Connecticut western news., 1872-11-22
A Whole Family Tortured bv a Par
 tY of RurRl@rs.

! P1TTsBuRa, PA, Nov. 1s.-Titusville- | in the oil regions-continues to be in a i state of great excitement over a most dar- ] ing robbery which was perpetarated there
 Friday night. While the family of John
 Watson, residing on the hill opposite the
 old Hinkley refinery, were at supper, par.
 ty of men, numbering five, entered the
 house, and approaching Mr. Watson with
 pistols in hand and masks upon their faces,
 demanded his money. They cautioned the
 family not to make the least noise, telling
 them it was their money they wanted, and
 that all must be bound and gagged, and that if they made the least residence they
 would call in the balance of the gang, who
 were guarding the entrance outside. They
 proceeded to handcuf the family, apply
 ing leg-irons to the men-John Watson and
 Archibald Stewsrt-the latter the son-ln :
 law of the former, at the same time gag
 ging them, and then tying the entire fam
 fly 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 10, but your money is in the house and we must have it." Watson,
 thereupon, with the muzzle of huge re- volver placed against his ear, opened the safe and something like two thousand dol lars were abstracted. After the safe had been robbed the family were tied in long row and compelled to follow the theives 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 were demanded and given. Af- ter thorough search the family were con- ducted back to the dining room. Mrs.
 Watson, Susan Stewart and Archibald Stewart were placed on a lounge. blind folded, bound and gagged, and tied to the stove in such a manner that if they moved the stove would tip over upon them. The fends then left the house, having remained about an hour and a half, while the balance nine in all-were standing watch on the outside. In the hurry to depart, the light ed lamp was upset and the house set on fire. The robbers then returned. and. talk ing clothes from the wardrobes, threw them on the burning portion of the dwelling, and with the utmost difficulty succeeded in ex. tinguishing the flames. MT. Watson was severely burned, but the robbers made no endeavor to pull him from the flames. James Stewart, member of the family, arrived home after midnight and found the family in sorry plight. The irons on Watson cut him into the bone and he was bleeding profusely. Those on the other members of the family were also very pain ful, and were taken off by severing them with a file. The theives had handcuffs for every member of the house and their pock- cts filled with handkerchiefs. They also had plentiful supply of leg irons. The police were, notified and at three 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 so effectually done their work as to give no clue to their whereabouts. The greatest excitement exists in the oil re- gions over this devilish outrage. It is very evident that the party were aware that Watson had money in his house, as he had neglected to deposit 8 sum the exact amount of which he does not know. None of the family were severely injured but MT. Stewart, whose feet and hands are dread fully burned by upsetting of the lamp Hart ford Post.