Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1894-12-06
Battle of Rochester
The Capture of the Safe
Blowers.
The Wild West Outdone in
Vermont.
Flying Bullets and Wounded Men.
Flying Bullets and Wounded Men.
From Saturdays Rutland Herald.

From Saturdays Rutland Herald
The four desperadoes who blew
open and robbed the safe in the post
Office at Ticonderoga, N. V, Wednes-
day night were committed to the
house of correction in Rutland, Fri
day morning. As was told in Friday
mornings Herald, they were captured
in Rochester after making desperate
resistance, and only after two of them
had been disabled by pistol bullets.
Jesse James, Bill Dalton, Bob Cook.
/ or any of their gangs of Western des-
peradoes never fought more fiercely
for freedom, or with more deadly pur-
pose. To Constable Paul G. Think
ham of Rochester and his three as
sistants all praise is due for the hero
ism they showed while facing death on
the mountain highway on the cold af-
temoon of Thanksgiving Day, 1894.
The story of the pursuit and cap-
ture of the gang reads like a dime
novel;
After the bold break made at II
conderoga, the four burglars crossed
the icy waters of Lake Champlain TO
Larabee's Point, and, stealing hand
car, made their way into the state of
Vermont They finally abandoned
their hand car,and were seen al Bran
don depot. News of the robbery had
been telegraphed and telephoned to
Brandon, Rutland, etc, and the Off
GERS were on the alert.
Seeing that they attracted attention,
the men left the depot and started
towards Pittsford.
Deputy Sheriff Fletcher was soon
on their trail. 1t was found. how
ever, that the fellows had changed
their direction and the officers took
the back track and soon discovered
the fugitives had gone to Forestdale,
hired team from Liveryman Slavery
and started for Rochester News of
this discovery was teleeraphed TO that
town.
Constable Tinkham was at his ia
TIERS house, about n mile and half
beyond Rochester village, spending
Thanksgiving, when he received word
that four burglars were coming his
way, driven by Mr.. Savery, who, OF
course, was ignorant of the desperate
character of his passengers.
Mr.. Tinkham hurried to town and
in few minutes lac and Edgar Mar
tin, Ephraim Hoyt and Frank BARGE
low started in two single teams to
meet the team from Brandon.
TIE BATTLE.
About half way to West Rochester
they saw the party coming. II was
arranged that the team should stop
and that Constable Tinkham should /
alight, under pretense of having an err
rand with Mr.. Slavery. Then at his
signal, his companions were to assist
him in making the arrests. The Off
Ger and his party were armed with re-
volvers.
When the teams were close togeth-
err, Mr.. Tinkham hailed the driver of
the double load, and descended from
his buggy. Passing around to the"on'
side of MIR. Savery's team, lac stepped
between the wheels end told the oc-
cupants that he arrested them in the
name of the state of Vermont. They
asked "What for - and were told that
the officer would talk with them later
on.
Then, maintaining their bluff. they
demanded TO see the papers authorize
ing their arrest.
The officer drew his revolver and
said, "This is all the paper need
now"
Instantly the man who was the lead
n and spokesman Of the party sprang
10 his feet and drew a heavy revolver,
an example that was followed by each
IF his companions. The leader fired
hree shots at Mr.. Tinkham. Both
struck him in the left side, and his es-
ape from instant death was simply
One discharge set his fur
.oat afire, and one of the bullets was
'ound in his clothing after the battle
vas over. Neither bullet, however,
his vest, doubtless being
topped by watch and a box of car
ridges carried in the pockets on the ,
idle where the shots struck.
The other three thieves opened fire .
IN the companions of Mr.. Tinkham. |
The latter, who is a tall, supple, re-
mountaineer, reached up, :
nd selling his first assailant and the
'ther man who had sat on that side OF :
he wagon, jerked them to the ground. ,
Both men fought fiercely.
The officers Vermont muscle was /
90 much, however, for their valor !
orn of desperation, and he bore them /.
9th to the frozen ground, falling on {
Old of them.
A terrific struggle began. The Of
Ger could not use his revolver, while J
is opponents emptied their weapons, /
: opportunity offered, in his very j
ice. B
One bullet tore the skin from his a
heck, others punctured his clothing, /
mt, watching their motions as they
,lled and writhed beneath him, he n
edged their bullets sufficiently well 5