The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-17

The ROBBERY OF THE House OF THE Posi-
MAsTER-GEH ERAL.-Thc Elkton Wing gives
the particulars of the robbery of the house
of the Hon Mr.. Crcswell, near that town:
The residence of Postmastcr-General Crcs-
well, located within half mile Of this town,
was entered by q burglar On Tuesday morn
ing last, who was discovered in the evening
about o'clock, and who gave the name of
William Coleman, Of New York. The bur-
glnr was discovered by Mr.. Philipson, Mr..
Creswcil's gardener, and other persons at
the time viewing the garden. The house
has been closed since Mr.. Crcswell and
family have been in Washington, and the
burglar coming into possession of this fact,
made his arrangements to rob it. \ noise
was heard in the house several times du-
ring the day by persons who were about the
yard, but it was supposed that it was caused
by bat. In the evening, the noise being
again heard, search Of the premises
was determined upon to ascertain the
cause. The house was accordingly en-
tered, and the discovery soon made
that some person was within. The
burglar was first seen by Mr.. PhilipsOn in
a room up stairs, who reported the fact to
the searching party. He was next disco
vered at the head of the stairs as if in the
act of descending, and when he was threat
encd with q shot he returned and made his
exit by the window on the north portico.
From there he attempted to reach the
ground by the aid of tree, but the limb
giving way he was precipitated to the
ground some fifteen feet. The fall ap-
peared to have stunned him somewhat, and
he was captured and delivered into the
hands Of the sheriff, who happened to be
passing at the time. He had on at the time
of his arrest full suit of Mr.. Creswclfs
clothes, in the pockets of which were found
large number Of keys, pocket-knives,
bottle of chloroform, matches, and small
wax candles. 4 dark lantern was also
found in the yard where he had fallen.
On an examination of the house it was dis
covered that almost all the wardrobcs, bu-
reaus, chests, closets, ETC., had been broken
open and their contents scattered about.
The wine closet had received his particular
attention, and from the open bottles 1t was
evident he had helped himself freely TO
champagne and other choice liquors.
Further search discovered large packages
of clothing belonging to Mr.. Creswcll !;
silk dresses, a velvet cloak, and other para
phernalia, the property OF Mrs. Creswell !;
also, satchel, in which the robber had
placed, ready for carrying of, wine glasses,
an opera-glass, and some articles Of small
clothing. A great deal Of the rich and
costly furniture in the house was much
injured by having the locks rudely forced
and doors broken open. The silyer-plate
and other costly tableware had been re-
moved from the premises, which doubtless
proved a great disappointment to the bur-
glar, which was expressed in the following
letter, found in the house, written on u
sheet Of foolscap, in scrawllng hand,
addressed to MIR. Crcswcll by the thief,
which we give Uerbdtim:
bill Coleman, New York burglar, spent
all day in your house. Your liquors are
splendid regret to say that it was the
poorest place ever met.
Yours truly, WILLIAM COLEMAN.
"Written when drunk off your fine IL
uuors at 10 o'clock at night"
Bill has at present quarters IN the OLD
Jail, but how long he will remain there is
a matter not easily determined. lie con-
fesses his crime, and expresses regret that
the furniture has been so badly injured.
After being ensconccd III his new quarters
he was relieved Of five Of Mr.. Creswells
shirts by the sheriff, the rascal having put
them on as the most convenient mode OF
TRANSMITTING such baggage.