The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-10-22

robbery IN Waterford on Sunday night
The Saratoga County Bank, Goes bust
ness in two story brick building il
Waterford, N. Y. The first story is uset
for banking purposes, and the remainder
is occupied by the cashier, ID. NJ. Var
Hovenberg aud family, which consists oil
his wife, two daughters about eighteen
years Of age and one son eight years old
At l o'clock Monday morning Ann
Driscol, the servant who slept in the
basement, was awakened by two men
They were standing over her one holding
dark lantern 10 his hand and the other
pointing revolver at her head, and
threateuingby all that vas horrible to kill
her instantly if she dared utter the least
cutlery, they commenced to bind her
wrists and limbs. She was then question.
ed as to the location Of the sleeping apart
ments os the family, and the number Of
persons it comprised. She gave them
truthful answers except that in the hope
Of frightening the men, supposing that
there we're but two, she said that Mr..
Van Hovenberg's brother was one of the
inmates of the building. At this one Of
the ruffians brought his revolver close to
the head oil the terrified woman, and told
her that she lied for the gentleman meu.
toned by her had not been in the house
since the previous Sunday. This was the
truth, and judging from this and from
other incidents the inference is that the
robbers were as intimately acquainted
with the internal arrangements as the in
mates themselves.
The two men hastily slipped pair of
handouts over tho woman's wrists, and
tearing her Undertaking into strips,
made it into gags which they applied.
Then she was ordered to remain quiet on
penalty of instant death if she dared to
move or attempt to make noise.
The men and their confcderates, to the
number, it is believed Of seven, then pro-
ceoded up stairs 20 the doors Of the sleep
ing apartments OF Mr.. Van Hovenberg
and family. The inmates were all asleep
The door leading into the apartment OF
MIR. and Mrs. Van Hovenberg was forced
open with chisel or bar. Mrs. Van
Hovenberg was the first to awaken, and
when she opened her eyes masked man
was standing over her, one hand tightly
clutchiug her throat, and holding in the
other a revolver which he pointed at her
head She pleaded for her life, and per-
feet security was promised to her ia the
event of her following instructions. She
looked about and saw another man, mask
ed as the other, with his hand on her
husbands throat. When Mr.. Van Hoven.
berg awoke he comprehended the situa-
ton at a glance, and shouted for help.
Instantly he was throttled and silenced
Then his limbs were tied together with
tarred rope, his wrists secured with hand
cuffs, and piece of muslin crammed into
his mouth.
When all the inmates of the building
had been thus disposed Of Mr.. Van
Hovenberg was ordered to get up, his
limbs having first been set free, hen iu
his night cloths he was ordered to accom-
paDy the robbers down stairs into the
banking room. "Do not kill him-he is
all have got,' pleaded his vile. "He
won't be hurt, only he must obey orders"
was the reply. Seven men accompanied
the bound man down stairs.
Two men we're left 20 take care of the
family. These men led the young ladies
into their parents room and placed them
in bed beside their mother, and then going
to the closet where the little boy had been
placed, they brought him out aud put him
alongside of them walked up and down
the hall and pcered out the front door.
The other, with an audacity that recalls
the achievements of Claude Duval, re.
clined upon lounge and entered into
conversation with the ladies'. On his
side the conversation was carried on with
politeness that indicated he was a well
bred robber. Mrs. Van Hovenberg ask
ed him what he and his confcderates in.
tended to do. "Well, you know our
objective are after money" said he with
nonchalance, "Can do anything to
make you more comfortable ?" he queried,
and then, proceeded to supply her with
pillows. Are you cold ?" he asked, and
liberal supply of quilts from the other
beds was furnished. Then this polite
rascal made tour Of the room, inspect.
ing pictures and helping himself to purse
of money. This is nice watch you
have here, but don't be alarmed, | won't
take it, nor will touch your jewelry but
| want your diamonds where are they 2"
81 have no diamonds" replied Mrs. Van
Hovenberg oh, you're not poor"
urged the fellow, with a smilc, "Yes, VIC
are poor" replied the lady.
The polite individual then left his com.
panion to take care of the ladies while he
proceeded to the basement. He soon re.
turned, accompanied by the servant.
Then without any ado he commenced to
tear up the sheets of the bed which the
ladies occupied. "Look here, what are
you tearing up my mothers nice sheets
for 2" asked Sarah Van Hovenberg "If
you want old rags can get you some"
1--WE usually help ourselves to what we
want" was the reply. With the strips
made Of the torn sheets the work OF
gagging Mrs. Van Hovenberg, her
uuuSutcrs anu inc servant was commenced.
In the meantime the little boy was lifted
out Of bed What are you tying US up
for, and what do you intend to do with
my little son ?" inquired Mrs. Van Hoven.
berg of the Chester6eldian burglar. ave
are doing what is necessary for our own
protection; nobody will be hurt" After
the gagging process had been completed
the room was deserted by the roboers,
who took the little boy with them. Thus
an hour-it seemed an age to the terrified
mother and her chiIdren-passed away,
IN THE BANK
Cashier Van Hovenberg was led into
the bank room. With horrible oaths and
imprecations upon his head if he disobey.
cd orders, he was commanded to unlock
the vaulf door Ha pratanJad - hou, |