A BURGLAR IN A BOX.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3787, 27 May 1885, Page 3

A BURGLAR IN A BOX.

The “St Louis Globe-Democrat” gives an account of a singular discovery of a burglar at Houston in Tex»u:— At five o’clock one evening a largo box whs hauled and delivered by a drayman to the Texas Express Company in Congress Street. He delivered at the samo time an illegibly-written letter. The box had the following address marked on it: “B. A. Smith, Bremner, Ga.” It was rolled into the office and left unnotic d. At 11.40, just as the night’s business was being closed up, the coloured night porter, Andrew Jones,went to the box to get his coat. In lifting it he fonnd that one end had gone into and was caught in the box. Surprised,he gave the coat a jerk and i board flew off the box and revealed the foot and leg of a live man. The negro called the acting night clerk, Oscar Reynard, who cams with a pistol and ordered the man in the box to remain inside. Notice was sent to the polieestation, when Deputy-marshal Glass came and took the fellow from the box. He had in his possession a jug of water and a bag. One large board was held at one end by a leather strap that was arranged so that it could be hooked inside. At the station-house he gave his name as Bryan Smith. The plan was to rob the express office that night after the night force had left. In bi« anxiety to sec what Mr Reynard was doing he opened the box aud rolled oat, and as the porter came be suddenly drew the board shut and caught the tail of the coat. If be had not blundered the office would have been robbed by him and his companions, whom he would have let in.