Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1874-02-26
Vcsg Randolph.

WcsG Randolph.
BURGLARY AT WEST RANDOLPH
About 3 o'clock last Sunday morning,
our usually quiet village was the scene
of the most intense excitement caused
by a burglary being committed at the
store of A. W. Tewksbury &c Sons,
which for bold recklessness has few
parellels in the records of crime. The
hour chosen by the burglars, was most
unfortunate for them, and was the
means of saving our village from a
most terrible confagaration. They
had carefully examined the location,
and we'll laid out their work, and why
it was so bunglingly terminated, seems
mysterious. The enterance to the
store was effected without discovery,
the door to the safe successfully drilled
and charged with powder, and every
thing made ready for the consumma-
ton of their intentions, without Great
ing alarm. Just before the night ex-
press north was due, the match was
applied, and terrific explosion follow
ed. Persons waiting to take the train
at the depot, rushed out and gave the
alarm. Sheriff Bass and a goodly
number Of our citizens were promptly
on the spot, and rendered efficient aid
in subduing the fire which had got
well under way, and but for this time
ly discovery, must have destroyed the
business portion Of our village. Upon
first notice Of discovery, the robbers
fled, leaving behind portion Of their
tools, and not succeeding in securing
any of the treasure contained in the
safe. The loss resulting from
the explosion, which demolished the
door of the safe, and from the fire
which resulted, will be considerable
A heavy reward was at once offered
by Messrs. Tewksbury and Sheriff
Bass, and as soon as light, lively work
was commenced which resulted in the
capture of one of the burglars, and
the discovery Of a portion of their i'm
Elements. This man followed the r..
r. track north for about two miles,
then left, crossing the highway into a
small clump Of trees, where he was
discovered by J, L. Morse and Willis
Morton. He gave his name as Allen,
said he lived in Hartford, Conn. de-
MED having any baggage, and could
hardly account for his existence, any
where, much less about here. Follow
ing his track back u little distance,
his valise was found secreted, contain
ing some few articles of wearing APP
parel, some cold meat, etc, but moth
ing particularly suspicious or danger
Gus. Further search discovered hid
den away among the rocks, a bundle
of fuse, two cannisters of powder,
bundle of powder done up in a cloth,
a wax candle Of peculiar construction,
warranted to burn eight hours tho'
but one inch long,) tin case con-
tanning a peculiarly constructed tun-
mel, very suggestive Of the use for
which it was intended, a quantity of
punches, (very heavy and very hard,)
and lot Of other tools that no honest
man would naturally find use for in
Vermont. On the mans person was
found several knives, new ones,
quantity ofjewelry, package Of hard
biscuit, and large number Of keys of
peculiar make. He has from the first
preserved a logged silence, and at the
trial yesterday (Monday) desired no
counsel, and seemed to look upon the
whole proceeding with supreme con-
tempt. He appears to be about forty
years of age, is about 5 feet 7 inches
high, and will weigh about 14Oibs.,
wears sandy mustache and though
evidently rough character, is not
unprepossessing in his appearance
He was held to bail in the sum of
$4,000, and in default of which, was
yesterday lodged in Jail at Chelsea.
The examination was held in the Man
sion House hall, 500 people at least
being present. The hearing was be-
fore Justice Tilton; complaint being
made by Town Grand Juror, Hon.
John Wait. LOCAL EDITOR.