The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-23
FOUGHT HORSE THIEVES.
Desperate sTRUGaLB IN A BARN
NEAR BRIDGEPORT.

Lewis q. Noyes nnd Hts Frank
Reid, Snrprise Two Thieves In Asr.
Noyes's Barn-The Robbers Throw Up
Their Hands, but Escape After "a light.
BRIDGEPORT. Conn.,, Nov. 22.-Early this
morning an attempt was made TO steel tho
valuable horses OF Lewis G. Noyes Mt the sta
bles at his country house on the Trumbu.i sc..i
about four miles north of this city. The rob
bers were discovered at their work, and n
fight followed, during which Mr.. Noyes was
knocked s~onseloss with the butt end Of a re-
volver. The young man who was with him was
no match for the two robbers, so they made
their escape.
About midnight Mr.. Moves was awakened by
tho barking of q watchdog. Thinking that
robbers might be around, he awakened Frank
Reid. his nephew. The two mon waited for
some time In the house, but heard no noise.
They determined TO keep watch, and about an
hour later saw two men go toward the barn
from n cluinp OF bushes by the roadside. With.
out delay they forced open a window on tho
eide of the barn and were soon inside. This
time the watchdog did not bark, but stood by
wagging his tail, watching the men enter the
barn.
Noyes, who is an old man, and Reid waited
until the mon were inside the barn. Aiming
themselves with revolvers and taking a lantern
Win " buHue On 10, Jney W0uU 10 the DuTn. helU
stood guard at tho window through which the
burglars entered, while Noyes went to the
door. At q signal Noycs opened tho door
and darted in, and young Reid sprang through
the window. The two burglars were taken
completely by surprise. They were just blan-
ketinR the feet of one CT Noyess valuable
horses so as to lead IL out Of the barn without
making q noise. Noyes and Reid both had
drawn revolvers, and the stern command of
Noyes. Throw up your hands," was promptly
obeyed. by the two men.
shade from the lantern. 1t gave little light,
but sufficient to see that the two robbers would
more p powerful than Noyes or Reid. The man
keid was covering stood for u minute and
the next a@ sh ins ssmtq he ans R sbid5a wcr ,or eSsaaea I'm in
q rough and tumble fight on the barn floor.
;Noyes held his man better. He kept his hands
toward Noyes. The robher in n pleading voice
arologized, to Noyes for being in the barn. and
said that he and his pal We're on their way to
sleep.
Noyes pointed to the blanketcd feet OF the
horses and. took n firlner grip on his revolver.
Reid and the other robber were struggling on
the floor OF the barn. first one on top and then
his revolver, and the robber did not use his IL
he Ind one. Noyes glanced at the two men
qEnt: sprai Srd o G%isr as and I s n1sn the the D Ot1 ! 0p Nt
the same time he kicked over the lantern and
lett everything In darkness.
the struggle between Noycs and the robber
IS short. The robber secured tho pistol. and
the butt of il dealt the old man a blow on
the head and knocked him senseless to the
floor. REID. who was still struggling with his
man. heard the groan. and the fail OF Noyes.
I've hxed him all right" said Noyes's as
sailant 20 the other man. wow, break away
and we'll get out"
The robber was getting the better of Reid.
AID when a moment later II chance came the
latter broke away and made his way to the
hay loft. One OF the robbers fired n shot in
the direction Reid went. but IL did not hit him.
The two men ran out OF the barn. This
time the watchdog barked and followed them
several hundred feet down tho road. The
barking of the dog and the pistol shot aroused
the other inmates OF the house. and Miss Net
tie Noyes. daughter OF Mr.. Noyes. seeing tho
door open. ran to the barn. A light was
brought, and when Reid came down from the
hay loft Noyes was found lying on the barn
floor still unconscious and with q deep cash
over his right eye, He was taken to the house
and revived after some time. Reid escared
without other injuries than a few bruises
received during the struggle on the barn floor.
After the fight was over and the robbers
had gone tho occupants OF n house about 500
feet away and other peighbors anne up. For
a time there was great excitement occasioned
by the report that Mr.. So,e s was lead. Mrs.
was Frustrated by tn shock and excite
msnt, but Noyes says he Is all right. and ready
to tackle horse thieves at any time they may
appear.