The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-12
A REVOLVER AT HER HEAD.
MRS. DRIER FORCED BIZ BURGLARS
TO OPEN SAFE

Her Husband Was First Hauled Ont of Ned.
but She Pleaded Tor His Life md DEE
cinrrd lie Didn't Know the Combination.
Three masked burglars invaded the home
OF Carl Drier in Vernon avenue. Long Island
City. the morning after election. Drier keeps
q saloon at 237 Vernon avenue. aud ilives with
his wife and their servant. Martha. on the
ground floor OF the building adjoining. Elec-
tion day was Drier's birthday. and, contrary to
tho usual custom, Mrs. Drier who has charge
OF the financial end OF the household. failed to
remember the day with gift. In an Ill humor
Drier retired to rest that night. Toward the
early hours OF the morning Mrs Drier was
aroused from her sleep by noise In their
sleeping room. In the dim light che made out
the crouching figure OF . man examining
satchel which hung near washstand. Think
ing 1t was her husband looking for her money.
she called out:
Get back in bed. you fool: that is Martha's
pocketbook."
But her command produced an entirely DIFF
ferent effect from that anticipated. From the
darkness a gruff voice said:
I'm blow your brains out II you try to raise
a row.
At the sound OF the voices two other shadowy
figures entered tho room. pistols In hand and
wearing handkc rchiefs to conceal their faces
Approaching the bed with their weapons
raised. the three men threatened tho couple
with instant death II they attempted any out
cry. They then hauled Drier out Of bed. Tho
uproar aroused the servant girl. who occupied
an adjoining apartment, and she came run
ming into the room to be met with the glitter
ing muzzle OF revolver. Mrs Drier lay
trembling in bed while the intruders. with
their weapons against Driers hend. ordered
him to accompany ono OF their number into
tho saloon and open the safe. Fearing they
would murder her husband on tho spot. Mrs.
Drier besought them to spare his life volun-
teerlnC to open tho safe herself
"Oh. don't shoot my husband" she pleaded:
The doesn't know the cont inatIon. Let me
open the safe"
Two men were left on guard In the sleeping
room while the third intruder. who appeared
to be the leader placed his weapon against
Mrs. Drer's head and told her to lead on.
Their way led them through several rooms
into tho saloon and then into a cold hallway.
where the safe was. AS they passed through
each room the burglar carefully locked the
fear. Mrs. Drier sat down in The dismal hall
way; and with the weapon stu held against her
hsnd shook So that she failed each time to un
lock the iron box.
that sale or in Llow the roof OF your head
MY hand trembles So" said the frightened
Here" and the burglar seized her hand
md tried to steady it. let mo have your
At the same time no thrust his weapon into
Mrs. Driers mouth. This increased her
oh. I can't omen it." she said in despair
Then as the attitude of her raptor became
more thienteninG she eXclaimed
Leave me alone and III try to omen 1t. "
Retreating 10 the hall door. where he kept
the woman covered BY h. is weapon. the burglar
OrdsrCa her to the safe o she wsud
ceeded in swinging onen the iron doors. still
keeping her under. surveillance. the burglar
which Drier hal collected the day before from
his tenants After, satisfying himself there
q 9rs hs Mr Drer n
the lead as before. AS they entered the sleep
ing room Mrs; .Drier saw one Of the two in.
truders left behind standing in the door way
between her room and the servants with re-
voIycr in ea CHI hand covering 1rier and the
omen window by which they entered toying
with his pistol.
place, the thieves took their leave. threatening
to shoot the inmates Of the house should they
make any outcry 1t was not until some time
after the three burglars were clear OF the
house that Drier and his wife gave an alarm.
At daybreak it was found that the thieves
side window in Knott avenue Frnm indica-
tions in the barroom, they enjoyed themselves
sasses Wch m
punches were found standing on the bar.
which led Drier to suspect that five persons
were engaged in the raid. two who watched on
the outs side while the other three did the work.
From the saloon they made their way back
into the kitchen and. dropping out of n back
window. let thenlse into the yard. They
then went around and forced open the window
OF tho servant girls bedroom. and wore ran
sacking tho house when discovered Ivy Mrs.
Drier. Altogether they got more than $3.50 in
cash.
Tho Drers are inclined to think former
employee OF theirs was engaged in the raid.
thing that took place. even to the time indi-
Gated by the clock in tho saloon. which
showed 4:lJ O'Clock as she was marched
through the room ut the point of pistol. In
corroboraton Of the story the people living on
the floor overhead heard the intruders making
merry In the bnrroom before tho thrilling part
OF their visit was onacted, The leader Of tho
gang Mrs Drier describes as being tall and
wearing II derby hat and Prince Albert coat.
She says his companions addressed him as Joe.