The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-05-19
Daring Robbery in West Virginia
..-A Mining superintendent
PIunllRPNtl Ol Al. 900.

- RNl~~S
Especial Dispatch to the Baltimore Americana
GRAFTON, May l6,-There occurred at
Newburg, West Virginia, on Friday
morning most daring robbery and at
tempt at murder. The victim was Mr..
Thomas Russell, gentleman well known
in Baltimore. Mr., Russell has for many
years been superintendent OF the mines Of
the Newburg Orrel Coal Company, situa.
ted in the immediate vicinity Of Newburg,
which is a station on the line Of the Bal
timore & Ohio Railroad, 267 miles from
Baltimore, and IL irom Grafton. Oliver
ODonncll, Esq, is President Of the Com
pany, and its office is at 81 Gay street,
Baltimore. The circumstances Of the
robbery are substantially as follows: On
! Thursday Mr.. Russell proceeded to Fair
mont and drew from a bank there over
$1,000 in grecnbacks and national bank
notes. On the same day he paid pOr.
ton Of the miners, Of whom there IL a
large force employed, and returned to his
residence in Newburg with n balance OF
81 800. The company's store Is situated
at Ncwburg, and Mr.. Russell having
charge of it, sleeps in the second story Of
the same building. On Thursday night
he closed the store rs usual and retired,
About o'clock Friday morning he was
awakened by a noise in his apartments
On opening his eyes he discovered two
men in the room, both Of whom wore
white masks, entirely concealing their
features, their eyes alone being visible
lie was about to raise himself up, when
one Of the robbers struck at him liCrcely
with hickory club Mr.. Russell threw
up his arm and wardcd of the murderous
blow from his head, at which the villain
aimed. lie next felt the iron grasp Of the
other robbcr on his throat, and the cold
muzzlc OF pistol in his ear. lie cried
out "FOr Gods sake, spare my life" al
the same time telling the robbers that EC
was entirely at their mercy, and there was
no necessity Of numbering him. One
seemed determined to kill him, and pro
posed that they should cut his throat.
They finally concluded, however, not &c
shed any blood, but bound and gagged
their victim. In Mr.. RuselPs mouth
they placed towel, with a double knot
in the centre, and tied his wrists together
50 tightly that the rope almost cut int
the flesh. In this condition they left him
taking with them the $1,000. Singular
to relate, they did not take his watch
saying they did not want it. Mr., Russell
bound and gagged as he was, was not res
cucd for several hours. Some one pass
ing noticed ladder up to the window
with the latter open, and thinking II look
ed suspicious he entered and discovered
Mr.. Russell's condition, Mr.. Russell
proceeded to Washington Friday morn
ing, and secured the services of Detective
McDcvitt to work up the case. Mr., Rus
sell went on to Baltimore, and Is ut pres
ent stopping at the house Of friend II
that city. His arm was very much bruis
ell and his wrists were somewhat cut. lii
nervous system was greatly shocked by
the affair and he was forced to consult {
physician. lie thinks there were fOul
men engaged in the robbery, ms he saw
one, besides the two in his bedroom, in NJ
adjoining room, and he heard the voice
Of another on the outside, evidently OF
guard. Before leaving Newburg he In
formed the authorities Of West Virgins
Of nc affair. Detective McDevitt was II
Baltimore on Saturday, but whether h
had any clue to the perpetrators OF tn
robbery Is not known.