Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-09-25
8nnSrillr M'eeklY Chronicle.
BURGLARS ON THE RAMPAGE.
Daring Robbery of "a store at Ebenez,

Daring Robbery of u store at Ebenezer
On Monday night the quiet neighborhood Of
Ebenezer, ten miles West of Knoxville, on the
East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad
was aroused by the preparation of most dar-
ing robbery, which for GOODNESS and deliberation
has rarely been equaled, evincing a sang
on the part of the thieves themselves, which
proclaimed them
EXPERTS IN THEIR PROFESSION.
r. A. and W. +. Sterling compose the firm
Of Sterling & Bro, at whose store the robbery
was committed. The store was closed and the
propretors had gone home to supper, when two
men came to the house and called for 'the store
keeper, "wheroupon Mr.. r. A. Sterling came out
and accompanied them to the store. They first
called for chewing tobacco which was furnished
and paid for, when they next wished to look at
some boots, which they examined and also
shoes. They were at length suited in size but
parleyed somewhat about the price.
GAINING TINE.
They then talked of their travels through East
Tennessee, remarking that they had often heard
OF 1t as hard place and that their experience
led them to believe it. They said they had been
travelling for some time and found it difficult to
obtain lodgings. They represented themselves
as from Georgia and stated that they were moul-
ders and had worked at Rockwood-they were
tain employment would go thence to Virginia.
After further conversation they asked Mr. Ster-
ling if he could accommodate them with lodgings
for the night. In the meantime w. F. Sterling
had come in, and the strangers were told if they
could put up with their Accommodations they
might remain and were invited to the house.
Mr.. X. A. Sterling then started from around
the counter towards the door, when one OF the
scoundrels remarked, Business is business
YOUR MONEY OR YOUR LIFE ~
AT this Mr.. r. A. Sterling turned around IA
eng the Villains, and was confronted with a
navy pistol leveled at his breast, and perceived
that one of the men had two pistols leveled at
his brother, The robbers proved to be armed
with four large navy pistols and small one
which they carried in their pockets.
COMMENCED A SEARCH.
One of them then lit candle while the other
guarded the victim, and they proceeded to sat-
isfy themselves that the Sterlfngs were unarm-
ed. Upon ascertaining that they were not one
OF them went to the drawer of desk where the
cash was kept and emptied it of its contents OBJ
tanning about 65 or 20 dollars in money. They
took pair of boots EACH vest several pairs of
socks and a brass watch-stem-w inder-with
glass case over the works.
A FRESH VICTIM,
made his appearance about this time in the per-
son OF our fellow townsman John F. Price who
is building house on his farm near Ebenezer.
He went to the store thinking to purchase some
bacon. Arriving there, he saw the door was
yersation inside he went back and knocked
The door was partially opened by one of the
men, who when he saw Mr.. Price, presented
cooked pistol at him. Mr.. P. pushed the door
one foot in when he was told to stop and "con-
slider himself in arrest" Still he though some
one was practing hoax on him and continued
to advance until passing the robbers he came in
view of the Sterlings, who were standing with
folded hands and countenances that revealed
the true state of affairs. Mr.. Price then, with
wo navies at his breast
ACCEPTED THE SITUATION,
And wheeled into line with the other two vic
tins. He was then asked if he was armed and
answered in the negative. The next question
was, have you any money! to which he re-
piled in the affirmative and was informed that
they, wanted it. One of them started to run his
hand into his pockets but Mr.. 2. saved him of
the trouble. and yielding to their polite de.
nands, handed out his pocket book, containing
S34. They took the money and Mr.. Z. kept the
pocket-book. They then asked him how he
happened to stop in there, when he informed
them OF his business. One of them very coolly
remarked, 1T is very unfortunate for YOU that
you stopped, my friend.
TAKING LEAVE.
Then then stepped backwards towards the
door, still. holding on to their pistols, and point
ing the muzzles at their victims They stood
still for several moments, no one speaking,
when one of them who seemed TO be the leader,
remarked, I'VE must go, and if you leave this
mouse under four hours you do so at your peril.
We have accomplices who attend to that part of
the business" They then took the key TO the
door and going out locked it on the outside
leaving the two Sterlings and Mr. Price in
SIDE, to mediate on the chsractar of their late
acquaintance, and help Themselves as best they
might.
They however did not remain inside four
hours as directed, but got out as soon as posi-
BILE, but too late TO obtain any trace as to which
way their nocturnal visitors had travelled.
HEARD FROM.
About II O'Clock on Monday night two men
called at the home of Mr.. Parsons, about three
or four mile from Ebenezer, and asked for some
water. 1t is supposed they were the same men
who committed the dearing robbery.
One of them is represented as being a large,
coarse, dark skinned man. with black beard very
thin on his face, black hair about feet 10
inches high and probably about 80 or IS years Of
age
The other is represented as being a small mani
weighing, perhaps, 100 pounds, fair complex
ION, sandy hair smooth face and upper front
teeth somewhat decayed.
This is the most daring robbery that we have
heard of in this country for quarter of a CEN
tury and the cool, deliberate manner in which
i was done shows that the villains are ''up to
their trade and have practiced it before.
Parties were in pursuit of them yesterday and
we would take pleasure in announcing their
capture and punishment. We have obtained
these details from the gentlemen who were
robbed.
We also learn from other sources that they
gave Mr.. Price one dollar to pay his fare TO
Knoxville on the railroad, and also returned TO
the Sterngs few dollars in silver which they
had probably had on hand for some time, and
remarked that thew scorned 70 do a mean, dis