The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-19
CHARLEY ROSS
The Abductors of the Missing
Boy Shot Dead at Bay
Ridge, Long Island.
\ BURGLARS DYING CONFESSION
How the New York and Philadelphia
Detectives Obtained a Clew.
WHERE IS THE CHILD ?
From the New York World. Dec. Is.

apparently CleW HAS pceu at last uls
covered to the abductors of Charlie Ross
Two burglars, named William Mosher ant
Joseph Douglas, were shot and killed yes
terday morning while leaving countr.
house at Bay Ridge, occupied in the sum
mer by Judge Van Brunt of this city
Just before dying Douglas charged Mosh
er with being the abductor ofCharles Ross
Judge Van Brunt summer house is clos,
to the shore road at Bay Ridge, som,
three quarters of mile below the ferry
docks. During the fall and winter months
Judge Van Brunt closes up the house ant
the servants are sent back to his residence
in this city, the house being looked atte
by his brother Holmes and family. Witt
view Of atfordiug better protection ant
safety to the property left in the uuoccu
pied house, burglar alarm was fixed
which communicated with the house occu
pied by Holmes Van Brunt In appear
ance the house is modest summer-house
and presents no outward appearance o.
great wealth. 1t is square white build
ing, with porch in front and one in the
rear. Since Judge Van Brunt has left the
house, William Scott, a man employed tt
do odd work. has acted as watchmar
during the day, but he resided in the ad
Joining house with Holmes Van Brunt.-
Last evening at dusk everything appeared
to be quiet, and all residing in Holmes Var
Brunts house retired to rest. The inma
tes of Holmes Van Brunt's house consist.
ed of himself, his son Albert, his daugh
ter and Scott, the watchman employed tc
look after the Judges house, Herman
Frank, laborer employed around the
buildings, and two servant girls.
THE ALARM AND THE FIGHT.
Shortly after clock yesterday morning
Mr.. Van Brunt, who had been unwell tol
the past ten days, was startled at hearing
the sounding of the burglar alarm, lie, tc
allay his nervousness, called to his daugh
| ter, who slept in the next room, and re
| quested her to tell his son Albert to come
| to him. On Albert's arrival his fathel
| told him what he had heard, but at tha
| time not thinking there was any partic
ular cause for alarm, requested him to g
over the house and ascertain il any one ha(
effected an entrance into it, Young Val
Brunt called up Scott, and cautiously com
menced a search over the house, but NJ
trace of any burglars could be discovered
and, on his returning, attention was drawn
to the unoccupied house Of the Judge
Shading the light of the lamp, the tathe
and sou cautiously looked through the win
dow blinds, at the unoccupied house, anC
there they saw distinctly feeble ligh,
Pickering throught one of the rooms of the
Judges residence and two men moving
about. There was but little time for ac-
ton, as it was plain burglars had effected
an entrance TOR the purpose OF ransacklng
the house. The men in Holmes Van
Brunts were quickly but quietly gathered
together, all being well armed with guns
aud revolvers in case of any serious con
hict taking place between them and the
burglars. The elder Van Brunt said he
was determined not to let the men escape
it possible, and called upon his son and the
two farm assistants to follow him and act
under his instructions. Having left their
own house thus armed, they surrounded
the house of the Judge, Albert Van Brunt
and Scott keeping guard in the front of the
house, and his father and Herman Frank
stationing themselves at the rear of the
house, about Is PAGES from the cellar door,
where they supposed the person or persons
inside the house had entered, They wait
ed thus for about half an hour, when Mr..
Holmes Van Brunt becoming tired of the
delay, told Frank to make some alarm
which would signify to those inside that
they were watched. Frank accordingly ad-
vanced to the back door and ratified the
knob. The noise produced the desired ef-
feet. The lights were Immediately ly exiting
uished and the house was wrapped in dark
ness. A moment after.the watchers at the
back of the house perceived that the cellar
door was raised slightly, and caught a
glimpse of two heads cautiously emerging.
The burglars evidently were well satisfied
that they had some unknown friends to
deal with, and nothing daunted prepared
themselves quickly for an atfray. Then
they started for the trap OF the cellar for
the purpose Of beating retreat, but the
watchers, who had been able to understand
their movements through the inside light
had posted themselves at the entrance Of
the cellar. STAND y shouted Mr.. Van
Brunt, Two pistol shots instantly answer
ed the summons. The burglars had pre-
pared themselves for attack. Fortunately
neither shot took effect Mr.. Van Brunt's
weapon spoke aud one of the men received
the charge of shot in his body, He gave
cry of pain and grasped the cellar door for
suppIrt. His companion started On run
towards the gate He was called upon to
stand. His reply was another pistol shot,
Mr.. Van Brunt and Scott sent the CON
tents Of their weapons in his retreatlDg di-
rection Meanwhile, the man who had
been shot first had managed to get away
from the cellar and run. The second man
had reached the gate when he encountered
Albert Van Brunt. who called out to him
To Stand. The burglar fired once at his
lnterccpter. For the third time bis ball
missed. H. was about TO fire again, when
the young man raised his gun and brought
the stock of it down on bis leveled arm.
The blow was struck with such force that
the stock of the barrel was broken, and
the man writhed in dreadful pain. With
an oath he turned quickly upon young
' an Brunt, as il TO engage in hand and
hand contest, but Van Brunt instantly
drew his revolver and discharged two sue
eessiye shots in the breast aud lower part
Of the body of the man. With wonderful
pluck he still enaeavored 10 maintain the
tight, and exclaimed. 'lou--, | will die
game, but almost Immediately after he
rell on the hard ground dead. His body
fell just opposite the gate leading to the
house he had entered The man who re-
seived the first shot had managed during
this confusion 10 the dark to crawl some
few yards from the house but, owing TO
his mortal injuries. he had also to succumb,
aud fell down in great agony
THE CONFESSION.
While be laid upon the ground in ex-
irene pain, he asked for drink. and said
be would ike to see a spiritual adviser.
None were at hand, however. and he, being
told that be could not see one, volunteered