The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-08-08
From the Chicago Times, August I'll.
A villninous Outrage by Chicago
Thieves.

One of the boldest and most desper-
ate robberies that has for long time
disgraced the records of Chicago or its
suburbs was recently perpetrated, and,
though the act was committed on Fri
day evening last, it did not come to
light until yesterday, the matter being
in the hands of the police, and for pru-
dental reasons kept from the public.
The crime was committed at the resi-
dence of Michael Eagan, on the Bule Isl
and plank road, near Mud Lake. AT
the time, Mr.. Eagan was absent, his
wife being entirely alone in the house,
of which fact the robbers were undoubt-
edly fully cOngnizant. Without doubt,
they had for days watched the house
and its inmates closely, and had made
themselves sure that there was con-
siderable sum of money kept there.
Possessed of this information, with no
compunctious feeling, they only await
ed favorable opportunity for the ac-
cOmplishment of their preconcerted
villaiDy. On Friday evening, the OPP
portunIty they were looking for came.
Secretiug themselves in the stable near
the house, the two confederates waited
for the darkness of late hour in the
evening, when the neighborhood should
be quiet, and they would be in no danger
of interruption from an occasional
passer-by, and when Mrs. Eagan would
probably be in q sound sleep, to make
demonstration. At "A little past lO
O'Clock, as she was about to retire, Mrs.
Eagan heard all unusual nCise in the
stable, and went out to ascertain the
cause Upon opening the stable door,
she discovered man standing by one
of the horses, and before she had time to
realize her danger, the desperado leaped
forward, threw her down, and sitting
her cries with his hand, dragged her into
the house, at the same time signalling
his confederate with a peculiar whistle,
who Immediately responded, and assist,
ed in carrying the terrified and
struggling woman into the house.
Having succeeded in getting her
inside without her being able to
give any alarm, their road was clear.
One of the Williams, placing her head be-
TWEEN his knees, held her pOwerless,
while the other started on tour Of in
spection throsgh tie house. He was
gone some fifteen minuts, during which
| time he had quite thoroughly ransacked
the house, but returned with the infOr'
nation that his search had proved fruit
less. The torture the poor woman suf-
fered during this time from her painfully
constrained position, the agony of ap-
prehensiOn and how every minute seem
ed an hour, needs no description. SO
far, they were as far as ever from accom-
plishing their purpose, and, determined
not to be foiled, they changed their tao
tics. There was bureau which had not
vet been searched, and which had resist
ed their efforts to force ii open. They
then searched the person of Mrs. Eagan
for their keys, and examining her pock-
cts they could not be found. During this
search Mrs. Eagan continued her
frantic efforts to free herself, and unfor-
tunately, beside subjecting her to brutal
blows from the ruffians in the face, her
struggles betrayed her causing a jingling
of the keys, which were concealed be-
meath the bosom of her dress. Instant
| ly the dress was torn open, and possession
of the keys was obtained. She was then
gagged. her clothing was pulled up over
her head and securely fastened, and to-
gether the wretches proceeded to rifle
the bureau. Here they were successful.
A small box was found containing 5000
in greenbacks, which being secured, the
robbers extingu;shed the light and eau
tiously stole TO the door, where, after
watching for few moments, and find
ing the coast clear, they disappeared.
Mrs. Eagan, weak from her struggles
and the great terror she had endured,
soon tainted, in which condition she was
found BY her husband, who returned soon
after the robbers had made good their es-
cape. Not the slightest clue has as yet
been obtained to the perpetrators of the
bold crime.