Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-03-21
GANG OF ROBBERS AT WORK
Their Daring Raid at the Web
ster Homestead.
MADE A BIG HAUL OF PLUMBER
Suspicious Facts That Have
Come to Light.

Local suspects Seen Lounging Around,
and Strangers, Evidently Philadelphia
OrooIS, With 1hem--Two Escaped Pris-
oners Relieved to be Part ofthe Gang
Doubtless Guilty of Many RObberies.
Yesterday morning week some time be-
tween midnight and daylight, the old
Webster homestead, which is situated on
lonely roadway u short distance back of
Shellput Park, was entered BY burglars,
who transacted the premises and carried
of everything Of value that could be
found. The plumber consisted Of meney,
silverware, clothing and provisions, aud
while its intrinsic value was not very
great II must have been u bulky load, and
the belief is that the robbery was the work
OF several persons.
An entrance was gained to tho house by
breaking in cellar door which leads to
the yard, Once in the cellar it was an
easy matter 10 reach the other parts OF the
building, Us there were no locked doors on
the INSIDE of the house.
1t is not known whether the marauhels
Went above the first story or not. as they
took the rrecauton 10 tasten both of the
doors leading upstairs. one Of the doors
has a deidlatch, which was sprung, and in
the common latch ON the other door was
thrust table fork, which held IL securely
shut
The ouly occupants Of the house We're
John Webster, man about NJ years Of
age, and an invalid sister, Miss Mary
Webster who were both asleep i'll the
second story at the time of the robbery.
Mr., Webster says he did not hear any
strange noises in the house during the
night, hut his invalid sister says she heard
something, but thought it was her brother
and paid little attention to it. The first
either one uf them knew of the robbery
was when Mr., Webster came down stairs
in the morning and found both stair
doors locked.
A search Of the premises was then made.
hut rs nothing was found to have been
disturbed Upstairs il is presumed that the
operations OF the thieves were mainly on
the first floor, where everything was upside
down, and It was evident that that portion
OF the building had been thoroughly ram
sacked.
In the cellar also things were found
scattered about and great deal of pro-
visions, including meat, bread and butter,
Was missing. Among the silverware stolen
was set OF Spoons marked with the
initials M" and w. which were Vefy
highly priced by Mr.. Webster and his
sister, on account Uf family associations,
Clothing was taken from both Mr.. and
Miss Webster. aud all manner Of trinkets
were carried of.
This robbery was the second one that has
occurred at the Webster house within few
days.
Friday night week, or early the following
morning, tho chicken yard was visited and
all the chickens. excepting one rooster.
were tuken. Fifteen iii all were carried off.
On that occasion the thieves removed
staple from the door uf the coop and sue
ceeded in accomplishing their liandsh
purpose unmnGsted. As in the case of
the last robbery, Mr.. Webster did not
hear the miSureants and did not know of
the robbery until daylight, when lie went
out to feed the chickens and found all but
one of them gone.
Several of Mr.. Wcbster's neighhors have
been visited hy chicken thieves lately. and
some of them have suffered heavier losses
than him.
The lonely situation of the Webster farm
and the extreme difficulty with when it
can be reached at night, gives the i'm
preston that the robberies have been the
work of people who are thoroughly
familiar with the premises and their sur
ruundingS,
While Mr.. Webster could advance no
idea that would lead TO clue, q reporter
of The GAZETTE succeeded in learning
that q band of noted criminals have been
in the city for several days, kut how much
longer could, of GOlrsu, not be IscertainGd.
The fact that tWunf the criminals, who
have been steering the gang about are
former residents Of BrandvWine village or
the contiguous territory. leads to the belief
that the Webster, Wilhanks and other
rubDeries, which have reGeNt.y occurred in
the Ninth ward and the country adjacent
to Eastlake, have been pprpuiratcd by mem
bcrs OF this gang.
The two men referred to have done time
in New Castle jail bat haze been away
from the City iur sumo time. Both men
were III Price Bellevue Hotel. 1T Twenty
third and Market streets. on Tuesday week
and one Of them was III town the next
day, roaming about the Ninth ward and
looking rs II he We're trying to dodge the
police.
1t is presumed that both nG these men
have been III Philadelphia oil and on Tor
some time, and il is generally believed that
they have LAID plans in that city for burg
larlinG places here aud have come down
at different timt- unnuuCci. ....
TWO strangers WGrG with the men mt
Price Hotel Tuesday week and on Wadnes-
day one Of the Wilmington men was seen
Oh the street with ms partner This
Tact heighlens the belief that they are CO.
operating with an organized gang who
have tie base Of their operations In some
other city, While the accepted opinion Is
that tho rUbbcries have been committed nv
these men, there IS nothing known about
their actions definite enough To warrant
their arrest, or ~ least they have not us
yet been taken ia custody.
The sudden appearances Of the two local
men and the two strangers IN liraHdyNinG
| village On the eve of tie Webster robbery,
! and the fact that one Of the former has
| elLdcd thG police and his companion has