The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-02
How a Gang of Masked Burglars Was
Repulsed by Brave Waterman
and His Faithful Dog.

An Oxford, N. J., correspondent of the
New York Herald writes as follows October
GA thrilling affair took place this morn
ing, shortly after o'clock, in the office OF the
Oxford Iron Company, which was entered by
gang of burglars during the temporary alb
sence of the night Waterman, William H.
Soaring, who had gone into the basement OF
the building, as was his custom, to see that all
was right. On returning to the office he was
startled to see crouching behind the safe a
human figure peering intently in his direction
through q mask, and apparently making
ready to spring upon him. 1t was an awful
moment. He was alone, and at once the
thought flashed across his mind that a gang
of burglars must be hidden around the office.
He determined to sell his life dearly If he
must, and drawing his revolver he discharged
it at the burglar next the safe, and gent ball
whistling through his heart. A stihed cry of
pain, and the thief, with bound, leaped from
his STOPPING posture and fell heavily on the
floor, never to rise again. His three compan-
ions, seeing the tragic occurrence, leaped
from their hiding places, their faces being
disguised by masks, and one OF them, draw
ing club, struck the brave watchman with
it and knocked him down.
Soaring struggled with them for dear life,
and twice again discharged his pistol. but
the desperadoes at length disarmed him and
got him completely in their power. Just as
they were about to place a pair of manaces
came bounding up the stairs, and seeing the
situation, leaped into the fray and fought
furiously for his master. The struggle was a
most desperate and sanguinary one; it was
life for life, and for nearly mortal hour it
lasted, the men and the dog Major rolling up
and do xn the office floor. The faithful dog
did noble service, sashipg about him with a
will, and giving the burglars no quarters,
until at length, feeling that they had sutti-
cient of his fangs, they fled in the most alb
ject terror, leaving behind them the dead
body of their miserable companion, lying In
his blood upon the floor.
As may we'll be supposed, the Waterman
and dog were fairly f4tigued, but fearful lest
another attack might be made before day
break, they stood on guard. The thieves did
not return, however. Later in the day, as
soon as the community were astir, an alarm
was given, and the route the thieves took was
traced by q heavy trail of blood, which one of
them, doubtless MORALLY wounded, marked In
making his escape. About half mile dis
tant an old suit of clothes was discovered be-
side pool of blood at the foot of tree,
where the bleeding burglar must have changed
his apparel
At the railroad valise was picked up con-
tanning complete set of burglars tools. The
watchman did not identify any of the ruffians,
nor can the face of the dead burglar be rec
ognzed, even by the detective who arrived
here this afternoon from New York for that
purpose The burglars effected an entrance
to the building through the presidents office.
Had they even succeeded in rihing the safe
they would not have secured any money worth
speaking Of, as the company generally take
the prelaution of securing the cash every
evening in some better protected place.