The Portland daily press., 1893-07-26
COOL BURGLARS THESE.
Thery Ate a Good Lunch and Sam.
Piled Mr.. ]. s. Rieker's Cigars.
THEIR MIDNIGHT VISIT MELTED
THEM ABOUT $500.

Neither the Burglars Nor the Watch Dog
Disturbed the Household-The Visitors
Entered the House by Using False Keys
Their Methods Are in Some Respects
Similar to Those of the Men Who Re-
Gently Robbed the Woodfords Post
Office.
Monday evening there was another Of
the mysterious cases of burglary for
which the State of Maine is getting to be
entirely too famous. Within the last
few months there has been series of
like burglaries. The post Office robbery
at Woodfords, the series of bold bur
glaries along the coost, and more recent
ly operations of like nature inland, will
be recalled. In every instance within
the past six months, or more, the burglar,
or burglars, the individual, or the ''gang"
just as best happens to suit your theory,
have proceeded in way that recalls
nothing on earth so much as the famous
tour of Mark Twain through Europe, the
time he assembled the mountain by aid of
spy glass. "Calmness' doesn't describe
the apparently natural state of the pecu-
liar burglars of Maine, and their cheek
recalls the drummer who entered car
every seat of which was empty save one,
and that occupied by young lady,
marched up to that, raised his hat and
said: BEG pardon, is this seat en-
gaged?'
Monday evening about 10 o'clock the
family of Mr.. J. S. Kicker, at Wood
fords, retired to their rooms. Mr.. Kicker
was not at home, and the house was oc-
cupied for the night by Mrs. Kicker, Miss
Florence Kicker and Mrs. Hobson. They
were not aroused during the night, and
apparently, he has not been directly in
terviewed on the subject, a big mastiff
who has the run of the grounds was not
disturbed either.
The story of the night must be largely
matter of circumstantial evidence.
Judging by all the evidence left behind,
the burglars entered by way of the
kitchen door, and at once drew down
the shades. That done there was no
reason why the gas should not have been
lighted, and it probably was. Then the
burglars, there was too much food con-
sumed for one, seem to have calmly pro-
ceeded to lunch. The dining table was
used by them, and their lunch set out
neatly. They had the advantage of a
nice silver service, and liked it SO well
that they took it away with them. Right
here they made their mistake.
They Took Solid Silver for Plated,
and failed to carry away dozen forks.
They broke one and seemed to have con-
cluded that it was plated, and therefore,
not good enough for them.
The rest of the silver SER
vice stored in the pantry they
captured, and then proceeded to the
sitting room, where they stole property
money can't replace. Mrs. Hobson had
expected company that evening, but
they did not come. Her tea things were
set out in readiness. There were valu-
able souvenir spoons bon-bon dishes. ice
cream set, &c. Many of them were
priced highly because they had been
brought from Europe. The thieves had
taken all these. They had poured the
sugar on the floor and had taken the
sugar bowl, as well as other articles
which are missed, but all Of which can
not at once be mentioned.
Mr.. Ricker's room was visited, and his
clothes thoroughly overhauled. His
desk was forced, and the papers scat
tered about. The thieves overlooked a
box of valuable coins, not taking much
interest in such things perhaps. They
did take kindly to a box of fine cigars,
but did not try to open the safe.
1t will be recalled that the burglar
who entered the post office at Wood
fords, did not force the outside locks at
all but unlocked the doors. The Kicker
mansion was entered the same way, the
burglars having supply of keys, or in
some way unlocking doors at will. I'm
less the dog is entirely worthless he
must have known them well enough not
to bark, or else no one was aroused if he
did bark.
Chief Berry of the Deering police was
informed of the burglary and examined
the premises. Deputies Sterling and
Hartnett of this city were later called in,
and examined the premises, but about
all the three could do was to admire the
mastery way the burglars went through
the house, and to feel warm desire to
make their acquaintance.