The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-08-14

Burglary.-The residence of Postmaster
General Creswcll, located within half Il
mile of this town, was entered by a burglar
ON Tuesday morning last, who was dscov-
cred in the evening about 8 o'clock, and
who gave the name of William Coleman,
of New York The burglar was discovered
by Mr.. Philipson, Mr.. Creswelfs 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 arrange
ments to rob it. 4 noise was heard in the
house several times during the day, by per-
SONS who were about the yard, but it was
supposed that it was caused by bat. In
the evening, the noise being again heard,
a search of the premises was determined
upon to ascertain the cause. The house
was accordingly entered, and the discovery
soon made that some person was Within
The burglar was first seen by Mr.. Philip
son, in a room up stairs, who reported the
fact to the searching party. He was next
discovered at the head of the stairs, as if
in the act of descending, and when he was
threatened with 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 a tree, but the
limb giving way, he was precipitated to
the ground some fifteen feet. The fall ap-
{,,h hoy OF, hot
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.. Cres-
WE'LL clothes, in the pockets of which were
found large number of keys, pocket
knives, bottle of chloroform, matches,
and small wax candles. A dark lantern
was also found in the yard, where he had
it was discovered that almost all the ward
robes, bureaus, chests, closets, ETC., had
been broken open, and their contents scat
tered about. The wine closet had received
bottles it was evident he had helped him
self freely to champagne and other choice
liquors. Farther search discovered large
packages of clothing, belonging to Mr..
Creswell; silk dresses, a vevet cloak and
other paraphernalia, the property of Mrs.
Creswell also, a satchel, in which the
robber had placed ready for carrying off,
wine-glasses, an opera-glass, and some arti-
oil of oil A Of no
rich and costly furniture in the house was
much injured by having the locks rudely
forced and doors broken open. The silver
plate and other costly tableware had been
removed from the premises, which doubt
less proved great disappointment to the
burglar, which was expressed in the follow
ing letter, found in the house, written on
sheet of foolscap, in scrawling hand, adj
dressed to Mr. Creswell by the thief, which
we give verbatim
"Bill Coleman, New York Burglar,
spent all day in your house. Your liquors
are splendid. | regret to say that it was
the poorest place l ever met.
Yours, truly, WILLIAM COLEMAN.
Written when drunk off your fine liquors
at 10 o'clock at night
Bill has at present quarters in the old
jail, but how long he will remain there is
matter not easily determined. Ho confesses
his crime, and expresses regret that the
furniture has been so badly injured.
After being ensconced in his new quar-
tiers, he was relieved of five of Mr.. Cres-
wells shirts by the Sheriff, the rascal hav-
ing put them on, as the most convenient
mode of transporting such baggage.