Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-10-22
BANK KOBBERY AT MILFORD. N. H.

One of the boldest bank robberies on record
was perpetrated in Milford, Monday night
the cashier of the Soubegan National Bank
being f0reibly taken from his home by band
of masked robbers, and forced to open the
vault and deliver up its contents. The bank
10 situated nearly in the centre of the town,
and is located in a brick building built ex-
pressly for its use. In lite immediate vicinity
are stores and other places of business, while
on the street are a number of residences.
The cashier, Mr.. Frederick T. Sawyer re-
sides about quarter of a mile from the bank,
and the first intmation he had of the affair
was soon after midnight, when he was sudden
~ awakened by the appearance of number
of masked men in the room, who presented
revolvers at both him and his wife, and warn
ed them that death would be the penalty if
any outcry was made.
The robbers then proceeded to handcuff Mr.
Sawyer and his wife, and placed the latter.
together with two yonng boys, in closet,
which was securely fastened One Of the
robbers suggested they would suffocate in the
closet, whereup0n another of the party bored
holes through the door to admit air. at the
same time cautioning the prisoners against
making any noise. A third son of Mr.. Saw
yer was likewise confined in the closet, and
to make matters sure the robbers gagged the
four inmates. The next move was to gag a
young daughter of Mr.. Sawyer, whom they
left in charge of a young babe in room ad-
joining the one occupied by Mr.. Sawyer
and his wife. The next room visited was one
in which servant girl slept, and here Sc
we're scuffle ensued the girl making desperate
resistance, though she was finally overpowered
and gagged.
Mr.. Sawyer has long been ia the habit Of
leaving the keys of the bank in the possess
ion OF the postmaster OF the town, whose
office is about quarter of a mile from the
residence of Mr.. Sawyer. This precautlon
was taken by the latter in order to guard
against such scheme as the robbers were
then pursuing. The parties engaged seemed
to be well aware of the disposition of the
keys, and after placing cord around Mr..
Sswyer's neck to prevent any cutlery. they
forced him to accompany them by threatening
to kill his babe in case he refused TO comply
with their demands. Arriving Mt the post
office the robbers effected an entrance by re-
moving pane Of glass with a diamond, and
the keys of the bank were soon in their pos
session. Mr.. Sawyer having tod .st where
they could be found in order to avoid any
deed OF violence which the robbers were de-
termined upon unless he acquesced in their
desires. The work of opening the vault and
securing its contents occupied but few min
utes, ana only short time had elapsed after
leaving Mr.. Sawyer's house when the robbers
had in their possession nearly 10000.
After the job had been completed Mr.. Saw
yer was led back to the house, and after plac-
ing bands of wood across his body and screw
ing them to the floor, the robbers disappeared
as mysteriously as they came.
As nearly as Mr.. Sawyer can calculate it
must have been about three o'clock when
the men left his house, and his family
would have had to remain securely fastened
10 all probability for several hours. had not
one Of his sons succeeded in bursting open the
door of the closet and releasing his father
who in turn released the other members Of
the family.
Near the house of Mr.. Sawyer resides a
butcher, who. with some of bis employees, was
at work between three and four o'clock that
morning. The fact of the daring robbery was
at once communicated to them, and in a shoit
time the entire town was aroused and vigor-
Gus efforts were made to capture some of the