On This Date in Minnesota History: January 19

*January 19, 1902 – A bold robbery took place early this morning in Glendive, Mont. Diamonds, valued between $10,000 and $20,000 and belonging to S. H. Clausen & Co., Minneapolis wholesale jewelers, were stolen.

Two iron bound trunks were taken from the baggage room of the Northern Pacific station this morning, but nothing was gone except a bag of set and unset diamonds and from 300 to 400 gold rings. A tray containing 24 set diamonds was overlooked by the thieves. The trunks were the property of C. B. Clausen, Minneapolis, traveling representative of S. H. Clausen & Co. He arrived at Glendive from the East at 7 p. m. Saturday. The trunks were left in charge of the baggage agent.

The robbery was an unusually daring one, and was evidently the work of bold and experienced thieves. The windows of the baggage room were forced open with a pinch bar, after which the trunks weighing 250 pounds each, were carried through the opening and broken open within 20 feet, of the station platform. The trunks were found broken open at 7 a. m. this morning.

The burglars carried on their work quietly, as four men were sleeping in the second story of the station, and the express agent was in an adjoining room. None of them heard the least noise. During the day Glendive officers placed under arrest Jimmy McCarthy, an ex-prize fighter. It is stated that that he was acting suspiciously and when arrested, had on his person two large six shooters.

The S. H. Clausen company is located at 103 Bank of Commerce building.

The Minneapolis Tribune; “Local Firm Loses Gems. Diamonds Worth $20,000 Stolen From C. B. Clausen’s Trunk at Glendive, Mont. Bold, Clever Robbery. Clausen is Traveling Representative of S. H. Clausen, Minneapolis.”; Jan. 20, 1902; p. 5.

Northern Pacific Passenger Depot, Glendive, MT

http://www.familyoldphotos.com/photo/montana/30138/northwest-passenger-depot-glendive-montana-early-1900s

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