The Evolution of the Safe Deposit Company

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KURTZ A SAFE DEPOSIT A STRONGROOM STRONGROOM, , FIFTH FIFTH AVENUE AVENUE SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY. COMPANY.

THE EVOLUTION THE EVOLUTION

OF SAFE OF THE THE SAFE

DEPOSIT DEPOSIT

COMPANY COMPANY.

.

BY By THOMAS Tuomas L. L. JAMES JAMES. .

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fact that that locks locks and and keys keys are are of of ables ables are are kept kept; ; in in this this sense sense, , the the man man fact very very ancient ancient date date would would afford of of thrift thrift and the burglar burglar have have, , through through afford and the ground ground for for the the pessimistic pessimistic belief belief that that all all the the centuries centuries, , like like the the two two Dromios Dromios, , mankind have have ever ever been been suspicious suspicious of of walked walked 66 «hand in hand hand together together.”’. " mankind hand in one In one another another. . It It is is true true that that the the safe safe dedeIn the the Bible Bible there there are are several several allusions allusions posit posit methods methods of of the the older older nations nations were were to to bars bars and and locks locks. . In In Nehemiah Nehemiah it it is is of aa very very primitive primitive character character, , but but they they said said, , ‘the fish gate gate did did the the sons sons of of HasHasof " the fish were the the best best in in use use at at the the time time and and they they senaah senaah build build; ; they they laid laid the the beams beams thereof thereof, , were were on on aa par par with with the the ingenuity ingenuity of of the the and up the the doors doors thereof thereof, , the the bolts bolts were and set set up dishonestly thereof, , and and the the bars bars thereof thereof.’’ In Solodishonestly inclined inclined persons persons of of the the period period. . thereof . " In SoloIt may may be be said said that that the the whole whole developdevelop- mon's mon'’s Song Song we we read read the the phrase phrase, , " «the It the ment of of receptacles receptacles for for securing securing has has simply simply handles of of the the bolt.’’ In neither neither of of these these ment handles bolt . " In kept kept pace pace with with the the inventions inventions of of thieves thieves passages passages is is anything anything said said about about a a key key, , but but for breaking breaking into into the the places places where where valuvalu- in in the the chapter chapter containing containing the the last last quotaquotafor Thomas L. IL. James James was was born born in in Utica Utica, , Oneida Oneida County County, , New New York York, , March March 29 29, , Thomas apprenticed in 1831. At At fifteen fifteen years years of of age age he he was was apprenticed in Utica Utica to to learn learn the the printer's 1831. trade . twenty years age , together , trade. When about about twenty years of of age, together with with Francis Francis B. B. Fisher Fisher, he he When published the the Madison Madison County County Journal Journal, , at Hamilton, , Madison Madison County County, , New New at Hamilton York York. . In In 1861Hiram 1861 Hiram Barney Barney, , Collector Collector of of the the port port of of New New_York, appointed York , appointed Mr. James James inspector inspector. . He He was was soon soon promoted promoted to to be be weigher weigher of of teas teas in in the the warewareMr. house department department. . Thomas Thomas Murphy Murphy, , when when Collector Collector, , appointed appointed him him Deputy Deputy house Collector of of the the third third (warehouse (warehouse) ) division division, , where where he he remained remained under under the the adminadminCollector istration of of Chester Chester A. A. Arthur Arthur. . President President Grant Grant appointed appointed Mr. Mr. James James PostPostmaster of of New New York York in in 1872. 1872. In In 1878 1878, , the the collectorship of of the the port port of of New New York York master was offered offered to to him him and and declined declined, , as as subsequently subsequently, , on on the the retirement retirement of of Judge Judge was Key Key, , was was the the postmaster postmaster generalship generalship. . In In 1881 1881 he he entered entered the the cabinet cabinet of of PresiPresident Garfield Garfield as as Postmaster Postmaster general general. . Early Early in in 1882Mr. 1882 Mr. James resigned from from dent James resigned President of the President Arthur's cabinet cabinet and and became became President President of the Lincoln National Bank Bank. .

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THE EVOLUTION EVOLUTION OF OF THE THE SAFE SAFE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT COMPANY COMPANY. . THE

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tion, , and and having having reference to the the same same: tion reference to transaction, , the the visitor visitor is is said said to to have have transaction put in ««put in his his hand hand by by the the hole hole of of the the door door,”’, " which indicates indicates aa primitive primitive kind kind of fastwhich of fastening string or ening with with a a string or cord cord, , similar to the the similar to country barns method used used in barns and and grangranmethod in country aries at at the the present present day day. . In In Homer Homer the the aries treasures are are described described as being kept kept in in treasures as being by aa cord, the citadel citadel secured secured merely merely by inthe cord , intricately fastened fastened. . In In Jeremiah, however, , tricately Jeremiah , however we find find an an allusion allusion to to "‘craftsmen and we craftsmen and smiths,’’, " and and in in Judges Judges it it is is said that smiths said that

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ons and and towns towns. . In In I. I. Kings Kings it it is is said said ons of Bashan, , there there were were ‘‘threescore great of Bashan threescore great cities with with walls walls and and brazen brazen bars bars.”’. " cities The The most most ancient ancient lock lock ever ever discovered is one one that that secured secured the the gate gate of the apartapartis of the ments in in one one of of the the palaces palaces of Khorments of Khorsabad. . sabad

The evidence evidence of the antiquity of antiquity of The of the Egyptian Egyptian locks locks is is found found in in the the fact fact that that a figure figure of of one is sculptured sculptured among among the the a one is basso-relievos which decorate decorate the the great great basso - relievos which temple of of Karnak. From this this design design anantemple Karnak . From tiquarians during tiquarians have have discovered discovered that that, , during

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went forth forth into into the the porch porch, , and "“Ehud Ehud went and shut the the doors doors of of the the parlor parlor upon upon him, shut him , and locked locked them them. . When When he he was was gone gone out, and out , his servants servants came came ;; and and they and bebethey saw, his saw, and hold, , the the doors doors of of the parlor were were locked hold the parlor locked ;; they said said, , Surely Surely he he covereth covereth his his feet feet in in they his summer summer chamber chamber. . And And they they tarried tarried his till they they were were ashamed; behold, , he he till ashamed ; and, and , behold opened not not the the doors doors of of the the parlor parlor ;; therethereopened fore they they took took the the key, and opened opened them.”’ key , and fore them . Until keys keys came into use the doors doors of Until came into use the of the ancient ancient Hebrews Hebrews were by bars bars the were secured secured by of wood wood or or iron iron. . The The latter latter material was of material was used for for the the protection protection of fortresses, , prisprisused of fortresses

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forty centuries centuries, , the the lock lock has undergone forty has undergone no alteration. . The The key to this this key to no material material alteration lock was was made made of wood, , and and had pegs or lock of wood had pegs or pins which which dropped dropped into into corresponding pins corresponding holes in in the the bolt. holes bolt . The keys keys used used in in the the East East were were very very The large and and were were made made of of wood wood. . The The key key large of an was thirteen thirteen or ordinary street of an ordinary street door door was or fourteen inches inches long long, , and and the the key key to to the the fourteen gate of of aa public public building building or gate or of of aa street street or or quarter of the town town was was two feet or or more more quarter of the two feet in length length. . These keys were were crooked crooked in in These keys in form, , and and, , not not being being easily easily carried carried in in the the form hand on account of of their their shape, were carcarshape , were hand on account

332.27

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THE EVOLUTION OF THE SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY .

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WEIGHING WEIGHING BAGS BAGS OF OF CURRENCY CURRENCY, , UNITED UNITED STATES STATES TREASURY TREASURY. .

ried over over the the shoulder shoulder, , as as reapers reapers carry carry ried their their sickles sickles. . The The prophet probably probably alalludes to to aa key key of of this this description description when when he he ludes says says: ‘and the key key of of the the house house of of David David and the will II lay lay upon upon his his shoulder shoulder.”’. " will Under these these conditions conditions of of life, the young young Under life , the man of of that that period period who who possessed possessed himself himself man of the the key key to to the the paternal mansion mansion, , in in his his of nocturnal sojournings sojournings must must have have been been nocturnal reminded continually continually of of aa sense sense of of both both reminded weight weight and and responsibility responsibility. . Ancient Ancient writers writers often often refer refer to to the the LaceLacedezemonian lock lock, , which which consisted consisted of of a a bolt bolt dæmonian placed placed on on the the side side of of a a door door which which opened opened, , and and on on the the inside inside of of aa chamber chamber door door. . It It is very very evident evident that that the the locks locks of of the the ananis cients were were not not made made as as ours ours; ; they they were were cients not inserted inserted into into the the doors doors or or mortised mortised, , not nor even even secured secured to to the the wood wood by by a a chain chain ;; nor in other other words words, , they they were were aa species species of of in padlocks padlocks. . The oaken oaken chest chest was was the the favorite favorite receprecepThe tacle for for valuables valuables of of our our forefathers forefathers. . tacle Sometimes a a small small room room or or closet closet was was used for for this this purpose purpose. . This This was was supplied supplied used

with either either aa wooden wooden drawer drawer studded studded with with with nails, , or or aa plain plain iron iron door door. . In In either nails case the the bolt bolt was was secured secured by by a a common common case warded lock lock, , or lock without without any any wards wards warded or aa lock at at all all. . The The 66 « ward ward"" in in aa lock lock is is the the proprojecting jecting ridge ridge of of metal metal in in the the interior interior of of the lock lock, , to to prevent prevent the the use use of of any any key key the which has has not not the the corresponding corresponding notch notch for for which passing passing it it. . Sometimes these doors doors were were Sometimes these fastened with with bands bands or or hasps hasps of of iron iron, , or or fastened with staples staples and and padlocks padlocks. . with Many Many of of the the old old oak oak chests chests were were highly highly ornamented with with ingenious ingenious carvings carvings, , and and ornamented were greatly greatly valued valued not not only only as as heirlooms heirlooms were in a a family family, , but but as as useful useful and and handsome handsome in pieces pieces of of furniture furniture. . They They were were so so strong strong and bulky bulky that that they they could could not not be be violentviolentand ly ly broken broken open open, , and and, , though though the the lock lock which fastened fastened them them was was very very simple simple in in which construction, , it it could could not not be be picked picked, , for for the the construction ‘‘cracksmen ’’ of of those those days days relied relied upon upon cracksmen " “main strength’’" to to secure secure their their treasure treasure main strength rather than than upon upon mechanical mechanical ingenuity ingenuity. . rather A A celebrated celebrated oak oak chest chest was was the the one one in in which the the crown crown jewels jewels of of Scotland were which Scotland were

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THE EVOLUTION OF THE THE SAFE THE EVOLUTION OF SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY. . DEPOSIT COMPANY

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deposited in in 1707. 1707. It It was was found found necessary necessary deposited to open open this this chest chest in in 1818. 1818. The lid was to The lid was secured by by three three locks locks ;; but but the the keys keys bebesecured longing to to them them were were lost lost, , and and no no locklocklonging smith could could be be found found who who had had sufficient sufficient smith knowledge of of his his trade trade to to pick pick the the lock lock. . knowledge It therefore therefore became became necessary necessary to to break break It open the the box box. . A A locksmith locksmith of of the the prespresopen ent day day could could have have opened opened the the locks locks withwithent out any any difficulty difficulty, , with with a a piece piece of of bent bent out wire. . wire In the the days days of oak chests chests, , however however, , there there In of oak must have have been been rare rare instances instances of of clever clever must thieves who who. had had schooled schooled themselves themselves in in thieves the art art of of picking picking locks locks, , for for we we find this the find this inscription on on a a lock lock used used in in the the sevenseveninscription teenth century century :: teenth lhad ye ye gift gift "“IfIf I had

of tongue tongue, , of

would declare declare, , and and do do no no wrong wrong, , II would Who they they are are yt yt com com by by stealth stealth, , Who To impair impair my my lady's lady’s wealth wealth.”." To

of the the key key we we have have substituted substituted a a common common of ring ring. . There There is isaa fine fine collection collection of of locks locks, ,

keys keys, , knobs knobs and and hinges hinges in in the the MetropolMetropolitan Museum Museum of of Art Art in in New New York York, , includincluditan ing ing specimens specimens from from the the fifteenth fifteenth to to the the eighteenth eighteenth centuries centuries. . Many Many of of the the dedesigns are are picturesque picturesque, , the the work work being being signs done in in repoussé repoussé and and chasing chasing. . But But, , from from done the mechanical mechanical point point of of view view, , the the work work the upon them them is is very very poor poor. . For For instance instance, , upon a ponderous ponderous padlock padlock will will be be supplied supplied a with an an immense immense shackle shackle and and this this will will with be held held to to the the lock lock by by a a small small rivet rivet. . be This rivet rivet could could be be broken broken with with aa blow biow This from a a small small hammer hanimer, , or or the the rivet rivet head head from could be be quickly quickly chiselled chiselled off off and and the the could shackle released released. . shackle An old old secret secret French French lock lock made made about about An the year year 1730 1730 by by aa celebrated celebrated locksmith locksmith the named Bridon Bridon, , of of Paris Paris, , furnishes furnishes aa good good named example of of the the ornamental ornamental style style in in use use example from the the fifteenth fifteenth to to the the eighteenth eighteenth cencenfrom tury. . This This lock lock probably probably belonged belonged to to a a tury strong chest chest and and the the mechanism mechanism was was sunk sunk strong below the the carved carved architectural architectural moulding moulding. . below The secret secret opening opening is is near near a a portion portion of of The the ornamental ornamental design design ;; it it allows allows aa bolt bolt, , the acted upon upon by by aa spring, to be be touched touched, , by by spring , to acted which a a doorway doorway opens opens upon upon the the hinges hinges. . which This This kind kind of of lock lock would would offer offer no no resistresistance to to aa modern modern lock lock breaker breaker, , but but it it ananance swered the the purpose purpose of of its its owner owner, , for for in in swered

Old oak oak chests chests cannot cannot be be mentioned mentioned Old without recalling recalling the the well well-known romanwithout - known romantic story story of of the the young young bride bride who who, , on on her her tic matriage day day, , sportively sportively crept crept into into one one of of marriage these receptacles receptacles, , which which closed closed down down upon upon these her with withaspring lock. . She She was was not not found found, , her a spring lock sothe story goes goes, , until until many many years years after after, , by by so the story which time time her her husband husband had had died died of of grief grief. . which This tale has has furnished furnished the the subject subject for for This tale several poems poems and and ballads, but the the antiantiballads , but several quarian tells tells us us that that the the incident incident is is purely purely quarian imaginary. . The kind kind of of imaginary The chest alluded alluded to to was was very very chest large—probably used for for seseprobably used large creting family family plate plate and and valuvalucreting able clothing clothing—and looked and looked able like aa tomb tomb for for aa human human bebelike ing ing; ; and and the the story story was was sugsuggested to to the the popular popular mind mind gested on account account of of this this resemresemon blance. . From From the the fact fact that that blance - chest there are are several several oak oak-chest there stories of of hidden hidden brides brides, , this this stories would seem seem to to be be a a reasonreasonwould able explanation explanation of of the the leleable gend. . gend In the the sixteenth sixteenth century century, , In in Germany Germany, , Italy Italy, , France France in and England England, , the the art art of of locklockand ornasmithing, , from from the ornasmithing the mental point point of of view view, , was was at mental at its highest highest perfection perfection. . Keys Keys its were at at that that time time objects objects of of were art. . The The end end or or handle handle of of the the art key was was richly richly engraved engraved and and key J. W. W. WHELPLEY WHELPLEY, , ornamented. . For For this this part part ornamented J.

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ASSISTANT TREASURER TREASURER OF OF THE THE UNITED UNITED STATES. STATES, ASSISTANT

THE EVOLUTION EVOLUTION OF OF THE THE SAFE THE SAFE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT COMPANY COMPANY. .

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sep- [ those early early days days each each lock lock was was made made septhose arately arately, , by by hand hand; ; it it was was difficult difficult to to find find | the secret secret spring ;; and and not not easy easy, , with with the the the tools then then in in use use, , to to force force an an entrance entrance tools without making making considerable considerable noise noise. . without After After the the oak oak chests chests and and boxes boxes, , came came | the the coffers coffers made made of of sheet sheet iron iron, , strongly strongly riveted to to hoop hoop iron iron crossed crossed at at right right ananriveted gles gles on on the the outside outside. . These These coffers coffers were were about thirty thirty-five inches long long, , twenty twenty-one about -five inches - one inches wide wide, , and and twenty twenty-three inches|: inches - three inches deep deep. . The The lock lock threw threw eight eight bolts bolts on on the the |. inside and and there there were were bars bars and and staples staples on on inside the the outside outside for for padlocks padlocks. . The The strong strong | German coffers coffers were were made made entirely entirely of of German iron or or, , if if of wood, , they they were were banded banded iron of wood together both both within within and and without without with with iron, , and and could could be be broken broken open open only only by by iron the - iron the use use of of considerable considerable force force. . Cast Cast-iron chests were were for for many many years years made made in in BirBirchests

mingham mingham, , England England, , and and sent sent to to different different quarters of of the the globe globe. . After After this this, , wroughtwroughtiron iron safes safes were were made made in in London London. . We We are are accustomed to to think think of of the the 66 combination lock ' time “combination lock’?" and and the the ‘time lock’’" as as inventions inventions of of very very modern modern date date, , lock but the the peculiar peculiar principle principle of of secrecy secrecy ininbut species of volved in in that that species of lock lock is is really really volved very very old. As far far back back as as the the sixteenth sixteenth old . As century puzzle locks century we we read read of of " ‘puzzle locks,’’, " as as they they were were called called at at that thattime. These locks locks time . These always always had had certain certain movable movable parts parts, , the the movement of of which which constituted constituted the the enigenigmovement ma ma. . Some Some were were called called dial dial locks locks, , but but the the largest largest number number were were known known as as ring ring locks locks. . They They were were made made in in the the form form of of a a barrel barrel, , with movable movable rings rings containing containing the the letters letters with of the the alphabet alphabet, , so that any any word word might might of so that be spelled spelled. . The The rings rings were were moved moved around around be and the the letters letters contained contained in in the the word word were were and brought brought to to coincide coincide with with certain certain marks marks at at the end end of of the the apparatus apparatus, , and and then then the the the lock would would open open. . In In The The Noble Noble GentleGentlelock man, , one one of of the the plays plays of of the the old old dramadramaman tists tists, , Beaumont Beaumont and and Fletcher Fletcher, , these these lines lines

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J. J.

R. VAN VAN WORMER, , PRESIDENT PRESIDENT OF THE LINCOLN LINCOLN R. WORMER OF THE SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY. SAFE DEPOSIT COMPANY.

made ;; as as they they were were placed placed upon upon the the outoutmade side side of of doors doors or or boxes boxes they they could be easily easily could be broken broken off off. .

About the the year year 1844 1844 the the French French were were About producing producing some some very very ingenious ingenious locks locks on on this principle principle of of alphabetical alphabetical permutation permutation. . this The Parisian Parisian comic comic journal journal, , Charivari Charivari, , The made a a great great deal deal of of fun fun of of these these inveninvenmade tions when when they they first first made made their their appearappeartions ance ance. . A A writer writer in in that that paper paper argued argued that that a man man must must needs needs have have wonderful wonderful mnemnea monic powers powers in in order to grapple grapple with with the the monic order to ingenious ingenious contrivance contrivance. . He He pictured pictured a a gentleman coming coming home home late late at at night night from some some social social gathering gathering where where the the from meeting had had been been of of a a very very convivial convivial character character. . The The man man takes takes out out his his key key and and tries tries to to think think of of the the combination combination. . Occur occur :: He says says solemnly solemnly, , "‘‘ aa-z-h.’’ No, , the the lock lock He - z - h . " No will not not open open. . He He recalls recalls the the combinacombinawill case for for your your linen linen, , and and your your plate plate, , "“‘AA case tion of of the the previous day day and and guesses guesses at at tion With a a strange strange lock lock that that opens opens with with A A-M-E-N.” With -M -E -N ." random b - c- l - o . " He random that that it it was was ‘b-c-l-o.’’ He meets meets In In the the verses verses addressed addressed to to May May by by CaCa- with no with no better better success success, , and and then the the then rew in in the the Comedy Comedy of of the the Heir Heir, , is is the the writer rew writer argues argues with with considerable considerable humor humor following following passage passage :: that that the the chances chances of of the the man man effecting effecting an an "“ As As doth doth a a lock lock very entrance into his entrance into his own house are very own house are goes ; every That goes with That with letters letters ; for for till till every one one be be known known, , seeing that small indeed indeed, , seeing that, , from from a a careful careful small The lock's The lock’s as as fast fast as as if if you you had had found found none none.”’." computation computation, , the the number number of of combinations combinations possible to The dial dial locks locks did did not not serve serve the the primary primary to be be made made by by the the wonderful wonderful lock lock The purpose purpose of of safety safety for for which which all all locks locks are are are 3,553,578 !! are no no less less than than 3,553,578

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THE EVOLUTION EVOLUTION OF OF THE THE SAFE SAFE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT COMPANY COMPANY. . THE

VAULT OF OF THE THE CENTRAL CENTRAL TRUST TRUST COMPANY COMPANY, , NEW NEW YORK YORK. . VAULT

A story story is is told told of ofaa well well-known New York York A - known New banker who who used used aa letter lock of of modern modern ininbanker letter lock vention. . He He was was confined confined to his home home by by vention to his illness, , and and it it became became necessary necessary to to unlock unlock illness his safe. He gave gave the the word word "‘boot’’ as boot " as his safe . He the combination combination. . The The cashier cashier tried tried withwiththe out out success success to to unlock unlock on on the the letters letters b-o-o-t, and he finally sent sent for for the the maker maker, , b - o - o - t , and he finally but the the expert expert failed failed to to open open the the safe. Rebut safe . Returning to to his his employer's employer’s home home, , the the cashcashturning ier asserted asserted that that it it was was impossible impossible to to ununier lock the the safe safe, , and and knowing knowing that that the the lock banker’s early early education education had had been been negnegbanker's lected, , asked asked him him how how he he spelled boot. . spelled boot lected Why , " replied ““Why,”’ replied the the banker banker, , "‘" b b-u-t-e, of -u - t-e , of course; ; how how the the deuce deuce would would you you spell it ??”’ spell it course The goldsmiths goldsmiths of of the the seventeenth seventeenth cencenThe tury acted acted as as the the bankers bankers of of the the large large tury commercial houses houses of of those those days days. . They They commercial took charge charge of of large large sums sums of of money money and and took valuable plate plate and and jewels jewels, , which which they they valuable stored away away in in brick brick or or stone stone vaults vaults stored fastened with with great great iron iron doors doors. . After After the the fastened iron coffers coffers already already spoken spoken of of came came the the iron iron safes safes. . At At first first they they were were similar similar to to iron the coffers coffers in in construction construction, , then then they they were were the

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miade in in.the form of of cupboards cupboards, , and and being being made the form heavy to to move move around around, , they they were were afterafterheavy wards set set upon upon wheels wheels. . These These answered answered wards the purpose purpose of of protection protection against against robbers robbers the for the the time time being being, , but but as as thieves thieves proprofor gressed in in the the art art of of depredation depredation, , and and as as gressed

individuals grew grew in in wealth wealth, , the the necesnecesindividuals sity for for stronger stronger safes became apparent apparent. . sity safes became Heavier iron iron plates plates were were used used in in their their Heavier construction, , steel steel bars bars were were added added, , the the construction walls were were made made thicker thicker and and improveimprovewalls ments were were made made in in the the locks locks. . Then Then the the ments dangerous element element of of fire fire had had to to be be dangerous guarded against against. . guarded The first first English English patent patent for for a a fireproof fireproof The safe was was issued issued to to Richard Richard Scott in 1801. 1801. safe Scott in This safe safe was was incased incased within within and and without without This with metal metal, , the the space being filled filled with with space being with charcoal or or wood wood treated treated with with alkaline alkaline charcoal salt. . The The first “American safes safes that that atatfirst American salt tained any any celebrity were under under the the patent patent celebrity were tained of C. C. J. Gayler, , issued issued in in 1833. 1833. This ininof J. Gayler This ventor was was the the father father of of James James Gayler Gayler, , the the ventor assistant postmaster postmaster at at New New York York, , and and assistant of Charles Charles Gayler Gayler, , the the well well-known playof - known playwright. . wright

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The Gayler Gayler safes safes were were double double chests chests with with | The spaces between between for for air air. . About About the the time time spaces of the the great great fire fire in in New New York York, , in in 1835 1835, , | of B. G. G. Wilder Wilder made made aa patent patent safe safe which B. which was was very popular popular at at that that time time. . It It was was a a double double very space bebox of of wrought wrought-iron plates, , the the space bebox - iron plates tween the the plates plates being being filled filled with with aa patpattween ented composition composition of of plaster plaster of of Paris Paris and and ented

inica mica. . For aa long long time time prior prior to to the the invention invention For of the the modern modern fireproof fireproof safe, wooden rereof safe , wooden ceptacles for for saving saving valuables valuables had had been been ceptacles made fireproof fireproof by by the the use use of of chemicals chemicals, , made This substance was principally alum alum. . This was principally placed on on the the inside inside of of iron iron safes safes, , and and even even placed at the the present present time time wood wood is sometimes used used at is sometimes on the the inside inside of of the the iron iron frame frame, , on on acacon practically a count of of its its being being practically a non non-concount - conductor of of heat heat. . Fireproof Fireproof iron ductor iron safes, safes , ii. . e., e., safes into into the the shell shell of of which which are are placed placed safes fireproof materials, non-conducting or fireproof non - conducting or materials , acaccording cording to to the the trade trade journal journal Lock Lock and and Bell, , seem seem to to have have been been first first made made by by Bell John R. R. Scott Scott, , a a native native of of Ireland Ireland who who John settled in in this this country country many many years years ago ago. . settled While Scott Scott was was in in Montreal Montreal ((and this While and this sixty years must have have been been fifty fifty or years ago ago),) , must or sixty he noticed noticed a a certain certain French French jeweller jeweller who who, , he

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SAFES OF OF 1789 1789. . SAFES

at at the the close close of of the the day's day's business business, , carecarefully fully placed placed his his valuables valuables in in an an ordinary ordinary

white box box, , and and carried carried the the box box to to the the rear rear white part part of of his his store store. . There There he he went went through through certain motions motions, , but but what what he he did did Scott certain Scott could not not discover discover, , although although he he was was watchwatchcould ing ing curiously curiously from from the the outside outside. . For sevFor several nights nights Scott Scott saw saw the the Frenchman Frenchman go go eral through through the the same same proceeding proceeding, , and and finally finally he asked asked the the jeweller jeweller what what he did. . InInhe he did vestigation vestigation showed showed that that the the box box was a was a simple wooden simple wooden affair affair and and that that the the FrenchFrenchman put put plaster plaster of of Paris Paris around around it it for for man deprotection against fire fire. . Scott Scott then then de-

INSURANCE INSURANCE TRUST TRUST AND AND SAFE SAFE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT COMPANY COMPANY, , PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA. .

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THE THE EVOLUTION EVOLUTION OF OF THE THE SAFE SAFE DEPOSIT DEPOSIT COMPANY COMPANY. .

plished plished his his object object by by sheer sheer force force—he simply he simply broke broke them them open open with with sledgehammers sledgehammers. . Then Then GOLD & improvements improvements were were made made SILVER VAULT in the the way way of of steel steel bars bars in and and increased increased thickness thickness of of the the safe safe. . For For aa time time the ingenious ingenious cracksman cracksman the forced forced the the lock lock from from the the safe door door by by means means of of safe an implement implement called called aa an “Jack-in-the-box.”’ Jack- in - the - box . " blown in Locks Locks were were blown in 10 pieces pieces by by means means of of gungunpowder powder inserted inserted in in the the keyholes keyholes. . Then Then a a powpowder-proof lock was was ininder - proof lock vented vented and and the the dial dial lock lock Burglars soon followed followed. . Burglars soon also became became progressive progressive also in in their their art art, , and and a a proprofessional's fessional’s outfit outfit would would consist of of aa jimmy jimmy, , drills drills, , consist drill press press, , wedges wedges, , sledge , aa hamchisels, , a a sledge, hamchisels mer, , aa flask flask of of gunpowder gunpowder mer and fuse fuse, , ordinary ordinary tools tools and used used for for house house-breaking, - breaking , and an an air air-pump—an inand - pump an ingenious instrument instrument used used, DOOR DOOR OF OF THE THE GOLD GOLD AND AND SILVER SILVER VAULT VAULT, , UNITED UNITED STATES STATES TREASURY TREASURY. . for the the purpose purpose of of introintrofor ducing ducing explosives explosives into into a a cided that that it it would would be be aa good good idea idea to to safe safe at at the the joint joint around around the the door door. . cided enclose plaster of of Paris Paris or or other other fireproof fireproof The safe safe deposit deposit system system is is the the natural natural enclose The material in in iron iron. . With With considerable considerable difdif- outgrowth outgrowth of of the the storage storage system system, , and and was was material ficulty ficulty he he induced induced aa friend friend to to loan loan him him introduced introduced in in New New York York about about 1865. 1865. In In $300 for the the new new venture venture. . He He went went to to his his an an ordinary ordinary safe safe deposit deposit vault vault, , steel steel-faced 300 for $ - faced home in in Philadelphia Philadelphia, , taking taking with with him him boxes boxes graded graded in in size size from from five five inches inches wide wide home only only $ $150 and the the promise promise that that soon soon and and twenty twenty-three inches deep deep to to five five feet feet - three inches 150 and he he should should receive receive the the balance balance. . After After concon- square square run run from from the the top top of of the the room room to to the floor floor on on each each side side. . The The boxes boxes have have siderable delay delay the the wife wife of of his his friend friend came came the siderable over to to the the city city, , journeying journeying by by stage stage. . She She all all sorts sorts of of locks locks. . Some Some have have combinacombinaover principally tions carried her her luncheon luncheon with with her her ((principally tions known known only only to to the the owner owner, , and and others others carried cake) ) in in the the same same bag bag that that contained contained the the have have aa set set key key ;; that that is is, , the the assistant assistant puts puts cake money money. . Mice Mice got got at at the the cake cake and and mutimuti- in in a a key key that that half half opens opens the the lock lock and and the the lated renter opens opens it it fully fully with with his his own own key key—a a lated the the bank bank bills bills almost almost beyond beyond recrec- renter ognition double protection protection if if the the thief thief should should by by ognition. . But aa friendly friendly Quaker Quaker took took double But any device device succeed succeed in in getting getting inside inside the the the risk risk of of redeeming redeeming them them, , believing believing that that any the vault. . The The average average thickness thickness of of the the walls walls the government government would would make make good good the the loss loss, , vault the and Scott Scott began began to to manufacture manufacture safes. It of of the the vaults vaults is is about about three three feet feet, , the the wall wall and safes . It is said said that that he he was was very very successful successful for for a a being being composed composed generally generally of of brick brick or or grangranis ite with with alternate alternate plates plates of of iron iron and and steel steel. . time, , and and as as he he had had no no competitors competitors he he was was ite time In some some instances instances insulated insulated wires wires are are laid laid able to to sell sell for for $ $200 safes which which cost cost him him able 200 safes In only only ten ten dollars dollars to to produce produce. . in the the wall wall, , and and aa burglar burglar trying trying to to effect effect in an entrance entrance would would inevitably inevitably send send an an alarm alarm When the the old old-fashioned safes were were in in an When - fashioned safes to the the nearest nearest police police station station and and to to the the ofofvogue vogue the the industrious industrious burglar burglar accomaccom- to

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burglar -alarm arated arated by by brick brick arches arches, , between between iron iron fice of of some some private private district district burglar-alarm fice system beams, , have have no no communication communication with with one one system. . Boxes Boxes are are rented rented from from eight eight doldol- beams another except except by by means means of of the the staircase staircase lars to to $ $2500 per year year. . lars another 2500 per the rear rear, , which which is is in in a a well well cut cut off off from from The interior interior of of one one of of these these large large safe safe at The at the deposit deposit companies companies’ ' vaults vaults may may not not inapinap- the the rest rest of of the the building building by by heavy heavy brick brick propriately propriately be be illustrated illustrated by by aa brief walls and and openings furnished furnished with with iron iron brief dede- walls scription scription of of the the plant plant of of the the Lincoln Lincoln Safe doors. . All All the the machinery machinery of of the the elevators elevators Safe doors is also also confined confined to to this this well well. . Deposit company company. . The The upper upper six six stories stories is Deposit Each is form the the storage storage warehouse warehouse. . Each is There are are three three large large elevators elevators for for goods goods, , There form divided by by two two corridors corridors into into four four series series to to which which access access is is gained gained from from the the rear rear divided carrying to separated from of compartments compartments, , separated from the the corstreet, , each each of of them them capable capable of of carrying to of cor- street ridors and from from each each other other by by fireproof fireproof the the top top of of the the building building aa loaded loaded furniture furniture ridors and partitions partitions. . Although Although the the windows windows at the van. The foundation foundation is is blasted blasted out out of of the the at the van . The ends of of the the corridors corridors, , which which are are protected protected solid rock, , and and floored floored with with concrete concrete. . The The ends solid rock by by double double iron iron shutters, , are are the the only only roof is is covered covered with with a a heavy heavy layer layer of of ceinceinshutters roof openings openings in in the the front front and and rear rear walls walls, , there there ent ent. . The The outer outer walls walls are are three three feet feet thick thick. . 99 coupon rooms is no no lack lack of of light light, , and and ventilation is proproThe “coupon rooms’’ are are neat neat private private The is ventilation is vided with with equal equal care in order order to to guard guard compartments compartments about about the the size size of of average average vided care in against compartment being against mould mould, , each each compartment being staterooms staterooms. . Some Some customers customers use use these these connected with with the the outer outer air air by by flues flues built built compartments compartments instead instead of of offices offices, , and and attend attend connected inthe walls. . These These stories stories, , which which are sep- there there to to all all their their personal personal financial financial busibusiin the walls are sepness, , the the examinaexaminaness tion of of papers papers, , stocks stocks, , tion bonds, , etc. ete. There There bonds is ladies is also also a a ladies’ room room ’’ where where women women

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local comic comic journals journals, , local not long long ago ago, , jokjoknot ingly ingly illustrated illustrated the the faith faith a a woman woman has has in a a safe in safe deposit comcompany pany. . Mrs. Mrs. Cooponz Cooponz to remarks remarks to her her My husfriend: : 66 «My husfriend band says says that that we we band must must economize economize. . All All his his securities are are dropping dropping lower lower every every day . The day.’’ The friend friend, , Mrs. Mrs. Van Van Gelt Gelt ((arich a rich young young widow widow),) , reresponds Mine are sponds: : " «Mine are all right right, , II know know. . I all keep keep them them in in aa safe safe deposit vault vault.’’ ." It It is is the the custom custom of of many persons persons of of many wealth to to keep keep with with wealth a safe safe deposit deposit comcoma pany pany not not only only stocks stocks | and and bonds bonds but but family family jewels jewels and and expensive expensive #) plate plate. . When When large large entertainments entertainments are

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tion ; for for as as I look look at at this this great great lock lock I tion think, ‘Man's ingenuity for for man man makes makes think Man's ingenuity countless burglars burglars mourn mourn.’ ’”’ countless The superintendent superintendent of of a well well known known The company company says says that that there there are are many many sosocalled safe safe deposit deposit companies companies throughout throughout called the country country which which afford afford very very inadequate inadequate the protection Burglars he protection to their their patrons patrons. Burglars, he argues, keep keep pace pace with with the the skill skill of of safe safe argues manufacturers manufacturers. The National National Safe Deposit company company of of The Safe Deposit London occupies occupies a large large, isolated isolated building building London in Queen Queen Victoria Victoria street street. The The building building in is fireproof fireproof and and covers covers the the large large safe safe vault or or citadel citadel, which which is is sunk sunk in in the the vault ground ground to to the the depth depth of of forty forty-five feet. five feet The vault The vault itself itself is built built on on a bed bed of of conconcrete twenty twenty feet feet in in thickness thickness, and and has has crete walls walls three three feet feet thick thick of of hard hard blue blue brick brick laid in in cement cement, with with an an external external lining lining of laid of firebrick The firebrick. The interior interior of of this this structure structure is lined lined with with cast cast-iron plates four four and and a iron plates half half inches thick thick, chilled chilled on on one one side side, the the plates plates having having imbedded imbedded in in them them a netnetwrought iron work of of strong strong, interlaced interlaced, wrought-iron work bars. The vault vault is divided divided into into four four tiers tiers, bars The or stories stories, with with eight eight separate separate compartor compartments in in each each, which which, after after business business hours hours, ments are are closed closed with with doors doors raised raised and and lowered by by hydraulic hydraulic power power. These doors doors, each each These of which which weighs weighs four four tons tons, are are built built up up, of twelve inches inches thick thick, of of combinations combinations of of twelve hard and and tough tough metal metal to resist resist fracture fracture hard and drilling drilling. When they they are are raised raised for for and When business purposes the the entrance entrance to each each business compartment is protected protected by by a massive massive compartment wrought wrought-iron grille. Within Within the the thirty thirty-two iron grille two compartments compartments there there is space space for for about about 20,000 20,000 safes safes of of various various sizes sizes, which which are are let to owners owners of valuables valuables. The premises premises let The are constantly constantly patrolled patrolled by by armed armed watchwatchare men, and and so many many precautions precautions have have been been men taken that that even even the the cautious cautious Englishmen Englishmen taken say say they they have have been pushed pushed been to a needless needless

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vaults vaults. The jewels jewels belonging belonging to Madame Madame Patti Patti, The it is estimated estimated, are are worth worth about about half halfa million dollars dollars. She She deposits deposits them them with with million a safe safe deposit deposit company company on on her her arrival arrival in town and and sends messenger and and a detecdetectown sends a messenger tive to to take take them them out out on on a night night when when tive she is going going to to sing sing in in the the opera opera. she Cardinal Gibbons Gibbons paid paid a visit visit to the the Cardinal Lincoln vaults vaults some some months months ago ago. He He was was Lincoln particularly particularly interested interested in in the the intricate intricate mechanism of of the the immense immense lock lock on on the the mechanism main door door of of the the vault vault. He said said to to the the main He writer, who who was was showing showing him him around around: writer “It occurs occurs to me me that that a new new rendering rendering should be made made of of acertain famous quotaquotashould be certain famous

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G. S. S. CLARK CLARK, PRESIDENT OF THE FIDELITY G. PRESIDENT OF THE FIDELITY , ANCE ANCE COMPANY COMPANY, PHILADELPHIA PHILADELPHIA.

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