When The Danville Railroad Station Was Robbed, February 1919

Photo taken of the blown safe, after the robbery at the 
D. L. & W Railroad Station in Danville, February 17th 1919

"A party of expert cracksmen made their appearance in the city yesterday morning. They blew open the safe at the D.L.W. station and from what can be learned, had designs on a couple of other buildings when they were frightened away." - Danville Morning news 2/18/19

Dynamite was used to blow open the safe of the Lackawanna railroad Danville Station, 

Another view of the robbery scene, from the other side of the station.

The safe was located in the ticket office, between the men's and women's waiting room. It occupied a position beside the ticket case, scarcely five feet from the stove which stood in the center of the office. When the station agent entered the office Monday morning, he found the door of the safe open and all the money missing. 

The exact amount taken was not known, but it was thought that it would not be a large amount, little more than the proceeds of Sundays sales. "In the cracking of the safe, nitroglycerine was used, soap being brought to play in the usual manner". 

The job appeared to have been done with the minimum of effort, showing that the cracksmen knew what they were doing. The Danville Morning news said that amateur's generally waste a good deal of time when robbing railroad stations, ransacking drawers and going through the tickets. Professionals however, typically go straight to the safe and bother nothing else, as was the case in the February 17th robbery.

 A window at the read of the men's waiting room had been broken open, the sash being pried up until the fastening gave way. Marks on the door between the waiting room and office indicated that it had been jimmied open. A loud sound had been heard at 2:45 pm, and it's believed that had been the sound of the explosion of the safe. No alarm was given, and it's unlikely anyone realized what the sound was until the robbery was discovered the next day.

 The doors on a cupboard on the opposite side of the room were blown off in the explosion, but surprisingly, the stove was not knocked over. 

Three men had been spotted at Wagners Garage on Northumberland street at 1:30am, and the three took off running when spotted. 

Another report from Mr. Amesburg stated that he heard his dog barking and whining if in pain. He went to check on the animal, but could not locate him. The animal returned home the following evening, having never been away from home that long before. It's thought that the dog may have attacked the men as they attempted to rob Mr. Amesburgs Coal Office.

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