Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-12-10

Stripped a Butler Township Dwelling of
Its Furniture and HousehO Articles.
Was Seen with the Stolen Property and
Is Now n Fugitive from Justice.
The burglars who attempted to rob
several places here on Monday night
were not half so daring as "a man who
left Highland this week. The former
waited for the darkness of night to cover
their stealthy operations, but the fellow
who lived in our neighbhrng town en-
tered a house boldly in broad daylight
and helped himself to whatever took his
fancy Not only did he do this, but a
few days later returned to the scene
with a wagon and carried away almost
the entire contents of the dwelling.
The story OF this robbery can best
be told by stating that John and George
Hoffman, two brothers, live in Butler
township, out near Mt. Yeager They
each have IA farm, and during the year
frequently take their families to one
another's home and spend several weeks
together.
w NtthS dSo obhu. NibH us WHY
and children, locked up their home and
went to live with George. This they
had often done before, and no thought
of danger entered their minds, living, as
they do, in the lonesome Obey valley.
About the time John Hoffman went
visiting, letter came to Freeand post
office for Andrew Radasiewski, of High
land, notifying him that his wife had
left Hungary for this country, and re-
questing him to have Il house furnished
upon her arrival.
Radasiewski's credit is not at par in
the house furnishing establishments of
this town, nor in the company store at
Jeddo. Neither had he bank account
to draw upon, and he was at his wits
ends to devise some plan to provide his
spouse with Il furnished home.
TO relieve his feelings he went hunt
ing rabbits last Friday. He followed
the fleet-footed game over the mountain
back of Upper Lehigh, along the Nesco-
peck, and finally found himself near
Mt. Geager.
The modest little dwelling of John
Hoffman stood short distance from
the roadway. Seeing no signs of life
about the premises, Andrews curiosity
tempted him to go closer. He first
peered through the window. No one
was inside. Then he tried the door.
The feeble lock creaked and resisted his
efforts, but he soon gave it a push that
sent the insecure bolts from their fas-
Jennings. Stepping inside he found him
self in just tsuch Il home as he would like
to install his wife.
Then came another temptation, and
without much coaXing Andrew fell into
one of those suares which the evil one is
continually setting for men in trouble.
Here was an opportunity to obtain his
hearts desre-the furnishings for a
home-with but little trouble and at no
expense.
He accepted the situation as it stood,
and concluded to rob the Hoffman domi-
cile-but not then, as he alone could
not carry away all the necessary arti-
cles which he saw around him. How
ever, he filled his pockets with little
nick-nacks, as souvenirs of his first
trip, then departed.
Hurrying home, to the boarding house
of Joseph Croszinsky, he impaired the
details Of his scheme to few of his
fellowboarders. Their sympathetic ma
ture was touched when his dilemma and
the way out was explained, and they
readily agreed to assist him.
On Saturday they could not go, and ON
Sunday a moving might excite suspicion
in the farming district. But bright and
early on Monday morning Andrew hired
"a team aud away they went to the spot
where ready made furnished homes can
be had by breaking lock.
Arriving at the Hoffman home, the
robbers found everything as described
by their leader IIurriedly loading the
wagon with dishes, bed clothes, chairs,
tables, the clock and the sewing ma
chine, and such other furniture and
household articles as Radasewski de-
sired to possess, he prepared to return.
In the meantime, while the wagon was
being loaded, another hunter passed
that way. He took note of the extra
ordinary activity exhibited, and when
he reached Georges house he inquired
why the people on the farm above were
moving-a natural question, since farm
ers seldom move and any change made
is commented on.
George immediately told John, and
the latter started home to investigate
He arrived in time to see team, four
men aud load of his furniture turning
a bend in the road. Following the out
fit to Frccland, he here learned who the
driver was and where he lived.
A warrant for Radasicwsk and a
search warrant for the goods were pro-
cured, but in some manner Andrew got
an idea that he was wanted by the CON
stables of Freeand, and after deposit
ing the stolen goods in Croszinskys S
house he took to the woods.