The Penn's Grove record., 1884-05-03
Two Villains Thwarted.

A Hartford, Conn. reporter has secur-
ed possession of the facts in a singular
case of what wa evidently meant to be
a deliberate murder and robbery, but
which was thwarted by the w~ell-ground-
ed caution of the wife of the intended
victim. 1t happened more than q
month ago, in Colchester, and only a
few days before the murder of Harvey
Chappell, for his money, in Lebanon, a
town adjoining Colchester. Mr.. Will
liam Rollo, who lives in a rather
secluded place on a cross-road in Col
chester, had that week drawn $500
from the bank. and had it with him.
He was alone, for his wife had gone on
a weeks visit to her mother, Mrs.
Lyman, in Hartford. These facts were
known, Is such things will be known in
rural neighborhoods. On the night in
question Mrs. Rollo had returned to
Colchester, accompanied by her mother,
and her intention to return at that time
was not known in Colchester, at least
not outside of her own house. Just
before dawn Mrs. Lyman, who CHANGED
to be awake, heard a low and rather
dubious rapping on the side door,
Waiting, she again heard it unmistak-
ably-and then she arose, and going to
her daughters bedroom. Weakened her,
telling her somebody was rapping. Mrs.
Rollo got up, went to the door and
asked, "Who is.there2" A mumbling
voice answered, "The horse Is down,
AID we want help" AS other help, on
the man road. must have been nearer
provided the stranger had been travel
ing that road-Mrs. RS suspicious
were excited, and she said, "Who are
you? What's'your name?" To this there
was no immediate response. AT length
the name of Sanford" or something
like it, was given.
By this time Mr.. Rollo had arisen,
dressed himself, and come to the door,
intending to go out and assist the
stranger. His wife, feeling a deep i'm
preston of danger, was resolute against
his going, without he took his revolver.
Mr.. Rollo at length acceded to her wish,
took his loaded revolver, unlocked the
door and went out. He saw nobody,
but went on towards the barn, which
was at some distance. Turning a cor
ner of the barn, he came upon two men
who stood behind a big walnut tree.
One had a big club.
Rollo, who had been growing more
and more angry at every step, and who
had now reached a decided pitch of
indignation, exclaimed:
"Where in-is your horse?"
son." n of the men said, as both
stepped forward toward him, she's got
up and gone Off"
Instantly drawing bis pistol and
covering the leader, Mr.. Rollo. who
was now nerved to anything, promptly
answered:
"And you two fellow im,-quick,
or III kill you in your tracks,"
They saw that be meant it, and that
he mad the drop" on them, too-and
the two villains turned and left, in a
hurry.
After daylight Mr.. Rollo and a neigh
Dor followed their tracks in the snow.
They followed their tracks for five miles
to a certain place, but no arrest appear
to have been made, and nothing done
in the matter. One of the would-be
murderers had a striking popularity in
his heel, as shown in his tracks. THIS
n bad followed his c.Hpt inn from
the barn almost to the house door.
when the other raped, and had evil
IDENTIFY stood ready, if their intended
victim had been las they supposedly
alone in the house, and had opened the
door, to have given the blow that was
to have put him out of the way, and
left the Villains free to rummage the
house.