heading off the rascals; but they have not been headed as yet, unless someone has since "put a head on them."

 

Suspicion rests on two men, with a satchel and box, having the appearance of workmen who were around town Wednesday forenoon, and took the afternoon Midland train north without the box, and afterwards were seen in town again late that evening.  The box probably contained their tools.

 

Thursday morning, two men answering to the above, arrived at Mr. Humphrey's who resides in Guilford, obtained breakfast and hired Mr.  H. to carry them to Sidney, stating that they were "Government officers," in a hurry, and couldn't wait for the train.  Government robbers would have come nearer to the truth in their case.  It is not yet known whether the Government or Mr. Glover, the postmaster, will stand the loss--Oxford Times.