The Democratic advocate., 1895-01-26
BURGLARY AND MUSIC.
Having Pillaged House, Thieves
Hold Musicale
Raltimore Herald OF Tuesday.

Pikesville was visited by gang of robbers
early yesterday morning, and as consequence
the inhabitants of the little village were thrown
into state of turmoil and terror.
About u. 40 o clock the town was, as usual
at that hour, almost as quiet as a churchyard.
Five men shambled down the Pikesville road
from the direction of Townsville. They halt
ed in front of William Myersly's stable, on
the outskirts of the village, and held con-
sultation Myersly was aroused by the bark
ing of his dogs He looked out the window
to see what was up. The men started off
quickly, and Myersly returned to his room and
to bed.
Asbury Watts keeps grocery store about a
quarter Of mile farther down the road Ad-
joining the grocery is his dwelling, two story
and a-half frame house. About l o clock
Watts was aroused from his slumber by a
noise, which he says he thought was an ex-
plosion. His wife was also awakened.
Watts got ont of bed and went TO the rear
of the house, as the sound seemed to come
from that direction. His wife hurried to the
front door of the bedroom, which opens into
the hall which leads downstairs. She heard
a noise in the hallway
NEVER MIND YOUR PAPAI'
Papa, is that you?' she asked. Never
mind your pap, came the reply, I'VE will
take care of him. Peering over the banis-
tiers she was almost frightened speeches. at
seeing four men coming toward her up the
stairs She rushed into room. bolted the
door and stood with her back against it, The
men came on up the stairs. and the leader.
/ placing his shoulder against the door, gave it
shove, which broke the fastening.
Mrs. Watts was confronted by a tall man
wearing a mask. He had a pistol in each
hand. The burglar commanded her To go into
( the bedroom. She obeyed
The husband by this time had gotten to the
front of the house again. Seeing the four men
enter he ran To his sleeping apartments for
his pistol. His revolver was under his pillow
As he stopped over 10 get the weapon the
leader Of the gang struck him blow in the
back Of the head with the butt Of pistol.
Watts managed, however, to hold on TO his
weapon, though the blow feled him. He re-
gained his feet and pointed the pistol straight
IN the face Of the nearest burglar. The high
wayman, however. was too quick for Waits.
who was still partially stunned from the blow
As the latter pulled the trigger the leader
knocked his arm up and the ball penetrated
the wall at the head Of the bed
ovERPowEREp At LAST.
The four men then crowded around Watts
and took the weapon from him. HI, Eve
children, who were asleep in different parts
of the house, had by this time been aroused.
They fastened to their parents bed chamber
They we're all covered by the pistols of the
four eraeksmen, who had two weapons apiece.
aud commanded TO remain silent
We want money, exclaimed the leader
gruifiy. THAT Is what we come for. and Ne
are going to have it. lfyoa don't keep quiet
we intend to Kill the last one Of you. ''
Unarmed and deienseless the frightened
had hsse
orders. One Of the four men. with a pistol in
each hand, was placed rs guard over the ter
ror-stricken people. who were hRddlea to-
getheT in one room, while the other three
burglars proceeded 10 ransack the house
They went throagh every drawer in the bureau.
aud took therefrom everything which struck
their fancy.
One of the drawers In which the jeuelry va,
kept was locked. They began preparations 30
break the drawer open. but finally asked for
the key. which was gwen 10 them by the
daughter, Miss Stella. Each room IN the
house was visited. Every place was thorough
ly searched. Money was undoubtedly what
they we're after. but failing 10 find any the
leader again called on Watts tn know where
be kept his money.
''You are a harr exclaimed the
spokesman Of the despcradOes. SHOW us
where that -, 4O0i, or We u murder every last
one Of you.
= haven got -, 4oO. '' said Watts. calmly.
wish had
YES you have. was the quick retors
You sold piece Of property the other dny
far that amount
Watts again assured the men thar be had
not sold any property.
Don't you oWn two hotels and lot of
property around hereg asked one q the burg
Lars.
Again Watts told then that they Were mis-
taken. tina; il was a ne ghhor by the name Of
Pfefier farther up the ROAD Who they evidently
meant
.'Aiu't your name Pfeserg'' inquired the
leader.
NY name rs AsbHry Watts.
Well. III be d-d. boys. we We struck
the wrong place. came from the spokesman
We'll. vel take what Won We got any
way, he continued; 80 boys. help your-
self
Another search Was begun lry the robbers
aud every room visited once more. rwo new
suits of clothes belonging to Watts sons were
stolen. tao gold rings one gold too,hpiek aud
two gold chains we're alsn pocke,ed. The two
suits Of clothes were taken downstairs. and
after lighting a lamp IN the parlor. the burg
lars proceeded to 1T themselves out ia the
stolen articles.
THY PLAYED oN THE MANDOLIN.
Ia the parlor. where the lightning change
in attire was made. the men left two pairs of
corduroy trousers, pair Of striped suuif- f-cnlor
ed frousers. dark sack coat almo,t new.
cardigan Jacket. > nair of socks aud two rpd
EaHdkerchiefs.
After the eracksnea had rugged themselves
cat. the leader agaiu visited Watts aud de-
manded money. Watts told them once more
he had 40 cash. aud the robbers remarked:
Well guess We have been misdireetei.
This job didn't pan cut very well. Maybe
yoa ve GOT that money IN the store, b. con
iinued. '-Give me the KEYS unless you want
the door battered down
Watts said he kneW they would get IN. aud.
rather than have his property destroyed. be
gave them the KEYS. leaving one Of the party
20 guard the family with two pistols. three of
them proceeded 10 the store adjoining the
dwelling. Shortly one OF the trio returned and
told the one on guard 10 60 down and help
himself. While the relief kept watch the first
guard joined his companions.
Finally they returned 20 the parlor aud from
the sounds which we're heard bv the family
the burglars were evidently having q good
time. One Of the men was pretty good mn
stefan, 50 Miss Waits says, as he played several
selections ON a mandolin which was found on
the p0rl0r fable. % the tune uf " = " ON {
Go Home Till Morning another of the gang
danced 50 vigorously as to knock down large
picture Of President Cleveland which hung on
the wall
The musical burglar took the mandolin up.
stairs and inquired who owned it. The daugh.
ter answered that il was the property of a
friend from whom she bad borrowed il. She
begged them not TO take IT,
''All right, answered the man. n guess
You would have TO pay for II il took il. and
you know ! don't want you to do that.
\ PARTING WORD.
The leadear reappeared.
Now, look here, old man. he said, I'VE re
going 10 quit you and don't want any of you
To leave this house or attempt Ia give an alarm
before daybreak. We are going to leave some
Of the boys about here, and If you do try il
We II come back and--Ill leave you to guess
the rest I'd like though, he continued, ITO
get Just one shot al that big - Policeman
DOYLE.
With these few remarks he called Come
on, boys! and the midnight maauders left
the house.
After they had gotten well off the premises.
Cardiff one of the sons Of the groceryman.
slipped down to the door and peered ont The
four men had been joined BY fifth. They
were standing in the road apparently n-
decided which way to go. They happened to
see young Watts at the door. and one of them
leveling his pistol, exclaimed:
Take your id head in there or I'll blow
IT off =
4. The thieves then started down the road in