The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-02-15
THREE BURGLARS nuTcIIEHED.
An Extended Criminal Raid Cut
Short by Timely Ambuscadc.

An Extended Criminal Rad Cut
Short by Timely Ambuscadc.
Furthef particulars Of the whole-
sale slaughter ofburglars in Indiana
on Monday night show Che existence
of a gang in that vicinity which
fully justified the citizens in their
radical measures for protection.
A despatch to the New York SVn
says:
Tunnelton, the scene of the kill
ing of the three burglars, is a little
station on the Ohio and Mississippi
Railroad, in Indiana, where many
desperate men make their headquar-
tiers. Nicholas Vaughn, Virgil Viii
son, Zachariah Whitfield and Ben
Willoughby formed conspiracy a
few days ago to enter the saloon of
one Meyer, who was supposed to
have a large sum OF money in his
cellar After this they were to go to
the residence of Mr.. Thomas Clark,
a well known and wealthy citizen,
call him out, kill him, and rob the
house, where it was also thought
there was considerable amount of
money. Then they were to set q
vacant building on fire near the
edge of the village, and in the con-
sequent excitement and confusion
the conspirators were to rob the
large manufacturing establishment
of Guthrie e. Son. After all this
had been accomplished they intend
ed to flee to Colorado or New Mexi-
co. Willoughby exposed the plot
on Sunday morning to Mr.. Clark
and a few others, and steps were at
once taken to thwart the villains.
A freight ear was rolled along the
switch track close to the saloon to
afford an ambush for four or five
men. Other men were posted in
different positions that gave them
full view of the window at which
the burglars were to enter the saloon.
At least twen.y-one men, nearly all
armed with shot guns heavily charg-
ed, were thus concealed awaiting
the burglars.
At the appointed time all of them
-Willoughby, as was agreed upon,
wearing pair OF white pantaloons
that he might be known and not
shot-approached the window, which
was soon opened. Waugh, Whitfield
and Wilson quickly entered. Viii
loughby stepped around the corner
Of the building and a pistol was
fired to alarm the burglars, who
jumped out of the window on the
platform porch, which is elevated
above the ground three or four feet.
No sooner were they all out than
the concentrated fire of twenty-one
men was poured upon them. They
all fell, but not one of them was
mortally wounded, it is supposed,
and they managed to get under the
platform. Then they were called
upon to come out and surrender.
The reply. was that they would
come out and deliver up their arms
if assurance was given to them that
they would not be shot. 1t is said
that this assurance was given, and
they crawled out and delivered up
their pistols. Immediately they
were fred upon by several persons.
Whitfield dropped dead, and Vaughn
fell mortally wounded. Wilson was
badly wounded in the abdomen,
but ran some distance, fell, got up
and started again, but before he had
gone many steps he was shot down
by some person .rho was following
him. While lie 1as dying a shot
gun was dischal Ged close to his
head, and the top vi it almost blown
of. Vaughn lin red until II
o'clock last night, w..en he died.
Willoughby, when betraying his
comrades, said that the.y was an
organized party Of twelve, and that
a plan had been laid q few days ago
TO wreck the through lightning ex-
press on the Ohio and Mississippi
Railroad, at what is called the Ute
Tunnel, near Tunnelton, and rob
the express company and passen-
gers. For some reason the job was
abandoned. Willoughby is a bad
man, and was some years ago CON
fined in jail in this place on a charge
of murder, but owing to lack Of evil
dence against him, was discharged.
Yesterday morning he started for
the West on the Ohio and Mississip-
pi road, no doubt fearing that if he
remaine'i in Tunnelton others Of the
gang might avenge the deaths of
their companions.