July 20, 1863 – A Cunning Master Thief?

Photo of the Smithsonian castle, 1863, with the Capital in the distance background.
View of the Smithsonian Institution Building looking east up B Street (later known as Independence Ave) towards the United States Capitol Building. Grounds are landscaped following plan laid out by Andrew Jackson Downing. Visible amidst the trees is the Magnetic Observatory, built in 1853. People stand along the fence installed along the sidewalk on B Street. 1863. Also see Record Unit 95, Box 30, Folder 7.

A soldier, was found lying on the floor in the gallery of the Smithsonian Institute, on Friday night. The case containing the Japanese curiosities was discovered to have been broken open, and a number of articles taken, among them a box inlaid with gold. On taking the soldier to the Central guard-house, the box referred to, together with a bottle of chloroform, was found upon his person.

Alexandria Gazette, Alexandria, VA