New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-06
THREATS OF DEATH BY FIRE
STRANGE ACTIONS OF BURGLARS ON
STATEN ISLAND

A DOORWAY BETWEEN TWO RoOMs-AN OLD
WATCH AND FEW DOLLARS TAKEN
FROM AN AGED COUPLE UNDER
PECULIAR CIRCUMSTANCES.
Two burglars who must have been familiar with
the habits and surroundings OF the people they
robbed forced an entrance into the house OF David
r. Ryers at Grant City. Staten Island. in the early
hours 0: yesterday morning, and forced Mrs. Ryers
10 give up all tho money In the house
Mr.. Rycrs Is aged man. and to the infrmity
Of age is added the helpessness of a cripple. HIS
wife also old and feeble They live alone In their
home in Grant City. The house is situated in a
lonely place. some distance from the home OF the
nearest nelshbor The old couple are not rich. but
there are those who have believed they had money
hidden away.
Although the article most dear to her and treas
ured by her keepsake was handed by the
woman 10 one of the burglars. she did not see the
men, nor she able 10 give any clew that Will lead
to their capture. Her husband was unable to rise
from his bed and lay helpless while the robbers
threatened him and his wife
The old couple were awakened first by the noise
Of men in the adjoining the one they were
In II was between l and o'clock in the morn
ing The men were making no effort 10 conceal
the fact that they were in the house. They mad
forced the rear window. and through this had
craWled into the building. They went about open
ing drawers and talking as they made their search'
Mr., Ryers, being awakened, GeHldlueu W hi'""
who was there. He told to shut up. men
he again demanded to know what was wanted one
of the two men in the adjoining room threatened
10 burn the house unless Mr. Ryers ceased 10
talk After a time. during which the old people
heard the search proceeding one OF the men al
dressed Mr. Ryers. II was demand Tor money
Mr. Ryers replied that there wasn't any IN the
house He was cursed for this, and the demand
made that all the money and all that was ValuaDie
should at once be surrendered. The threat to burn
the house was again made. Mr.. Ryers became I'm,
dollars in the house They demanded this. and were
told where to get IT, The amo9nt' as AS ear o ms
Mr.. Ryers can remember, was - 20 l. ne S 9I C0n
pie heard the men go for me m3ney ann Sppe
they would depart satlsed t 3ut ever 10 obtain
booty. They made all kinds OF tnreatS 'nf c, nv
of De Wh IN was Th ,S WORKED upon their until
Mrs Ryers told them that the only t ne o, v"ne
~ Mr. Ryers. knowing the value his wife
set upon the ANCIENT tmep deE T9Fn wears ago
fold them they could not have IT,.
All this time the men remained IN tne rS snd Ibe
conveTsation was carried on through doGTW Ha
The doGr Of which wa sr ePnh ad been again
that the house would be burned MIS- Ryers 70
bureau took the old watch out and passed to tine
robber who stood at o the Ss She ala not see
him nor did she his hand. so she does not Kno"
S ne was wt a more threats as to what they would do
attempt to give an alarm was mage .e ne ny
The stolen watch had IT Mrs Ryerss n'ia ,b
watch than the money. and yesterday both said
they would have been satisfied If the men had taken
The police say they have clew TO the robbers;
The PSSos sR SAY
have little trouble in escaping NOTICE IN the SrowGS
TO and from Midland Beach The police believe the
robbery was the work Of some one bn LYING IN 5he
studied the life OF the old couple