, 1872-11-20
A FAMILY TORTURED BY BURGLARS.

Bound, Gagged, nnd 1ronedo-1A0ney
Extorted by Threats OF Death--Ehe
House Set on Fire and One Of the
Inmates Dreadfu-1y Burned.
Pittsburgh Pa. S'g IN 70 Gsgsfa Gs5ssip""ds"'s Of " <''
Titusville-in:the oil regions-is in q state OF
great excitement to-day over most daring rob-
berry which was perpetrated there last night
While tho family Of John Wateon, residing on
the hill opposite the old Hinkly refinery, we're at
supper, party Of men, numbering five, entered
the house, and, approaching MIR. Watson with
pistols in hand and masks on their faces, de-
manded his money. They cautioned the family
not to make the least noise, telling them that it
was their money they wanted, and that all must
submit to be bound and gagged, and that il they
made the least resistance they would call IN the
balance Of the gang, who were guarding the en-
trance outside. They proceeded to handcu1 the
fs .3 aRyGg later the
aon-in-laW OF the former, at the same time gag
eing them, and then tying the entire family to-
gether. They next ordered Watson to open his
safe. The latter replied, "My money is all in
Warren, deposited with my brother.'' They re-
Piled, ';,We know whom you refer to, but your
money is in the house, aud We must have It,"
Watson theeeupon, with the muzz1e Of huge
revolver
PLACED AGAINST his EAR,,
opened the safe, and something like 1000 we're
abstracted. After the safe had been robbed the
follow the thieves down in the cellar, then up
through every room in the house, and, at the
peril of their lives, information as to where
valuables were kept was demanded and given.
After thorough search the family were con-
Quoted back to the dining room. Mrs. Watson,
Susan Stewart, and Archibald Stewart were
placed on lounge, blindfolded, 1roned and
gagged, and tied to the stove in such . manner
that il the7 moved the stove would tip over
upon them. The 6ends then left the house,
having remained about an hour and hel1, "n1ie
the balance-nine in all-were standing watch
on the outside. In the hurry to depart tne 1ent-
ed lamp was upset, and
THE HOUSE SET ON FIRE.
The robbers then returned, and, taking clothes
from the wardrobes, threw them on the burning
portion of the dwelling, and with the utmost
difficulty succeeded in extinguisling the flames.
Nj. Watson was severely burned, but the rob-
be1s made no endeayor to pull him from the
names. James Stewart, member OF the fami-
", arrived home after midnight and found the
family in sorry plight. The irons on Watson
cut him into the bone, and he was pleading pro-
fusely. Those on the other members OF the
only by severing thom with 6le- The thieves
had handouts for every member OF the
house and their pockets filed with handker-
chiefs. They had also plentiful supply OF leg
irons. The police we're notified, and at o'clock
this morning all the hotels in the place were
searched and the town secured, but no arrests
have SO far been made. The villains have 80 ef-
feetively.done their weok as to give no clue to
their whereabouts, The greatest excitement e1-
lists in the oil regions over this deyish outrage.
It is very evident that the party were aware that
Watson had money in his house, as he had neg
lected to deposit sum the exact amount of
which he does not know None Of the family
we're severely injured but Mr. Stewart, whose
feet and hands are dreadfully burned by the up
setting Of lamp.