The Republican journal., 1877-09-13
Burglary at Country Residences.

atlVe as well as safe to the perpetrators.
1t is the robbing Of the suburban resi-
dences Of wealthy men. We copy from
the New York Herald an account of one
of these affairs, which happened last
week
A most audacous burglary by masked
and otherwise disguised men was perpe-
tratcd on the east bank of the Hudson
River, in the vicinity Of Irvington, last
Wednesday night. The scene of the out
rage below described was the ancestral
residence of Colonel James A. Hamilton,
son of Alexander Hamilton, who figured
prominently in the early history of this
country and who finally fell in a duel with
Aaron Burr. Surrounded by spacious
grounds the house stands in a compare
lively secluded spot overlooking the river
at point about midway between Dobbs
Ferry and the village above named. At
the time of the burglary the occupants
OF the mansion were Colonel Hamilton, an
invalid, over ninety years of age; an
elderly lady named Webb, who takes
care OF the old gentleman; a lady friend
of hers, four servant girls, and an aged
workman named Daniel Wallace, who, it
is said, has been in the employ of the
Hamilton family for nearly half century.
At about eleven o'clock on the night
mentioned Wallace, who slept in the
basement, was aroused by the furious
barking of a ferocious bulldog kept out
side to guard the premises. but was lulled
into temporary state of tancied security
on finding that the dog became quiet
again in a few moments. The man was
again startled almost Immediately after
ward by a hammering on the basement
door and voices roughly demanding ad-
mittancc. Wallace, after saying that he
would not open the door, FASTENED up
stairs and aroused the sleeping inmates,
excepting Colonel Hamilton, who slept
s0undly through the whole Of what fol-
lowed. Hastily throwing on additional
garments, Miss Webb and her lady friend
who occupied rooms adjoining, descended
to the basement where the robbers were
still trying with might and main to break
open the door. With cOmmendable pres
ence of mind Miss Webb at once called
out, in such determined tones as she
could assume, that she would shoot the
parties if they did not leave, and then, in
II louder voice, appealed to Alexander
Hamilton and George Schuyler. us though
these parties We're in the house, thinking
by that means to trighten away the DIES
peradoes outside. 1t may here be stated
parcnthctcally. that the first named of
these gentlemen left for New York on
Tuesday morning, with the intention of
remaining al his home in the city for a
few days-a circumstance which was
probably known to the burglars as they
evinccd no disposition to leave when the
name was announced. Mr. Schuyler is a
son-in-law of Mr.. Hamilton and frequent
ly visits the Hamilton mansion.
AN ANALOGOUS PIECE OF BUSINESS.
After Nanly endeavoring to force the
basement door, the attacking party as
cendcd few steps and reached balcony
on the east side of the house, where they
effected an entrance by breaking a Win
dow, which opened from the dining
room. In this latter room three of the
party accommodated with the aid of their
dark lanterns another of the gang having
been left outside to warn his marauding
companions on the approach of danger.
\ strong door barred the way Of the rob
bers from the dining room to the wide
hallway. but by the repeated application
of Il heavy locust club which they carried,
two panels of the door was smashed.
allowing the trio to creep through into
the hall, and thus gain an access to the
entire house. Meanwhile the female in
mates, including the four servants, had
retreated in terror towards the attic, not,
however, before Miss Webb he'd hastily
removed the family plate fron.>Its accus-
toned place and secreted it elsewhere.
Guided by the Women's voices the three
burglars assembled the stairs after the
former, when one of the frightened te-
males perceived that one of them wore a
piece Of pink mosquito netting doubled
over his face, and that the other two had
their features completely disguised by
some sort Of backing stuff Each carried
a revolver in his hand, and one of them
before ascending to the upper floor fired
a shot, doubtless for the purpose of still
further frightening the already trembling
inmates into ready obedience to their de
mands. When the report OF the pistol
resounded through the house, Miss Webb
now thoroughly alarmed for the safety of
her charge, cried out to the robbers ask
ING them to spare the life of Colonel
Hamilton, adding that he was in a very
feeble condition. On this one of the par
ties assured her that they would not hurt
INN that all they wanted was money, as
they We're poor men and had been out of
work for the past eighteen months.
AS the robbers still remained at the
loot OF the stairs leading to the floor on
which Miss Webb and her companions
We're, that lady threw down a ten-dollar
note. This was followed 10y one of the
servants giving 81, another giving 9:}
and still another donating 81, all the
money she had. Not satisfied with the
amounts received, however. the three
men then assembled to the attic, and. en-
teI1ng the sleeping apartment of the cook.
cNtngulshcd the lamp. Then by the
light of their dark lanterns one of them
put pistol to her breast and demanded
more money On the woman assuring
them that she had none, they offered no
further violence. and having rctraced
then steps down stairs called out for the
key of the pantry. Having been told I'M
hesitatingly by Miss Webb where the KEY
could he found the fellows sat down to
wine. brandy, ham, crackers and other
cdibles, which they discussed until about
four O'Clock this morning. and while the
terrified females remained in the attic
eagerly watching and praying for their
departure. 1t is believed that the par
ties were not professional burglars, as
they did not ransack the house in search
OF valuables the only articles missing at
ter their departure being two small silver
dishes. Before leaving, however, the
burglars dubbed the old man Wallace
for refusing to give them money. they as
surfing him that he had his savings hid
den away. The club and piece of mos
quito netting the burglars left behind
them. telegram IN regard to the bur
glary summoned Mr.. Alexander Halnil-
ton from the city to his fathers house on
Thursday morning. He brought with
him an experienced detective, who has
since been at work upon the case, and it
WAS said at Iryington last evening that
he had found a cleW to the guilty parties.
Organized Robbery by Tramps.