Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-15
a BURGLAR VISITS A JUDGE.
Judge Henry B. Browns Goodness Under
Trying Circumstances
IRON Ne Nelo Y5rt TIme8.


From the Eeu York Times.
DETROIT, MICH, June 1.-THE Hon.
Henry B. Brown, Judge OF the United
States District Court for the Eastern dis.
trict Of Michigan, mad an extra judicial
experience last night, which he probably
wouldn't care to have repeated right
away. About O'Clock this morning he
was awakened by a masked burglar
standing at the foot of his bed. As soon
as he realized that there was a stranger
in the room he said "What do you want
there" The burglar, who had by this
time covered the Judge and his wife with
a huge revolver, coolly answered, "Lie
perfectly still and everything VIII be
all right" AS discretion seemed
the better part of yalOr, Judge
Brown was silent, but his wife screamed
at the top of her voice. The burglar,
who was remarkably cool, then said he
wouldn't hurt anybody, but wanted what
money there was in the house. He was
told there was none, but at once replied
that that excuse was "too thln." still
covering the frightened occupants OF the
bed with his revolver, the robber took up
the Judges trousers, which were lying on
a lounge at the foot of the bed. Shaking
them, some KEYS ratified, which the bur-
glar took for money. The Judge assured
MIN there was none, but the burglar was
not satisfied, and tished around in the
pockets until he extracted about 81 in
silver change. Then be came along side
the bed and cOOly extracted the gold
studs from the Judges shirt. Seeing Mrs.
Browns gold watch hanging at the head
Of the bed he appropriated it. Then ne
\. EVrI r4ig
that he might see what was under II and
found there gold watch.
Don't take my watch" said the Judge.
'What makes you like that 80 much?
Whatll you give me for it," was the cool
rejoinder. Then the watch disappeared
in the villains capacious pocket.
The burglar next sped bureau at the
side of the bed. In this piece of furniture
the Judge kept his revolver. He knew
that if the burglar secured that he was
done for. He had determined to let the
fellow ransack the room to mis- hearts
content, but it was his intention to follow
and shoot him when outside the room,
where Mrs Brown would be placed in no
danger by wild shooting on either side.
Seeing that the fellow was determined to
open the bureau, Judge Brown leaned out
OF bed and opened. one drawer TO show
him there was nething inside. While
doing the same to the second drawer with
his right hand he cleverly slipped in his
left band and secured the coveted revOl-
yer. Although the weapon had not been
used for ten years the Judge at once fired
at the burglar, who was so greatly taken
back that he seemed to lose all control of
his own actions and gave up further
thought Of plumber. He made Immediate
ly for the door, in the meantime firing to-
ward the bed. but he was so badly ratified
by the turn affairs had taken that his bull
let did no harm. The Judge answered
the shot from the burglar with another
He then sprung out Of bed and followed
him out of the room. While the fellow
was going down the winding stairs sew
eral shots were fired at him by the Judge
and were returned with somewhat better
aim. One struck the balusters and glanced
off into the wall. 1t must have struck
quite close TO where the Judge was stand
ing at the time. By this time the noise of
the firing and Judge Browns shouts for
the police aroused the neighbors, who
were soon on the spot.
The room was found full of smoke from
the repeated firing, and smelling decidedly
warlike. 1t was ascertained that the thief
had opened back door and lighted the
gas in the lower hall to facilitate his es-
cape in just such an emergency as befell
him, and by this means he safely made his
exit, evidently not having been hit by any
of the balls sent after him from the Judges
pistol. The loss, including the two
watches and some valuable rings belong
ing to Mrs. Brown, is estimated at $500.
The Judge held court as usual to-day,
but admitted not being exactly in his
usual undIsturbed state of mind, as he had
been quite seriously broken Of his rest and
somewhat shaken up otherwise. His
GOODNESS under the trying circumstances,
however, was admirable, and his escape
from harm from the repeated shots of the
burglar is cause for general cOngratula-
tion in all circles in this city where Judge
Brown is held IN great esteem.