The New York herald., 1872-11-17
VILLANY MOST VILE.
A Whole Family Tortured by q
Party Of Burglars.
Bound, Gagged and Ironed-Money Extortsd by
Threats Of Death-The House Set on Fire and
One Of the Inmates Dreadfully Burned
No Clue to the villains-Tsrrible
Excitement in the Oil Regions

PiTrsBuRG, Pa, Nov 10, 1872.
Titusvle-in the Oil regions-is In state or
great excitement to-day over most 'aring rob-
berry which was perpetrated there last night. While
the family OF John Watson residing on the hill op-
| posite the old Hinkly refinery, at supper a
party OF men, numbering five, entered the house,
and approaching MI Watson with pistols in hand
and masks on their faces, demanded
his money. They cautioned the family
not to make the least noise, telling them
that IL was their money they wanted, and that all
must submit 10 be bound and gagged aud that If
they made the least resistance they would call in
the balance Of the gang, who were guarding the
entrance outside. They proceeded to handcur the
family, applying leg-irOns to the men-John Wat
son and Archibald Stewart-the latter the son-in-
law OF the former, ut the same time gagging them
and then tying the entire family together. They
next ordered Watson to open his safe. The latter
replied, ''My money is all in Warren, deposited
with my brother" They replied. ''we know whom
YOU refer to, but your money is IN the house, and
we must have it," Watson thereupon, with the
muZzc ol'a huge revolver
PLACED AGAINST HIS EAR,
opened the safe and something like two thousand
dollars were distracted. Alter the sale had been
robbed the family were tied ia a long row and COM
PEELED to follow the thieves down in the cellar then
up through every room in the house, and, at the
peril OF then lives, information as to where valua-
bes were Kept was demanded and given.
After thorough search the family were
conducted back to the dining room. Mrs.
Watson, Susan Stewart and Archibald stewart
were placed ON lounge, blindfoled, ironed and
gagged and tied to the stove in such manner that
II they moved the stove would tip upon the IN.
The fends then LETT the house, having remained
about an hour ana half, while the balance-nine
in ail-wcrc standing watch on the outside. In
the hurry 20 depart the lighted lamp upset
and
TaE HOUSE ser OK FIRE.
The robbers then returned, and, taking clothes
lrom the waidro5es, threw them on the burning
portion OF the dwelling, ana with the utmost dim.
Guilty succeeded in eytincuishing the flames. MIR
Watson was severely burned but The robbers made
no cnde&vor 70 pull him from the danes. james
Stewart m mber OF the family, arrived home after
midnight and found the family in sorry plight. The
irons on Watson cat hi,i INTO the bone, aAd he was
bleeding proIuscly. Those on the other members
OF the family were also very painful and were taken
OFF only by scvcring them VITA a file The
thieves had hanacu0s 'or every member OF the
house aud 'iler pockets iiled With handkerchiers.
They had also plentiful supply OF leg irons. The
police were notified and at three o'clock this MORN
ing all The hotels in tie place were seaschcd and
the town secured, but 10 arrests have so FAR been
made. The Villains have c.lieriivclY done their
work ne to give no clue to their whereabouts.
The greatest exc temcnt exists in tile oil
region over t.is dcvisi outrage. 1t - very evi-
dent ;llat The = 'rty We're aware that Watson had
money IN his mousse he had neglected to deposit
IL sum the exact amount Of whca he does not
know. None OF rhe iaply were severely injured
but Mr. stewart, who's, eet aud hands are dread
fully burned Dy Che upsetiing OF lamp.