Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-10-05
RESIDENTS ARMlNG FOR PROTECTION

The Highlands and Vicinity Raided by |
Burglars, Monday Nigirt--rhree Houses |
and the Greenviile Postotfce Entered--
People Preparing to Give Thieves Hot |
Receptinn--The Luckless Postofiice
Great Attraction to Thieves.
a series of depredations were com
mitted in the Highlands and vicinity,
Monday night, which have caused some
alarm among the residents Of that
locality, and the craftsmen responsible
for the systematic robberies will be
given warm reception should they re-
turn to the community soon. There
were four robberies between 0 o'clock
Monday night and Q o'clock the fol-
lowing morning, but Notwithstanding
this fact very little booty was taken,
although a number of persons were
badly shaken up. The burglars were
evidently amateurs.
AGAIN THE PosToFFrcE.
Cracksmen could hardly pay a visit
to the community without breaking into
the Greenville postofl1ce, and Monday
night visit was paid to 1t as usual.
The cracksmeu forced an entrance to
the postofflce by smashing panel out
of the door which gave them free ac-
cess to the interior portions of the build
ing. Once inside, the work of drilling
hole through the safe door was begun
and considerable progress was made be-
fore the burglars were frightened of.
There is a burglar alarm under the door
mat which was set off when the bur-
glars entered the office. The alarm is
connected with the residence OF Assls-
II Lf,1t
AS soon as the latter heard the alarm
he dressed himself, shouldered double
barielled gun, alarmed the neighbor-
hood, and then made straight for the
scene of'action. of course it required
considerable time to prepare for the at
tack on the robbers, 1t being fully ~
minutes before Mr.. DeGodt arrived on
the scene, only to find that the birds had
| flown. His house is about 500 yards
from the postoiflce. They heard him
arousing his neighbors and fled.
When the attacking party arrived and
made an examination of the postofiice
they discovered hole partially drilled
in the safe. but as far as known nothing
else was disturbed. The presumption is
the burglars were after money. A pair
of laced shoes were left behind, also a
steel drill and can Of powder, which
the burglars evidently contemplated
using in blowing up the safe. They did
not return to complete the job.
A MAN IN HER ROOM.
About 11.30 O'Clock the same nigh
Mrs. Purdy, a domestic in the family Of
the Rev. Edwin Long, pastor of Greer
Hill Presbyterian Church, who lives OF
the Kennett pike, was aroused by somt
one in her bedroom. She called to Mr.
Long, whose room is across the hall
whereupon the burglars were frightened
off without obtaining any booty, Al
entrance was effected by climbing on TIL
shed roof and into Mrs. Purdy's bed
room through the window. When TIL
woman screamed, one of the men, VIII
was already in the room, made hi
: escape through the window. His &C
complete was standing on the lawn be
| meath the window. By the time Mi
Long had dressed himself and hastene
down stairs the burglars had disaI
| peared. Nothing was missed from th
bedroom.
5 MADE THEMSELVES AT HOME.
The house of William r. Brinkle wa
entered the same night, and an entranc
was effected through the servants bee
= room. The burglars made themselyt
at ease about the house and helpe
i themselves to cold meat and some pr
> visions in the refrigerator down stair
:. They then returned to the room of th
q servants, who in the meantime wei
awakened and gave the alarm. II
= burglars fed by jumping from Il
e second-story window. Nothing of valI
was taken. Mr.. Brinkle fired sever
z shots at the fugitives, but without etfeC
THREATENED TO KILL HER.
l. At the residence of John s. Miller,
the Highlands, the burglars made the
appearance about Q o'clock Tuesdt
: morning. Miss Maize, Miller W
awakened by something touching h
ct hand. She attempted to, brush 1t o
u and TO her amazement discovered ms
at the end of the object. The maraud
. told her not to make any noise or
" would kill her. Miss Miller immediate
disobeyed the mandate by screaming
!. the top of her voice. Her screamil
y, aroused the household and the nocturn
visitor made his escape. He attempts
It, to make way with suit Of Mr.. Millel
q. clothes, but his plans were lnterfer
with and he beat hasty retreat. +
II, companion ransacked the rooms on
rs' first floor and when the alarm W
y. given both intruders fled. Mr.. Mil
hurried to window and fired sevei
I'M pistol bullets at the fleeing forms,
or. as no strange bodies were observed
re- the lawn the next morning it is fair
presume the bullets went wide OF tn
- mark.
-. Mr.. Miller has reloaded his firear
or and will give the burglars warm
532 ception should they return, while
er, Brinkle purchased q double-barrel
shotgun this morning, and will I
l. deayor to wing the culprits at long ran
Al. TEMPTATION TO BURGLARS.
,sn There have been seven robberies a
= attempted robberies at the Greenv
postoffice during the past three yea
Three burglars have been captured
entering this place and each one
he them has been convicted and serve
term of imprisonment. January IL
OF 1891, David johnson, colored, was c.
W., victed of burglary at the postofflce Q
mic served one year in New Castle j
April 14th, of the following VI
led Thomas Is. Norcross was convicted
nt similar offence and was sent up
one year in the Kings county pc
ND tertiary, Brooklyn. Norcross and Jo
all son were captured red.handed ;
vas brought TO the police station in
city by Assistant Postmaster DEG
ace and his neighbors. The Norcross I
VIII berry had hardly been disposed of wi
Thomas jackson was captured in
ant nf rohhinu Irnp1a Sam at the az