Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-01-21
BURGLARS STILL ABOUT
Citizens Had Better Keep Their Revolver,
Ready for Duty.

Citizens Had Better Keep Their Revolvers
Ready for Duty.
Two unsuccessful attempts at bur-
glary were made in this city at an early
hour last Thursday. Burglars tried to
force an entrance into the residence of
Chief Engineer Joseph A. Bond of the
Water Department, northwest corner
Fifth avenne and Anchorage street, also
the residence of William F. Seeds,
architect and builder, living at the
north. west corner of Clayton and Syca-
more streets.
Mr.. Bond was awakened by the crash
ing of glass about 2 o'clock in the morn
ing. He got up and went to the window
and looked out. He saw man standing
in the middle of the yard while still
another intruder was already upon the
porch endeavoring to enter the house
by the front window. Mr.. Bond
quickly went down stairs but
by the time he reached the
window which the burglars had
broken they had anticipated his move
ments and were fleeing from the yard.
He clutched small English bulldog
revolver in his hand ready to shoot at a
moments notice, but the burglars gave
him a wide berth and the fire-arm was
not pressed into service. He at once
telephoned to the police station for
policeman.
Captain Francis answered the tele-
phone call and with a squad of officers
went to Mr.. Bonds residence. From
there the officers separated and started
out in different directions to apprehend
the burglars.
,1f1, ~,
the neighborhood for the robbers, Will
liam F. Seeds was having thrilling en-
counter with the same burglars, at his
handsome residence, on Clayton street,
about 300 yards from the residence of
Hon. Thomas F. Bayard. The burglars
seem to have gone straight from the
house of Mr.. Bond to that of Mr.. Seeds.
1t was about 2.45 a. m. that Mr.. and
Mrs. Seeds were startled by three heavy
blows upon the parlor window down
stairs. Then there was o great crashing
of glass followed by profound still
ness. In an instant Mr.. Seeds was out
of bed. Going to q bureau drawer he
secured 38-calibre revolver began to
descend the stairway leading into the
parlor when he saw the burglar reach
ing his arm through the hole he had
made in the window. The bur
glar was endeavoring to remove
the window fastening. The next
moment he would have raised the win
dow and slipped inside. Mr.. Seeds sat
down on the stairs watching every
movement Of the man at the window.
He was able to command q good view
of the parlor window from his position
on the stairs without being visible to
the burglar. He leveled his revolver at
the burglar just as he was removing the
window fastening and took deliberate
aim.
The pistol was discharged with loud
report, the ball crashing through the
heavy French plate glass window, and
striking the burglar fairly in the breast.
The burglar stood spell-bound for an
instant and then turned and rushed
from the porch. His companion, who
was standing out in the street during
the firing, now came TO his wounded
friends assistance. He caught him by
the arm and the two were fleeing down
Sycamore street by the time Mr.. Seeds
had reached the front door. He fired
two more shots at the fleeing burglars
without effect.
During this time the officers were
securing the streets for the robbers.
They heard the firing, but thought Mr..
Bond had again encountered the burg
lars and returned to his residence. In
this manner the burglars escaped.
Mr.. Seeds is an excellent marksman
and has won many prizes for rifle shoot.
ing. He is positive he shot the burglar
attempting to get in at the window, but
owing to the window being of heavy
plate glass, one-fourth of an inch In
thickness, he thinks most of the bullets
force was spent before striking the bur
glar. Tho flattencd ball and piece Of
beaver overcoat, which seemed to con
firm Mr.. Seeds statement, that he sho
the intruder, were found lying upon the
porch next morning. They were turned
over to Sergeant Wigglesworth.
The attempted burglaries have causet
much excitement in the neighborhooe
in which the depredations are beini
carried on, and all efforts of the police
to apprehend the culprits have beer
fruitless.
II. II. Ward, Esq, reports that c
second attempt was made to rob hi!
house, at the corner of Fifth and Rod
ney streets, 0 o'clock last night week
The burglars were the second time
frightened off by the barking of dog.
brilliant xpeddinp.