Middletown transcript., 1876-08-12
A Reign Of Terror.
Shocking Outrage by Tramps In Mecha
ic6Ville. N. y.

| 1cbvhlle, NJ H
The tramp question is assuming
serious aspect in this section of New
York State A small army of tramp.
is marching through Saratoga county,
and wherever squad appears some se-
rious crime is certain to follow. Al
least. that has been the experience ol
the past fortnight. Burglaries are Of
almost nightly occurrence, incendiary
fires are frequent, and other outrages
have been committed. The appear
ances are that the tramps are organized
for criminal purposes The villages Of
ConkIingville, BatchelIersville, Water
ford, Sehuylerville, and even Ballston
Spa, the county seat. and Saratoga
Springs have been visited BY tramps
during the past week On the I'd uit.
a gang appeared in Conklingville Be-
coming impudent, and even violent in
their demands on the populace, they
were driven out Of the place. The next
night Jenkins wooden ware factory was
burned to the ground. The loss to the
propristoris is $35, 900. A similar out
rage was committed in Batchellersville
on Thursday night During thss1ty
number oftramps had been treated as
those had been at the former village
At night De Grotia's washboard factory
was discovered to be on fire, and it was
totally consumed; loss $40. .000 By
each ofthese fires several families are
thrown out Of employment.
One day week before last eight tramps
waylaid two young girls on the highway
near Ballston Spa, and outraged them.
One of the girls has since died. No
clue to the perpetrators Of this fendish
crime has been obtained. Last We'd
nesday morning, about l o'clock, tue
residence Of Mr.. j. Mccoy. this side Of
Waterford, on the Mechanicsville road, |
was entered by burglars. Their pres
snce was first discovered by Daisy Nc
Coy, who was awakened BY dog in her
-oom growing, when she saw two mask
ID men One held revolver to her
head. and said /" Keep your dog quiet,
,r I'll shoot you" She quieted the I
log and tainted away; but the noise
made by the dog had awakened Mr.
Mccoy. in adjoining room, and SPRING
ng up in bed saw three men standing
y his side. each pointing cooked pis-
ol at him One Of them said, 1--WE
re poor men out Of work, and We want
1our money" Mr.. Mccoy handed them
us, his watch, and some other valua-
lie. The burglars then went to the
Dom Of Edward Mccoy, Who showed
ight, but was soon quieted. From him
hey took 500, q 5000 watch, and some
ewelry. The two burglars in Miss
dcCoy's room got diamond locket.
frs. Mccoy was robbed Of some money,
swelry. and silverware. From the ser 7
ants they got quantity Of jewelry and
Us in money. A large amount Of
eavy silver plate was taken from the
ideboard in the dining room. The
ight men were in ragged clothing and
'ore masks. After rsnsacking the
ouse they threatened to burn the house
nd barns if any alarm was given by
, Mccoy before 9 o'clock in the morn
lg. Mr. Mccoy did not make known
,e burglary until after that hour. say
'g that he had promised not to, and he
,uld not break his word. No trace Of
lie burglars or property has yet been
und. The same night the boarding /
ouse Of Mr.. Morley. at the Springs,
as entered, and the guests robbed Of
800 in money and jewelry. A gang !
tramps had been lowering about the
ace during the day.