Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-10-04
AxExrRAoRDxNARY ROBBERY:

Mr.. Samuel EOpeJ MEMBER OF the New
Jersey Legislature, is six feet in height,
and giant in strength. He lives in Broad
way, Patterson. His beautiful residence is
or Broadway Hill, about half mile from
the nearest house. Last Monday night, he
and his wife retired early. About II o'clock
Mr.. Pope was awakened by somebody
shaking him gently by the shoulder. Rub
bling his eyes, he saw five outlaws surround
Jog his bedside with cooked revolYers pointed
at his head. Two others stood by the win
dow. All were fashionably dressed, as could
be seen by the fght Of the lamp and of several
sperm candles which the gang held in their
hands. But their features were hidden un-
der masks, all black, with the exception Of
one, which vas white. The leader of the
party, in q gentlemanlY voice, told Mr..
Pope that he needn't be alarmed. All he
had TO do was TO remain quiet while the
gang were 10 work, and submit to their
manipulations, and he would be unframed.
Otherwise instant death awaited both him
and the wife beside him. Mr.. Pope signi-
fed his willingness to remain quiet.
The robbers then tied bis (Mr. Pope's)
hands behind his back, and also tied his
wife with q long piece of strong tarred
rope. He was then carried to a closet un-
der the stairway aud fastened therein. The
robbers returned and subjected Mrs. Pope
TO similar treatment. Her hands and feet
were securely tied, which operation was
performed with rigid regard TO the delicacy
due woman in diShabille. Both Mr.. and
Mrs. Pope coull see that the hands Of the
masqueraders were white and soft.
The burglars then proceeded with theS
object of their visit. They stationed two
at the window, and it was ascertsined by
their conversation that there were three
more outside keeping watch. There were
altogether about ten men. The five inside
who commenced TO gather up the yalus-
bles wore w0men's stockings over their
boots. Procuring the key of the safe from
Mr.. Pope'S pocket they opened il. Others
ransacked the bureaus and closets. They
scraped together nearly one thous
and dollars in money good
part of which was in specie, and TWO thou
sand dollars worth of watches, diamonds,
jewelry, Silyerware, etc, including hand
some set presented to Mr.. Pope while he
was in the Legislature. From the safe
they distracted $500 more Of railroad
bonds aud other valuable papers, including
a large lot of mortgages. Their search
AOi al AIlt HALT
which time Mr.. Pope was shivering in The
closet, although the thieves gave him q
blanket to keep himself warm, and Mrs. Pope
was shivering with fright in bed. When
ready to leave the thieves awoke Mr. Pope's
little adopted daughter, and took her down
stairs and placed her in the bed with Mrs.
Pope. The thieves handled her gently, and
told her no harm would happen TO her if
she remained quiet. They told her that
she must not unite MFR. and Mrs. Pope for
some time. After which they drove off in
their carriage.
No trace Of the thieves has been discoT-
cred. The only thing the authorities have
to work upon is the tarred rope aud stock
ings which they left behind. 1t Is certain
that the thieves are well acquainted with
Dir. Pope and his business, and that they
do not live many miles from Paterson.
The family watch dog was poisoned
few days ago, probably to get him
out Of the way of making an alarm. Mr..
Pope, on Monday morning, expected to re-
ceiye a cash payment of $4,000, but was
disappointed, and the burglars were dlsaP- I
pointed in not finding it 10 the safe. 1t is
the most audacious robbery ever commit
ted In Patterson. Mr.. Pope has stopped !
the payment of the stolen bonds.