Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-10-24
More Masked Robbers.

The Pittsburgh Chronicle gives the
following account of daylight rob-
berry by masked men, which occurred
in Beaver county, Pa, recently:
ga farmhouse between Hookstown
and Frankfort Springs, Beaver county,
is occupied by two bachelor brothers,
John and Samuel Mcguire, who have
for years been living alone, and have
been largely engaged in the wool bust
ness. 1t was known that they had ac-
cumulated a vast stock of wool, variously
estimated at from $4,000 to $4,000.
They were also known to have a con-
siderable amount of money, rumors
having been current among their neigh
bors that they had secreted about their
house vast sums in gold and silver.
Samuel, who is sixty-nine years of
age, was in the house alone. About
three o'clock in the afternoon four rob-
bers appeared. They first bound
Samuel, and then demanded to be in
formed where his money was secreted.
He refused to tell, and they threatened
to kill him if he did not divulge i'm
mediately. Being unable to call for
assistance, he told them where small
sum was secreted, but they were not
satisfied by any means, and again re-
turned to the victim. He assured them
that he knew nothing of any other
money, and his persistence in protest
ing his ignorance seemed to be believed
by the robbers. They put the victim
on bed, and then proceeded to search
the premises. About half-past four
o'clock John, who is sixty-nine years OF
age, and who had been to the post
Office, returned home. AS soon as he
entered the house he was seized, but
he made such vigorous resistance that
one of the scoundrels struck him on
the head with hatchet. The blow
rendered further resistance impossible,
and be was bound and laid on the same
bed with his brother. He was interro-
gated about the money, but would not
tell until he felt convinced he would be
killed if he did not impart the desired
information. The money, as stated,
had been buried in the cellar in 1861,
and an old barrel he'd been placed over
the spot. There was originally about
$2,700 in gold, but at various times
money had been taken from the store,
and it was supposed there was fully
So, 900 remaining. The robbers rs
NAMED until evening, having made
ample arrangements for getting away
with their plumber. They had only
gone a short distance when they found
that John had released himself. They
then returned to the house. sgain tied
him, and placed him in bed by him.
self. About nine o'clock John again
obtained his freedom, and started al
once to neighbours house, about g
mile distant, when he gave information
of the outrage.
"It appears that the brothers have
been accommodating wool for twelve OF
fourteen years. One day recently g
man called upon them and represented
that he was buying wool, and offered
to take their entire stock. They wanted
$1.25 per pound, but he refused to pay
that sum and left. He was walking,
and this fact made them suspicious.
The circumstances, however, had been
forgotten until they were recalled by
one of the thieves remarking :'Will
you take less than $1.25 pound for
your wool now?' The news of the rob-
berry has created intense excitement,
and persons living in the locality are
making every effort to obtain some clue
| to the thieves"