The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-11
Masked TsursIarS. Again.

THE RESIDENCE OF COLONEi. JAMES A. HaHli,-
TON, NEAR DoDD's FERRY, ROBBED.
One OF the most audacious robberies ever
committed in Westchcstcr county was per-
pctratcd at an early hour Oh Thursday
morning by gang OF masked burglars, all
OF whom succeeded in cfecting their escape.
The residence OF Colonel james a. Hamil-
ton, a son of the illustrious Alexander Ham,
ilton. is a large, old-fashioncd mansion, sur
rounded by spacious grounds and situated
on q slope overlooking the Hudson river
about midway between Dobb's ferry and
Irvington. On Wednesday evening its in
mates were Colonel Hamilton, who Is
about ninety years OF age and very
feeble: Miss Webb. an elderly lady, who is
in attendance upon the Colonel; a lady
frieiiT 81 Miss Webb, four female servants,
and an old man named Daniel Wallace, who
has been in the employ Of the family for
nearly forty wears. Alexander Hamilton,
OF this city, who is the Colonel's son, had
left his fathers residence on Tuesday morn
ing for brief absence. About II o'clock on
wednesday night Wallace, who sleeps in
the basement Of the house, was awakened
BY the barking Of watchdog which
was stationed outside. The barking sud-
denly ceased, and seYeraEvigor blows
were struck on the heavy door lead
ing to the basement. He then heard
several grlff voices ordering him to open
the door, but being satisfied that the
intruders were burglars he refused to
do so, and, rushing up stairs, gave the alarm
to the other inmates. Miss Webb and her
lady COMPANION hastily donned wrappers
and rushed down stairs. Miss Webb. with
considerable presence OF mind, although
there was no loaded weapon in the house,
shouted to the intruders, " II you enter
will shoot YOU" She then shouted for
g Alexandcr" and "George," in order TO
give the invading ruffians the impression
that there were men in the house. This
ruse had the effect Of quoting them few
minutes, but after a short time the siege
was renewed. One of the burglars was
stationed at the entrance to the mansion
with q revolver in his hand, while the other
three climbed to balcony on the east
side. OF the house, leading to 4 window
opening into the dining-room. Having
broken the window they forced open a door
leading to the hall, when they had free ac-
cess to the house Meantime Miss Webb
had taken the prccaution to secrete the
family plate az well rs her own 1ewelry. AS
soon as the dining-room had been burst
open the terrified females rushed up stairs
to the attic, followed by the robbers, whose
faces were blackened, rendering them I'M
recognizable. One OF them wore mask OF
pink mosquito-netting. They all carried
revolycrs and dark-lanterns, and Us they
assembled the stairs they blew out all the
lights, depending upon their lanterns for
guidance. When they had almost reached
the attic landing, on which the women
were huddled together, one OF the ruff
fans fired his revolver, apparently at
them, but the ball entered the ceiling IN
derneath their feet. The shot was evidently
intended to brighten them, as Immediately
afterward they demanded money, saying
they were "poor men who had been out OF
EMPLOYMENT for eighteen months, and need
ed bread" Miss Webb then threw them
down a $40 bill, and one OF the servant
girls s., another S., and another 81. The
women begged them for Gods sake not to
harm old Colonel Hamilton, who they said
was in very feeble condition. During the
turmoil the venerable Colonel slept sound
ly. After giving the money the affrighted
women took refuge in the cooks room IN
the attic, to which they were followed by
the burglars, who blew out the light which
was burning in that apartment. One OF
the gang then placed a pistol at the cooks
breast and demanded more money, and only
after having been thoroughly satisfied that
Suc udu uObS ttQ w tuS
| lower portion OF the house. There they
demanded the key OF the pantry, which was
delivered to them, and they repaired to the
kitchen, where they RECALLED themselves with
choice old wines and brandies and the more
substantial edibles that they discovered in
the closets. In the meantime the frightened
females had locked themselves up in room
in the upper part OF the house, and spent the
anxious hours in praying for the dawn.
After fully satiating themselves the burglars
departed at about $3.50 in the morning, car
rring with them two small silver dishes.
Shortly after their departure Mr.. Alexander
Hamilton was telegraphed to, and he soon
arrived with New York detective, who IS
now stationed at the house and will endea-
yor to ferret out the perpetl ators OF the
crime. 1t is limited that there Is IN his pos
session clue to the identity Of the burglars.
Neo York: Times. s.e