The Newtown bee., 1895-11-29

AT SANDY HOOK.-JEwELER sNIFFEN.s
STORE VISITED But THE BURGLAR
ALARM GAVE NTIMATIoN OF TEE
PRESENCE OF THE BURGLARS, AND
THEY WERE CAPTURED.
What appears to have been q bungling
attempt at burglary happened at Sandy
Hook, last week Friday night, when
three tramps entered the jewelry store
OF w. B. Sniffen and were caught in the
act Of pilfering the store. 1t was about
1.3O at night when Jeweler Sniffen was
awakened by the ringing of the burglar
alarm which connects his house and
store. Hastily dressing and awakening
his son, Birdsey, together they started
for the store well armed and taking a
lantern with them. They stopped at
Edward Taylor's hotel and awakened
Mr. Taylor. telling him that the alarm
had sounded and asking him to be ON
the lookout and If they wanted him they
would give the signal. They then pro-
ceeded on down to the store, and found
the door securely fastened, as it had
been left the night before. On exami-
nation Of the windows it was found that
a light had been broken out and some
one had entered the building. Stepping
back out into the road he swung tie
lantern as signal to Mr. Taylor for as
sistance and placed it so that he COM
maHded view Of both sides of the
building and stood guard. 1t was but a
short time until Mr. Taylor and his son,
George, and c. W. Dayton arrived on
the scene and being thus reinforced Mr.
Snifien unlocked the store door and
went in. On examination he found sxo
men crouched down under the window
bench, who, when discovered, threw up
their hands willingly. Ropes were se-
cured and their hands.were tied, while
some one was dispatched for Constable
Josiah Tillson to take the men in Gus
tody. In the meantime George Taylor
and Mr. Dayton had found a man outside
who they judged belonged to the gang and
he was brought in and made secure with
the rest. Quite number Of Sandy Hook
ers turned out before the scene was
ended and Constable Tillson and several
others staid at the store for the night
where the men were held prisoners. On
examination Of the store it was found
that the men had collected pile Of sill
verware together and put some napkin
rings and small silver watches in their
pockets to take away with them. They
very evidently were not professionals
only ordinary tramps, for they had no
tools with which to crack the safe, and
made no effort to escape when appre-
| hended. Saturday morning they were
brought before Justice Dayton, who,
after hearing, found probable cause
and bound them over for trial before the
Superior court under $1,000 bonds, in de-
fault Of which they were landed in
Bridgeport jail. Attorney w. J. Beech.
er prosecuted for the state. The prison.
ers gave the names of James Fuller OF
Providence, Charles Harvey of Dover
N. H., and Andrew Ferguson OF Mont.
real. They were all young and hard
looking set. Mr. Sniffen is well pleased
with the burglar alarm system which he
has placed in his store and the way the
Sandy Hook people respond when called
on to: do. police duty. 1t is q notabl,
fact :that but one successful burglary
has been perpetrated in Sandy Hook il
20 years, although it has been repeated
ly tried, but with failure in each In
stance, as the burglars have been appre
hended.