The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-10-14
TRICKS THAT WERE vAIN INDEED.
Elaborate Preparation. FOR stealing Mine
Hundred Dollars.

John II. Watts, young farmer OF Flat
lands. returning to his home on Saturday from
his marketing in this city, found that he had
been robbed Of over $500. all the money he had.
The money was in trunk especially made to
keep IL in his sleeping room. The room was
kept locked and the only person who had ac-
cess to 1t besides Watts was acripple brother. l6
years Of age. Tho trunk had been so carefully
made that Watts laughed Mt the thought Of bur
glars picking the three locks. while the fact
that it was iron-lined insured it. he thought
from fire.
For two months William H. Hyde. whose step
mother married Watts's father, has lived with
the family. and on the day that young Watts
brought his burglar and 1re-proof trunk home
Hyde was in the room. few weeks uRo Hyde
distracted the key from watss pocket. and
took an impression Of It. from which he made
wooden key. In Wattss absence Hyde. after
several trials locked and unlocked the trunk
Last week. finding that there was over 5000 in
the trunk. he proposed to Samuel Dressncr Of
213 York street. Brooklyn. 10 steal the money
Dressner told Hyde that n third nan would he
Friday night with John +. Bass Of 81 De Kolh
upon young woman en- On, fridSs1 night sad
shortly after. mi,dnisht. an unusual hour for
nd R BoTs dF9v the me Rbns 4 The pR
! Reformed Church. n short distance from MIR;
| Watis's house. BAGS remained with the animal
| and Dressnrr slipped over 10 the house, and
! taking off his shot s. climbed up the balcony
where HYDE WINS waiting. for him. Tog"ther
| they made their wav into Natts's room whore
| Hyde unlockedthc trunk. The cripped hrother
~ Watts slept soundly and was not disturbed
They took t5l7 in silver. Hyde took $3.50 IN
| bank notes and Dressner the remainder. After
! they were ont upon the balcony again, in order
! to ward III any suspicion from hyde. It was de.
| termined 70 leave some mark ~ nm assault upon
him. Dressner suggested cutting him with q
! knife. So that blood should follow. Hyde thought
that it would take too long for the wounds I,
! heal. moreover he didn't caro- 10 run the risl
| oi being srarred A. he suggested hlnck eye
| Closing his lcff eye. he directed Dressner 70 hi
him. md stood M 70 RI Give tho how. Dr. nel
! stepped back ana planted the blow with his h-i
| Then HYDE wanttO bed. and Dressur and BGs'
| silver which Bass secreted in his house. j
was manned that Hyde should meet them III
New York Yesterday and divide the money
When the Watts family called Hyde 10 hi'
sleep. and after much effort he was reused. IL
! declared that no had been Knocked down WI u
trying to prevent burglars from getting out o
the uprer part OF tho house. and had been cnlo
roiormed. gag which Drrssn.er ma lo't IN m
| balcony seemed to strengthen Hyde's assertion
Detective Riggs charged Hydo with the theii
! He made n full confession. and returned s2SO
Detective Carr found Bass and Dressner. AM
they tool were frightened into n confession. Tn
500. which Bass and Drsssner had spent.
Hydc's black eye was yesterday stili in u stat
OF mourn'ul preservation when the three wer
locked UP In the Washington street police sta
ton Bnss is a son ~ the Rev. job Bass. tn
years ago was a professional ball player and
member OF the Hartford nine.