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Novel Test - Mr. Solon Langworthy - 1870

LANGWORTHY

Posted By: cheryl moonen (email)
Date: 9/15/2017 at 19:01:34

Sunday, October 31, 1869
Paper: Dubuque Daily Times (Dubuque, Iowa)
Page: 4

NOVEL TEST-A number of years ago, when Dubuque was new and not even stalked out its present magnificence proportions , Mr. Solon Langworthy, in company with his brothers embarked in the banking business. One of the first steps necessary was to obtain a safe to hold the valuables, and after much bargaining and vexation of spirit, for safes were rare in those early days, one of Lillie’s patent was finally procured. Such an institution was a novelty in Dubuque, and upon its arrival many there were who congregated to see it. Some prophesied that burglars could break through and steal, others as strongly insisted that such a thing was impossible, but Mr. Langworthy soon put a stop to all conjectures resolving to put the safe to a critical and romantic test. He took $2,000 in gold, all in bright glittering $20 pieces, held it up for the inspection of the crowd a moment, and then placed it in the safe and locked the door, with the understanding that the $2,000 belonged to anyone who could get it out. The crowd slowly dispersed and left the safe in its glory, solitary and alone upon the levee, not even a guard remaining on the ground. It stood there all afternoon and all night, and when Mr. Langworthy appeared the next morning and with beating heart proceeded to unlock the safe, he found his gold untouched, and bore it back to his office in triumph, while the old safe can be seen as sound as ever.

It would be hardly prudent to try that test in these days, as some of our experts would have the gold out in far less time then we have been writing this item. If anyone don’t believe it then let them try it.


 

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