The New York herald., 1877-09-08
MORE MASKED BURGLARS.
Midnight Raid Upon an Historical Man.
sion on the Hudson.
THE RESIDENTS OF RVINGTON STARTLED.
Dobbs' Ferry Invaded by the
Marauders.

A most nudacious burglary by masked and other
wise disguised men was perpetrated the east bank
OF tho Hudson River, in the vicinity Of Ivingon, last
Wednesday night. Tho scene NJ the outrage below de-
scr bed was the ancestral residence OF Colonel James
A. Hamilton, son of Alexander Hamilton, who figured
prominently in the carly history Of this country and
who finally fell in duel with Aaron Burr Surrounded
by spacious grounds the house stands in compara-
ively secluded spot overlooking the river at point
about midway between Dobbs' Ferry ani the village
above named. At the time OF the burglary the occu-
pauts OF the mansion were Colonel Hamilton an in
valid ninety years of age; an elderly lady named
Webb who takes care OF the old gentleman; lady
friend Of bcrs four servant girls and an aged work.
man named Daniel Wallace, who, IL s SAID, has been
the employ of the Hamilton family for nearly half
century.
THE BURGLARY.
At about eleven o'clock on the night mentioned
Wallace, who slept In tho basement. aroused by
the furious barking of fcrocous bulldog kept outside
to guard the premises, but ullcd into temporary
state Of iancied security on finding that the dog
became quiet again in few moments. The man was
again startled almost Immediately aferward by
hammcring on the basement door and voices roughly
demanding admittance Wallace, after saying that he
would not open the door, hastcned upstairs and aroused
the sleeping inmates, excepting Colonel Hamilton who
slept soundly throughout the whole OF what followed.
Hastily throwing on additional garments, Miss Webb
and her lady friond, who occupied rooms adjoining,
descended TO tho basement where the robbers were
still trying with might and main TO break in
the door. with commcndablo presence OF mind
Miss Webb at once called out, in such
determined tones she could assume that she would
shoot the parties II they did not leave and then in
louder voice, appealed TO Alexander Hamilton and
George Schuyler. though these parties we're in the
hOuee thinking by that means TO frlgltCu
the dcsperadoes outside. 1t may here BIO stated,
men left for New York Tuesday morning,
with the intention Of remaining Mt his homo IN tho
city for few days-a circumstance which was prob
ably known TO the burglars, they evinced dspo
siton to leave when the name was announced. Mr..
Schuyler Is a son-inlaw OF Mr.. Hamilton and tre-
qucntly visits tho Hamilton mansion.
AN AUDACIous PIECE BUSINESS
After valny cndeayorng TO force the basement door
the attacking party ascended few steps and reached
a balcony on the east sido OF the house. where they
effected an entrance Dy breaking a window, which
opened from the dining room. In this latter room
three OF the party reconnoitred with the aid of their
been left outside TO warn his marauding companions
the approach OF danger. strong door barred the
way of he robbers from the dining room to the wide
hallway. but by the repeated application of a heavy
locust club which they carried, pannels Of the door
were smashed, allowing the trio to creep through
into tho hall, ana thus gam access to
the entire house. Meanwhile the female inmates in
Guiding the four servants, had retreated in terror
toward the attc not, however before Miss Webb had
hastily removed the family plato from its
place secreted 1t elsewhere. Guided by the
women three burglars ascended the
after the former, when the frightened females per-
ccivcd that one OF them wore piece OF pink
mosquito netting doubled over his face, and that the
other had iheir features completely disguised by
some sort Of backing stun. Eacn carried revolver
in his hand, and ono OF them before ascending to
the upper floor fired shot, doubtless for the pUr-
pose of still further frightening the already
trembling inmates into ready obedience to their
demands When tho report 9th 1l the pistol resounded
alarmed for the safety OF her CHARGE out to the
robbers asking them TO spare the life OF Colonel Ham
iiton adding that hc Was IN very feeble condition.
On this one OF tho parties assured hcr that they
would not hurt him that all they wanted was money,
they were poor men ana had Deen out OF work 1or
the past eighteen months.
BuYiYG THE BURGLARS OFF
As the robbers still remained the foot OF the stairs
leading TO the floor which Miss Webb and her CON-
panions that lady threw them down ten dollar
note 1hs was followed by one OF the servants giving
the money sue had. Not satisfied with tho amounts
ceved, however the three men then ascended TO the
attic, and, entering the sleeping apartment OF tho
cook, extingulshcd the lamp. Then by the
ght Of their dark lanterns OF them put pistol to
her breast aud demanded more money. On the woman
assuring them that she had they offered no tur
hcr violence and having retraced their stops down
stairs called out Tor the key OF the pantry. Having
been told unhesltatlngy by Miss Webb where tho
key could be found, the fellows SAT down to
WINE, brandy, ham, crackers and other edibles which
they discussed until about four O'Clock on Thursday
morning and while the terrified females renamed in
the attic eagerly watching and praying Tor their de-
parture 1t s believed that the parties wcre not pro-
essonal burglars as they did not ransack the house
In search OF valuab.es, tho only articles missing
after their departure being TWO small silver
Dishes Before leaving, however, the burglars dubbed
the OLD man Wallace lor refusing to give Them money,
they assuring him that nc mad his savings hidden
away The club and piece of mosquito netting
the burglars lett behind them. telegram in
regard to tho burglary summoned Mr.. Alexander
Hamilton from the city 10 his fathers house on Thurs
day morning. He brought with him an experienced
who has since been al work upon the case,
and II was SAID Irviugton last evening that he HAD
found clew TO the guilty pprties.
THE MARAUDERs VISIT DoBBs FERRY
The same gang believed 10 be still operating in the
vicinity, another attempt at burglary was made by
two masked Thursday night near Dobbs' Ferry.
and this time at the house Of Peter Lee, who IS col
lector Tor brewery that village. Ice, his capac
ity of collector often takes home considerable
mount OF money, ana this circumstance Is supposed
10 have melted the cupldty OF the burglars.
The latter, py means OF ladder, reached window
on tho second story OF Leos house. and orclng the
sash. both men entered the room where I'm Invalid
brother OF Lee slept The sick man jumped out Of
bed and saw Two masked men, one oil whom
turned dark lantern on him. Seeing that
1t Was the collector the parties hastily +et by the
way they had entered. The people IN the ncghbor-
hood are thoroughly aroused and the immediate or
OF vigilance committee at DoDbs Ferry
Is being earnestly discussed.