Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1894-08-17
ROBBED OF $4,000
And His Barns Burned by the
Robbers.

an. Hank with the IntentiOn OF Buy
tr,o Farm---How the First Game
FaIIed---Burned His Barn and stole
the Money when MIR. Davis Ran out
from our regular correspondent
PUTNEY, Thursday, Aug 10.
A sensation was created here early this
morning by a report that Denison Davis
one of our prosperous farmers, who lives
inst outside the village limits toward west
minister West, was the victim Of $6OOO
bunco game, and that his barns had been
burned. -. Mr.. Davis was at first very reti-
cent about the matter, but talked freely at
later interview. Itappears that at about
10 o'clock last Saturday morning nicely
dressed man drove into Mr.. Davis's yard,
and. giving his name as JOslin, son of
Banker Joslin of Keene, n. H., stated that
he was a real estate agent and had been
recommended by a prominent keene man
TO come to him for assistance in selecting
suitable farms for which he was sure OF
ready sale.
He was apparently very sincere In his
plans and was glib of tongue, as all bunco
men are. He said he was here last fall and
asked If Mr.. Davis did not remember him,
to which Mr.. Davis, thinking that he rec
ocuized his face, replied that he guessed
he did remember him, which, Of course,
was in the bunco mans favor. He pre-
tended to be well acquainted with Mr.. Da-
vis's relatives, including his daughter in
Boston, and upon being questioned, with a
number of people in Reene with whom
Mr.. Davis was acquainted.
He wanted first to look at a farm just
above the bridge, farm which Mr.. Davis
sold to George Townsend about three
years ago. Accordingly the two men
drove to this farm and having given it a
thorough inspection II proved TO be mot
quite up to his expectations" and they re-
turned to Mr.. Davis's own place. "What
is your lowest price for this place" said
the bunco man. "Well," said Mr.. Davis,
~ have been asking $1,000 all along, but
for cash will sell for S4500."
VERY well, ;" said the bnnco man. 81
know OF a widow in Keene who has two
children and wants just such place as
this, which is small and has good school
accommodations and we will take it off
your hands in few days"
This is the substance of the dialogue
which took place at the house, though of
course it is somewhat condensed. So far,
so good; but here is where the bunco part
comes in. During the stay at the first
farm and while on their way back to Mr..
Davis's farm, the stranger said there was a
farm in East Putney the owners name is
withheld by request) which had been of
fered to him for $4,000, and a man in
Keene had agreed to give him $12, ZOO for
1t as soon as he had secured it. He thought
1t would be quite an easy way TO make
$1,000 apiece If each would put in $1,000
and realize $4,000 each from the sale.
With this alluring prospect in view the
two drove to Brattleboro in Joslin's team
and Mr. Davis went TO the Vermont ma
tional bank where he secured and drew the
required amount.
When about three miles above Brattle-
boro they met man wearing long dus-
ter and black hat. He was tall, of a
dark complexion, with black eyes, hair and
moustache. Mr.. Davis remembers seeing
the same man pass his house Saturday
morning.
Soon after they met this man the bunco
man seemed to have forgotten something,
and Informed Mr.. Davis that he had got
TO return to Brattleboro and do some tel
egraphing, but if ne would walk along
slowly he would overtake him in a short
time and carry him home. The bunco
man turned back with his team, while Mr..
Davis walked as far as Orrin Hayen's.
where he overlook Lorenzo Field of this
place, and rode home with him. IL is Mr..
Davis's opinion that "Joslin" intended to
return to the mali whom they passed, and
with his assistance to waylay Mr.. Davis
and take his money.
"Joslin" is described as Q man of about
80, OF medium build, full, smooth face and
CT light complexion. He wore black coat
and white straw hat, and had bay horse
ana top buggy. The man and team an
sWer the description of the Walpole team
that was stolen last week.
:. Joslln' agreed to return Tuesday, but
Gid not put in an appearance, and Mr..
Davis concluded that he would return the
money to the bank Thursday If he did not
come before then.
AT about IL 80 o'clock Wednesday night
Mr.. Davis was awakened by light in his
room, and looking out, saw that his barn
was on nre He yelled Sire" and went
out TO release fatted steer which was In
the barn, but the flames had spread so
quickly that he was unable to enter the
barn. He had been out but about twenty
minutes when it occurred TO him that al
was not right, and ne returned to the bonse
10 una the drawers of bureau in the din
ing room open, and tin box Containing
SoOOO missing = this being the $4,000 taken
from the bank, and an additional $1,000
Wnlch Mr.. Davis had in the bonse
whether the theft was made befora or
aiter the discovery of fire is a mystery. In
either case, the dog, which is an excellent
watch dog, was in the kitchen. which the
tnlet had to go through, but he did not
1, and has not acted naturally since
Inc entrance was made THROUGH n hacL
entry slide window from which The SCREEN
was torn. '0ieen
IL has been surmised by some thai the
money was taken from Mr.. Davis hsso,o
ne left the team on Saturday, but he siren
uously denies this, and says he looked ovar
ms money on Tuesday and knows If Vas e
Besides the steer mentioned there woro
burned 80 tons of hay, two wagons farm
ing TOOLS, etc. In addition to one mar
Darn, a corn barn, cattle shed ana Ian
mouse were burned. The nronart,, III III
hghtly insured through Sherman q ,ienn sS
mr. Davis's family consists at present 'l of
housekeeper, lady visitor and . b;ra ~
man The two men left the bonss at III
Il. H.