Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-08-03
FOLD ROBBERS.
BANK CASHIER ATTACKED on TRAIN BY
THREE THIEVES WHO TRY TO STEAL SO, 600
THEY ARE BAPTIZED ARRESTED AND PROMPT

BANK CASHIER ATTACKED on A TRAIN BY
THREE THIEVES WHO TRY TO STEAL $4,000
THEY ARE BAFFLED ARRESTED AND PROMPT
LY SENT TO PRISON.
One of the boldest attempts at robbery
witch has ever been made was frustrated in
Hoboken, n. j., last Saturday morning, and
all the highwaymen, three in number-in-
Guiding John Nugent, one of the most noto-
rious of New York criminals-were arrested
and two Of them have already been sent to
prison,
The intended robbery must have been care
fully planned, and the habits of the victim
closely noted. Thomas j. Smith, cashier of
the Orange National bank of Orange, n. j.,
has been accustomed for years to go over to
New York every Saturday and draw money
from the Irving National bank, with which
to enable the matters and other manufacturers
of Orange to pay of their hands. He was
generally accompanied by messenger, but
on Saturday he was alone. He drew $10,-
600 which he placed in hand satchel. Then
he started for home. lie crossed the ferry at
10 o'clock and then walked into the depot
and took seat in the second car from the
rear of the train for Orange.
Placing the satchel on the floor, Mr.. Smith
took a newspaper out of his pocket and had
Just settled himself down to read when he
received four or five stunning blows on the
back of the head in rapid succession with a
| piece of lead pipe wrapped up in a newspa-
per. The blows were struck by powerfully
built heavily bearded man who stood behind
| him A.; his companions were about two seats
back standing in the aisle. MIR. Smith cried
| out and struggled TO his feet although he
was 80 dazed by the blows that be was scarce
| ly able to stand. At the same moment his
assailant seized the satchel but Mr. Smith
! kept firm hold of it, and the thief was foil
ed. Mr.. Smith, who first thought that his
assailant was a lunatic bent on numbering
him, now saw that the purpose of the attack
was robbery, and cried out for help. All this
had occurred so quickly that the other pas
sengers in the car, many of whom were &C.
quanted with Mr.. Smith, were unaware that
anything unusual was happening A num-
Der of men responded to Mr. Smiths cries
for help and crowded around the thieves.
The latter, seeing that there was no possibil-
| lily of securing the money, turned their at
tention to making their escape. AS the
crowd pressed around them they drew re-
volvers aud placing themselves back to back,
threatened to shoot anybody who stood in
their way. The aisle was quickly cleared,
and Fastening out of the car the thieves ran
out of the depot and over to twO-wheeled
butchers cart which stood across the street
from the depot,
The horse when hidden to start reared and
passenger who had witnessed the encoun-
ter on the train seized the bride. Two of
the men, fearing that the delay would result
in their capture, jumped from the wagon and
dashed up the street but the third whipped
out a revolver and began firing at the man
at the horses head. The stranger dropped
the bride and the thief started the horse
forward and drove furiously up the street.
The police had been notified and the wild
est excitement prevailed. Crowds followed
the dashing team up the Gtreet, The thief,
standing up in tho wagon, whipped the
horse at every stride, but in spite of all hii
efforts was pressed too closely for comfort
At Second street he attempted to drive into
a narrow alley. He did not turn shOr
enough, and the shafts were broken by
contact with the side of building. He los
no time by stopping to repair damages, bu
running again into Washington street, jump
ed into a wagon in which two boys were rid
ing, snatched the reins and began to lash thu
horse. citizen leaped over the tail board I
minute later, however, and took the fellow
into custody. He gave his name as Johr
Connolly of New York Active crowds wer'
} meantime pursuing the two other robbers
One of them followed Ferry to Washington
street. He kept his revolver in his hand
and occasionally turned on his pursuers Il
Q | keep them at bay with it. He was approach
/ ed from behind by an officer, however, an
/ captured. He said he was John j. Smith o
Mott street, New York, but in fact he wa
4 | the notorious Rugent above referred to. Tn
: third man had gone up Hudson street. Chic
! Of Police Donovan headed him OF and al