The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1874-12-25
CHAa.EY ROSS AVENGED.
Startling Sequel to the Philadel-
phia Abduction.
The Alleged Abductors Shot Down
While Attempting to Commit Bur-
gIary-One COnfesses to Abducting
Charley Ross.
from the New York Tribune ]


On Sunday night at about 9 o'clock
two rough-looking men stepped into
Winant's Hotel at Bay Ridge, little
village on Long Island, and called for
liquor. They came ashore from small
black sloop, and after drinking several
times, left the hotel. The elder was a
man of about five feet six inches in
height, with light hair, light side whisk-
ers and mustache. This was William
Mosier, a bold river thief, we'll known
to the police of this city. HIS eompan
ion was also a thief, man about the
same height as himself, with red hair
and a luxuriant red mustache. This
man was known to the police as Joseph
Douglass. He appeared to be about %
years of age, while Mosier seemed to be
at least 45. Their appearance attracted
no attention, and although while at the
hotel they conversed ifss subdued tones
there was nothing in their manner which
aroused suspicion. While drinking they
seemed in the best of humor. "Here's
luck ~ said the elder of the two, and
his companion answered, "Here's that
we may have it." These were the last
words that they uttered at the hotel.
About mile from Fort Hamilton
stands the modest-looking summer resi-
dence of Judge Van Brunt, of the New
York Court of Common Pleas. The
house is not occupied during the winter.
Adjoining it is the residence of Holmes
Van Brunt, brother of the Judge, and
glar alarm. On Saturday night, Mr.
Van Brunt and his son William were at
home. At about o'clock yesterday
morning, Mr.. Van Brunt was aroused
from slumber by the sound of the bur-
glar alarm. He Immediately called for
his son, and the young man, upon being
informed of what had taken place, rush
ed 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 in
vestigations, he ran back to his fathers
house and informed him that burglars
were at work in the Judges residence.
Mr.. Van Brunt, although suffering sew
erely from an attack of rheumatism,
sprang from his bed, dressed very hasti-
", and seized double-barreled shot
gun. In the meantime his son called at
the house of two of his fathers employ
ees, William Scott and Herman Frank,
and acquainted them with fact that
Judge Van Brunt's house was being
robbed. In very few minutes Holmes
Van Brunt, his son, and the hired men
were on their way to the Judges house.
They proceeded carefully, and upon ar
irving at the mansion stationed them
selves where they could shoot the bur-
glars 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 requested his son to go around
and open the back door. The son obey
ed, but the moment he 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 the cellar. "Stop and
surrender or I'll shoot" shouted Mr.
| Van Burnt. His answer was two pistol
shots. Taking quick aim at the nearest
man, Mr.. Van Brunt fired. The fellow
shrieked from pain and ran off. His
companion was by his side, and had pro-
ceeded only short distance before he
received shot from Mr.. Van Brunt's
son. The man who received the first
shot continued his flight through the
yard until he came within range of Her
man Franks folwing piece. As he did
SO he was shot in the back, and fell.
The other fellow driven to desperation,
turned upon young Van Brunt, pistol
in hand, and aiming at his heart fired.
He missed his aim. "Stand, or I'll kill
you," shouted the young man, but the
burglar leveled his pistol again. Mr..
Van Brunt grasped his gun by the
stock, and sturck the burglar terrible
blow upon the arm. The stock flew of,
and the plucky young fellow drew re-
volver and fired twice at the thief, while
the ruffian was aiming at his head. The
man fell with the words, "I'm through"
upon his lips. In few moments he was
dead.
His companion fell about Is yards
from the house, and was writhing in
his side. This was Joseph Douglass
his dead companion was William Mosier
Douglass was in excruciating agony
when Mr.. Van Brunt asked him if he
had anything to say. From his abdo-
men the entrails protruded, and his
right side presented hideous appear.
ance. His first cry was for liquor. "Fol
the love of God" he moaned, "give me
a drink of whisky, quick, quick. quick
The liquor was brought him, but al
soon as he touched it with his lips hi
pushed it away, and cried for water. HI
rolled upon the wet ground and placed
his hands upon his CHASTITY wounds, as i
to stop the flow of blood which gathered
in pools around him. He lay ther,
slowly dying, but clinging to life unit
the end. 1t was two hours and n half be
fore he died.
Mr.. Van Brnnt is a man about s.
years of age, noted in his neighborhoo'
for strength and courage. His son is
> modest young man of %. The old gen
;, tleman told the tragedy as follows : ="
heard the alarm bell this morning abou
2 clock, and sent for my son imme
:. diately. He took a lantern and ran ov
er to the Judges house, where he saw
light. Soon afterward he came bac
considerably excited, and said ther
: were burglars around. dressed mysel