Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-01-20
Extract of a letter from Princeton N. Jersey.
DARING OUTRAGE.

An atrocious bur glary aud assault and bat
terry was committed on thr 4th inst near Scud-
der's Mills, two miles from Princeton, New
Jersey, on the house and persons Of Benjamin
Maple and wife, two aged and respectable per-
sons residing in that neighbofhood.
| About twelve o'clock at night, some person
knocked at the door and requested admittance,
s. a,ing that he had lost his way, and did not
know the road TO the Mills, although they were
in sight, a, the distance Of only few hundred
wards 1t is also worthy OF remark that the
moon shone brightly. Mr.. Maple, who is now
near 80 years Of age, aud very much snfeebled
by several months sickness, requested his wife
TO get up and give the required objections
she die So though wiihonl ope ming the door,
thinking it an unse asonable hour 10 admit stran
gers. She had scarcely retired 10 bed, when,
without any previous ih'imalion, the door tho
strongly barred) was 5nrss oDen with ue-
mendOus crash. and three rufisns rushed IN
and Immediately seized the aged couple, the
only per sous IN The house, as they we're In the
ac Of raising from their bed, pressed ih'm
down ON he bed, and tied them down in very
harsh manner, beat and bruised Mr.. MS head
| considerably pinioned him with pair Of lines,
Then passed them two or three lines around
his neck, and fastened them 10 the bed post,
and when he begged ,hrm 10 iopsen them
lirie, they only drew them ,lgher until he was
almos, sranged. They placed ole to guarc
Them, with repeated threa's Of instant death it
they made the leas, noise, or did not imme-
didtely tell them where tSeir money Was. The
old man told them that all the money in the
house was con aimed IN Chrs that stood near
They broke ii open, rummagcd is contents,
and goi between three and four dollais IN silver
In their hurry, not finding he notes, a few
dollars,) having iumbled ,hem among the
clio hrs without disco. ering them; af'er search h.
Ing every part If he house, even the cellar, and
throwing every thing into confusion, they Sc
lec,ed neatly all The old mans clothes and par:
81 his wife's, auan,ny ofprovisiuns from he
cellar and decamped sf'er tar'yins nearly
two bou,s, though not without hrqnfn'iy
threalen:ns the lives Of he . ed couple if1hey
die no, iell hem where toe tnousand dollars
had been placed, which hey said he had lately
received, but which, fortunately, or rather
ptovlden'aiy, for him, we're rot in the house.
They built fire in the cellar as il 10 burn the
house, but which, happily, did bu' little dam
age. After giving ONT Of The house TINY las.
ened the lines. Iwhi, they had taken of Mr..
Naples arms, and replaced win handker
chief,) 10 The out side Of the door, and TO Tree
IN front OF tt' house, so as 10 prevent The coors
being opened; barrie AIDED the win ow shutters
in SUI h a maMer ,ha the persons within coald
no, &c, OUT 70 give an alarm, and then r'ade
their escape.
A, day break, Mrs. Maple succeeded in
larming I've neighbors by hallooing from The
garrett window, who Immediately Came TO their
assistance, alarmed the nrighboi hood, who
turned out very generally, and promptly wen,
in pursuit Of The robbers. The search was
KEEP up with great vigilance and aiacrty Tor
three Successive days and nights, when three
persons answering the description which bad
been given Of the robbers, were rested, ex-
amincd and committed to New Brunswick
Jail, on strong circuin.tantial e,idence, to sake
theft trial in March next.
Great praise is certainly due 10 the neigh
bors for miles around, for their Energy, ACTIVITY
and perseverance, in searching the swamps
and woods night aud day for the purpose Of al
resting he robbers
Mr.. Maple is yet ve'y III in consequence of
the bruises aud severe exposure, for wo hours,
to he cold, with scarcely any clothes on MIN
The door being kept open while the rnbbHs
remained.