Illustrated Police News, Saturday, 27th June 1874.A burglar who broke into a closet in a physician's office in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, got more than he bargained for when he ended up with his hand caught between the gnashers of a skeleton, 'which being adjusted with a coil spring and kept open with a thread, closed suddenly on the intruding hand by the breaking of the thread'. Startled by having his fingers nibbled in this way, the burglar let out a cry, which immediately drew the attention of his criminal companion, who rushed forward with his lantern and illuminated the terrible scene. Upon seeing himself caught in the skeletal 'Jaws of Death', the terrified burglar fainted and fell to the floor, bringing the skeleton down upon himself. The resulting noise caused his accomplice to flee the scene and alerted the owner of the office to the presence of the burglar, who, still frightened half to death, was easily apprehended.
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