New-York tribune., 1874-12-15
A RATTLE WITH BURGLARS.

TWO RIVER THIEVES ATTEMPT TO ROB JUD"E VAN
BRUNT's COUNTRY RESIDENCE AT BAY RIDGE
A BURGLAR-ALARM BETRAYs THEM AND TTEY
ARE SHOT By THE JUDGES BROTHER AND
NRPHRw-THE SIEGE AND VICTORY.
On Sunday night at about o'clock two rongh-
looking men stepped into Winants Hotel at Bay
Ridge, little village on Long Island, and called for
liduor They came ashore from small black sloop'
and after drinking several times, left the hotel
The elder was man about feet inches IN hight
with light hair, light side whiskers and mustache.
This was William Mosier, bold river thief, well
known to the police of this city. His companion
was also thief, man about the same hight a. MN
self. with red hair and luxuriant red mustache.
This man was known to the police as Joseph Doug
lass He appeared to be about 2S years OF age while
Moser seemed to be at least A. Their appearance
attracted no attention, and although while at the
hotel they conversed in subdued tones, there was
nothing in their manner which aroused suspicion.
While drinking they seemed in the best of humor.
Here's Iuckp said the elder of the two, and his
companion answered, " Here's that may have it."
These were the last words that they uttered at the
hotel.
About mile from Fort Hamilton stands tho
modest looking Summer residence Of Judge Van
Brunt Of the New-York Court of Common Pleas.
The house is not occupied during the Winter Ad-
Joining it is the residence Of Holmes Van Brunt,
brother of the Judge and the two houses are con-
nected by a burglar-alam. On Sunday night, MT.
Van Brunt and his son William were at home. AT
about o'clock yesterday morning Mr.. van Brunt
was aroused from sumber by the sound OF the Dur
glar- alarm. He Immediately called for his son, and
the young man, upon being informed OF what had
taken place, rushed out of the house.
armed with pistol, and ran over to
the Judges residence. Upon approaching
the house he saw lights moving about from room to
room. Without stopping to make further investl-
cations he ran back to his fathers house and 10
formed him that burglars were at work N tho
Judges residence. Mr.. Van Brunt, although suffer-
ing severely from an attack of rheumatism, spranG
from his bed, dressed hastily. aud seized
double-barreled shotgun. In the mean
| time his con called at the house OF two
of his fathers employees, William Scott and Herman
! Frank and acquainted them with the fact thas
| Judge Van Brunts house being robbed. In
very few minutes Holmes Van Brunt, his and the
hired men were on their way 10 the Judges house,
They proceeded carefully, and upon arriving at tie
mansion stationed themselves where they could
shoot the burglars the moment they left the house,
For nearly an hour they stood there watching
the burglars as they moved from room to room.
Finally Mr. Van Brunt son to go around
and open the back door. The son obeyed bat the
moment be opened the door the burglars blew out
their lights. They knew for the first time that they
were in danger. Presently footsteps on the stairs
were heard, and then two men emerged from Tue
cellar "Stop and surrender or I'll shoot" shouted
Mr. Van Br1lnt. His answer two pistol shots
Taking quick aim at the nearest man, Mr. Van Brunt
fired. The fellow shrieked from pain and ran of.
His companion was by bis side, and had proceeded
only short distance before he received shot
from Mr. Van Brunts son. The man who received
the first shot continued his flight through the yard
until he came within range of Herman Franks
fowling-piece. AS he did SO he was shot IN the
back, and fell The other fellow, driven to
desperation. turned upon young Van Brunt pisto
in hand, and aiming at his heart fired. lie missed
his aim stand or III kill YOU" GhOuted the young
man. but the burglar level9d his pistol again. Mr.
Van Brunt grasped his gun by the stock and struck
the burglar @ terrible blow upon tbe arm. The
stock flew off and the plucky young fellow drew
revolver and fired twice at the thief, while the ruff
fan was aiming at his head. The man fell with the
words Pm through upon his lips. In a few mo-
ments he was dead.
His companion fell about Is yards from the house,
and was writhng in agony when Mr.. Van Brnnt
stepped to his side. This was Joseph Douglass his
dead companion was William Mosier. Douglass was
in excruciating agony when MIR. Van Brunt ASKED
HIM if he had anything to say. From his abdomen
the entrals protruded and bis right side presented
for liquor. "For the love of God" he moaned.
{" give me drink of whisky, quick, quick, quick"
The liquor was brought him. but as soon as ha
touched it with his lips he pushed it away and cEet
for water. He rolled upon the wet ground and
placed his hands upon his CHASTITY wounds as II To
stop the flow Of blood which gathered in pools
around him. He lay there slowly dying but ching
ing to life until the end. 1t was two hours and q
half before he died.
Mr.. Van Brunt is man about 50 years Of aga
noted in his neighborhood for strength and courage.
His son is modest young man Of IS. The old gen.
tleman told the story Of the tragedy as follows: Il
heard the alarm bell this morning at about o'clock,
and sent for my son Immediately. He took Lam
tern and ran over to the Judges house. where he
saw light Soon afterward he came back consid-
erably excited, and said there were bur-
glars around. I dressed myself and got
gun. Then my son, and couple of the hired
men. with myself went over to the Judges house.
Wa saw light in It, and told my son to 60 In.
Hs was little nervous, and thought We would
better wait outside, and we did for an hour.
cot tired there. and took look in the house and
saw two men. went back and told my
SON we had got to go for them.
I requested him to open the back
door and he did. Then We heard the burglars COM
ing down stairs. They went down in the cellar and
came out through the cellar door. As they did,
shouted. Stand. or I'll fire. They fired two shots.
and then shot the man nearest to me. Then gave
1t to his companion. and he yelled. They both got
sway little space befoae tAey dropped. The young
maa died at about half-pas o'clock"
By order Of Coroner Joaes tho bodies were re-
moved TO ths Aorgus In Brooklyn. Moser was
hat kxvfNa fhrur rUhf fha haa au.l