Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-03-17
Savage Assault---Attempt to Kill Col
leetor Hastings.
Robbery Of $4,000 IN gold from the Custo
TOuSR

House.
Friday night last says the Pittsburg Union,
one of the most desperate and daring robberies,
connected with an attempt to murder that it has
ever been or duty to record, perpetrated in
our midst. Mr.. John Hastings. Collector of Gus
toms, who resides in Allegheny City, beyond
the canal, had taken his supper about seven o.
clock, and stepped out to cross to the Collector
of Tolls Office opposite. There about twen-
ty stone steps leading down from his lot to the
path along the canal. He had descended these
nearly to the bottom, when stout heavy set
fellow, with surtuout coat and cap on, stepped
up from the side-wall directly in front of him.
At the same moment he heard footsteps behind
him, and could just glance back te see large
man, wearing black frock coat and hat, grapple
him by the throat with both hands, while
below struck him over the head with colt. He
thinks there was third man also struck him
Stranglcd and stunned by blows, he sank down
insensble when the ruffans rified his pockets of
1920 a gold watch, and keys of the vault and
drawers in the Custom House. The money con-
sisted of two 500 bills. two $50 notes and one
$50, all on the Merchants and Manufacturers
Bank of Pittsburg The villains left him, they
supposed, dead. He must have lain as they left
him, nearly three quarters of an hour, when re-
viving he crawled to the top of the steps and
and called for help. His wife and son came out
dreadfuly alarmed, and procuring assistance
from the Tolls Office, conveyed him into the
house He was found to be most severely beat
en-, and it was thought his skull was fractured.
DIR. MCook, Sr., was Immediately sent for, who
at once repaired to the spot, and effected speedy
relief Messengers were sent, also, to warn the
watchman at the Custom House of the vault key.
The watchnan, Joseph Cupples, was prompt
ly notified but it appeared the next morning the
robbers had profited well by the start they had
got, and had entered the vault and abstracted
$4,000 in gold, chiefly $50 pieces, leaving 81,
SO scattered over the floor of the vault. The
Police of this and other cities are on the scent,
but yet no clue is had to the perpetrators of
this daring outrage. Quite excitement pre-
walls throughout the community. A reward of
one thousand dollars is offered for the arrest of
! the robbers and recovery of the stolen money.
Mr.. Hastings recovery is pronounced by his
physician, Dr. NJ Cook, as very probable. 1t is
sincerely hoped by every one that the scoundrels
may be speeding overtaken and summarily dis
posed of Verify robbery and murder met US at
-1,tir very ddl1rS-
During the momeptary struggle with the rob
bers en- the stone steps, there were several boats
that had just arrived at the Toll Office not thir-
ty yards from the spot. Some half dozen per-
sens were in the Office and about the porch yet
not the slightest indication of the brutal deed be-
ing done so close at hand reached them Not
word appears to have been spoken, but with ST.
lence and celerity truly astonishing, the bloody
! ruffans performed their work There is no doubt
their intention was to kill their victim, which
they supposed they had accomplished. Possess
sed of the vault key, they must have hurried at
once to the Custom House but how they man
aged to get open the outer door, and to avoid all
alarm of the watchman, is yet mystery An
investigation is being had of the matter before
the Mayor.
We clip the following from the same paper of
latter date than the above.
The Investigation of the outrage and robbery
of last Friday night, which was commenced be-
fore the Mayor on Saturday last, was proceeded
with yesterday. The testimony was designed
for transmission to Washington, as well as for
the purpose of eliciting some important facts to
guide the police Tho particulars will probably
| be published shortly.
Mr. Hastings suffered very much on Sunday