The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-22
Attempt of Burglars TO steal the "Web-
ster PIate0

A bold and partially successful robbery was
committed in 6outhbo1o on Sunday night, IN
the house of Captain Samuel Appleton, grand
son of Daniel Webster. 1t has been some what
generally known that the family plate OF
Daniel Webster has been for some time IN the
possession of Captain Appleton. and aOout one
year ago q desperate attempt was made to get
possession OF It and other valuables in his
house. The robbers utterly failed, however,
as their entrance TO the house was quickly
discovered by Captain Appleton, who shot one
On Sunday night Captain Appleton returned to
his house from temporary absence, about IL
O'Clock, and soon after retired. he was
aroused from partial sleep not long after by
noises down stairs which appeared suspicious.
Thinking that all was not right, he arose and
partially dressed, and descended from his cham
As he reached the hall below he looked
through the door, which was partially open,
into his library, and saw that his papers were
strewn around the floor of the room. Before
he had time to enter the library, the outer front
door opened from some cause, and the light was
exiting uished by the wind. Convinced that the
house had been entered by robbers, he went
Immediately back 10 his chamber and armed
himself with his pistol, which was large
snglebarrelled one, and went down again, this
time without light and proceeded TO his
dining-room. As he was entering the room his
foot tripped against something, after wards
found TO be a drawer which had been ransaCke ed
and then thrown there, and he was pitched for
ward upon his face. In falling his pistol eX-
ploded, the ball entering the floor. In the light
of the flash of the explosion he saw the forms of
two men, who Immediately jumped upon him,
seIZing him by the throat choking and beat
ing him until he became insensible, and re-
mained so for two hours.
Captain Appleton thinks he retained con-
sciousness for nearly ten minutes, during which
time he was severely bruised in the face and
body in number of places, but meanwhile
succeeding in making outcries sufficient to
arouse other members OF the family, and to
alarm the robbers, so that they hastily fled, car
rying away, as the entire result of their work,
two one thousand dollar United States 7'30
notes. An examination of the house showed
that nearly every room below stairs had been
thoroughly ransacked, bureaus opened aud
emptied of their contents, and nearly all the
silver-ware and valuables in those rooms piled
together upon q shawl of Mrs. Appleton's,
spread upon the floor preparatory to their de-
parture, which was doubtless soon to have been
made.
An examination of the windows showed that
the robbers had effected an entrance by cutting
the glass of one of the windows and then un-
fastening and opening 1t. Captain Appleton,
although severely bruised, is not seriously
injured, and feels the loss of the money taken
as of slight value compared with this second
successful defense of q most valued heirloom, ia
addition to other valuables AS yet the robbers
have been successful in eluding detection.
Captain Appleton had sold his farm day or
two previous to the robbery, and there is every
reason 10 believe that the men who committed
the robbery knew of it. 1t appears that the
work was done Systematically, as it was dis
covered that they had previously broken into
the stable and got the horse and carriage ready
to assist them in escaping with the plumber,
which they fortunately were hlndered from
carrying away.-Boston Journal. .r. ....