The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-11-01
CiMDEN'S MIskED ROBBERs.
OVer $4,000 Taken from "a SAFE In n IIoa.e
whose Owners DIstrusted Banks.

CAMDEN. Y. j., Oct 3l.-Thc daring rob
berry Of the Baser brothers last night 10y five
masked burglars, who handcuffcd them and
carried $4,000 from the house, has excited this
usually quiet city. The house in South Third
street. where the two bachelor brothers have so
long lived together. and in which they were
robbed has been visited by many hundred per-
sons to-day. led there bv curiosity. Wesley and
William Balser own ablock Of Ave or six houses
in South Third street in one Of which. &c.
they live. They own. besides. considerable
property in other parts OF the city. They arc
both advanced in years. and they live frugally
employing no servants. They add to the letting
Of property the business Of shaving notes and
mortgages. Neither Of them had any conf
dcnce in banks. and all their uninvcstad money
WAS kept in the house. On Wednesday evening
the money In their safe in tho second story
amounted To nearly fl1 Oou. 4 portion 81 this
WAS gold and silver. which they had Inherited
from their parents, who Tor many years o"cu-
Eighth. When the mother died the father not
only continued his business. but performed the
housework. the boys assisting him. After thcir
inihors death they. however, abandoned tho
market. aud began TO live vry retired. One II
them would sometimes walk abroad on ilun
day, always appearing neatly dressed while
~" other remained indoors. 1t being their rule
ncVor 10 bo both absent from the house ~ the
same time. Tne following Is Mr. William Bal
81 the brothers; and is probably somewhat less
than 80 years II age:
went out for a walk at G o'clock last oven
ing. he said. leaving my brother Wesley in
the front room. returned at about 20 minutes
before s. Iupened the door with my latch key.
in the hallway. As did so. the door was
closed behind me. AZ tho same minute |
mas ed men standing there. but no sign OF my
brother. My God. I said 10 myself. is IVES.
murderedF just hen received a blow from
man standing behind me. and those in front
advanced hastily and threateningy. ! turned
quickly on being struck aud Fnocked down tho
that instant was caught round the arms and
waist from behind. and in minute more | was
gagged and bound hand and foot. They then
dragged me 10 n closet in which they had before
put Wesley. They searched my pockets. taking
out the key OF this safe, and four Of them then
went up stairs. while one remained rs n
guard over us. Once or twice this man
spoke TO me, saying he would shoot mo
IL attempted to cry out or give any alarm /;
and noticed that he tried to give tho impress
sion that no was an lrishman by assuming a
hroRue. but he failed miseraby. There was
81 800 In gold and 5000 in silver In tho safe and
| heard them pouring the coin into something
AS they removed Il. There was also t12, 500 IN
10 out by the back way. As soon as could free
my hands which 1 had been constantly endenv-
oring TO free, While in the closet. ran to the
front door and saw a man dart down and run
on up the street then gave the alarm and In
alew minutes persons came running up and
unbound me. The robbers had placed pair Of
new spring steel handouts ON my brother Wes-
ley's wrists which We had to file on. II seems
to me. also. that they had something ON u
sponge which they several times attempted TO
dash into my face. Wesley had a key TO the
safe but il was In his fob pocket and they did
not find II when they searched him. They had
however, previous TO my coming home rum
mayed the house M stairs and emptcd Of its
contents an old chest Of my fathers
Wesley tells me they rang tho bell. and when
he opened the door they knocked him down
handcufed him, and demanded tho key 10 the
safe LIP said he didn't have it. and they then
6na. coming down again. essed him nov soon
| would return. He told them he did not know
probably | would be- absent all night. They
answered they would wait. and sat down in tho
front room down stairs until they heard me
come in. We Intended to purchase some prop
erly, and that WAS tho reason for our having So
much money in the house. At one time we had
money In the State Bank. but drew consider
able out. ! haven't the slightest suspicion Of
who the men were"
Tho police have thus far obtained no clue to
thr burglars other than report that one Of
thom belonged TO Camden and furnished infor-
nation 10 the others who were from New York
or Philadelphia. The brothers can give no
clear desert tiOn OF them.