The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1880-07-24
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The village of NefT5ville, in Lehigh Co.,
about eleven miles from Allentown, was at
an early hour on Sunday morning the scene
Of bold robbery. Daniel Kern, retired
farmer, aged about sixty years, lives with
his wife in a small two story house, about a
mile from the village, his nearest neighbor
being about two hundred yards distant.
There was no ono else in the house with the
old couple, and the robbers evidently had
an easy task. Mr.. Kern says that about one
o'clock Sunday morning, he and his wife
were awakened from sleep by three masked
men, who had effected an entrance into the
house by boring hole through q window
sash on the second story and taking out q
nail by which the sash was fastened. One
man entered by this way, and then creeping
down stairs, opened the door for the other
two. They then lighted a lamp, went to
the bedroom of the old couple, and at once
told Kern and his wife that they (the rob-
bers) knew that there was money in the
house and that they were after it, and that
if any noise was made some one would have
to suffer for it; otherwise there would be nc
harm done. The robbers then demanded
that all the money and valuables should be
in house, and refused to give them anything
The burglars thereupou procured a carriage
blanket, cut it into strips, and with these
bound the man and woman securely, tying
their hands behind their backs and their
feet together. The old man who was suffer.
ing from rheumatism, made no effort to
prevent this, but the old woman fought
with desperation, and was only conquered
after terrible struggle. While two of the
robbers were binding the old couple the
third was ransaeking the house for plunder
After tying the feet of Mr.. and Mrs. Kern
to the iootbOard of the bed, and their hand.
to the headboard, all three of the robber:
joined in the search, which was kept mp foi
two hours, during which time bureaus ant
chests were opened and chaf bags cut oper
and their contents spilled on the floor. Tn,
thieves were in good humor, and evidently
elated over their success. About three o'clocl
they discovered that Mrs. Kern had frecC
herself, and they then took calico dres
from the wall and tore it into strips, will
which they bound her more securely, anC
fastened gag ia her mouth. After takn.
a meal the robbers quilted the prem
ses. Several hours later Mrs, Kern sue
oeeded in freeing herself, after great exer
tiun,and made her wav to the nearest neigh
Dor and raised an alarm. The robbers had
however, made good their escape. As Ia
as can be asccrtaiued the following was sto
len: About SlOO in cash. school bonds Of thu
city of Allentown to the amount of $500
Lehigh county bonds, $500; United State
per cent bonds, $1,000; United States i.
per cent. bonds, $500. The money an,
bonds were kept in bureau drawers and in
| side board. Payment has been stopped OF
the school and county bonds. 1t is believed
that the Government bonds are registered
and that Mr.. Kern will not lose them.
| five hundred dollar certificate of deposit il
| the delunct Blumer & Co. Bank was left be
hind, the robbers evidently knowing th
wonhIessness of that paper. Officer Smith
Of Allentown, drove to Mr.. Kern's rcsdenc
Monday morning, and looacd carefully in
to the details. lie returned at noon anC
reported that Mrs, Kern felt very sore an,
stuff, while Mr.. Kern was all right again
The robbers spoke German when addressin
the Kerns, but spoke English among them
selves. There is is yet no clue to the burg
ulars, but it is believed their capture will b
effected About two yeors ago a small SAT
in the same house was one night carried in
to an adjacent field and efforts made to ope
it by exploding powder in it, but the sal
resisted all eiloSs at opening.