Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-10-12
SANGUINARY ENGAGEMENT WITH A BURGLAR

SANGUINARY ENGAGEMENT WITH A BURGLAR.
On Monday morning last about three
o'clock in the morning, Mr.. Jas. Wait Il
merchant at Hollisterville, was awakened
by noise in his room, and looking from
his bed where himself and wife were sleep
ing in the second story OF his house, he dis
covered a man endeavoring to open h Bu-
reau drawer He Immediately Ieaped from
his bed and caught him, one arm around his
body, and the other his throat The latter
caught an immense pair of false whiskers
and moustaches that gave way at his grasp
leaving a finger tightly clenched in the rob-
bers mouth, severe struggle ensued, Mr.
Wait holding tightly to the robber, both
went tumbling down the stairs together
At this the noise and cries aroused the
household Mrs. Wait feeble woman first
came to the rescue and as feeble as she was
having Just recovered from a Bilious fever,
grasped foot and held on to the best Of
her ability. He had by this time passed
through the sitting room into narrow en-
try when the burglar was still using every
effort to rid himself of the firm hold of Mr.
Wait, at this time his son, some IS years
of age, came also to his assistance. As
soon as he entered the narrow hall the
IL
Gus if not a fatal wound, rendering him
powerless. Just then another and elder
son came bringing light, whom he also
shot, the ball taking effect in the left shoul-
der, but did not disable him, he discharged
two other shots that did not take effect, and
snapped three other caps Of his revolver
that snapped fire. The last son also brought
a revolver with him and shot one ball
through the thigh and another slightly
wounding the forehead Of the burglar. He
then went to the woodpile and found club,
and vigorously applied it over his the Burg
lars head so that the third blow brought
him down, he was then at their mercy
His son would have dispatched him, but the
father objected.
After short time the neighbors were
aroused and such house is seldom met ;
blood marked the skirmish from the first,
the hall and porch was covered with blood
and torn garments.
| \ search being made while the robber
| lay senseless on the ground resulted in the
| discovery of a dark lantern of beautiful
construction, skeleton keys a revolver, false
whiskers, moustach, match box, and every
other article necessary for carrying on his
nefarious business. Mr.. Wait was struck
several times on the head and face with
the pistol and bruised severely all over his
person, yet held fast until the scoundrel
was finished hey ond all danger by the son.
The robber was identified as one of those
who had been about the neighborhood ped
ding linen table cloths.
Mr.. Wait had about $500 in his wallet in
the pocket of his pantaloons. This was
probably taken first, and before he retired
to lower room. He put large rag in
the pocket book from which he had taken
| the money.
This is the fourth robbery that has been
| committed in that vicinity within the past
year, and from ten to twelve thousand dol
lars taken, Of which no part has been re-
covered.
Since the above facts We're received we
learn the robber has so far recovered as to
| be able to give his name, that he had two
| accomplices, and one Of them was in the
house when the skirmish commenced, but
fled and left him one.
The circumstances con lected with the af-
fair should warn all persons to give these
travelling pack pedlars wide berth and a
speedy dismissal from their premises, for
many of them take that method to obtain
the localities and particulars of houses they
intand to make a descent upon.--iScrantOn
Register.