The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1897-08-13
Onfrage I'm Mnnsfer.

| Outrage I'm Munster.
On Friday night, about o'clock four
| masked men, all wearing black cloths over
their faces, visited the farm house of
MeSsrs. Philip and John Dever. in Mum
ster township. and after demanding money
| and being refused. seized and bound the
two brothers as well as their nephew.
James w. Dever, of Altoona, VINO was
| there on a visit
Philip Dever is IS years of age and his
brother, John is 81. Philip is helpless
having had paralvtic stroke several
years ago and since that time has had no
use of his lower limbs. John is a well
preserved man for his years and the
nephew, james w, is about 30 years IF
age.
The burglars on entering the door which
was not locked, entered the room of Philip,
who was lying on bed, aud of the
men presented revolver at his head and
demanded his money. The other three
went to the next room where John and
James were sleeping. John grappelled
with the first to enter but was soon over
powered and he and his nephew were
brought out into the room with Philip.
There another demand for their money
took place, the Devers contendiEg that
know where the money was that they had
been paid for their coal right. The DeveIs
asserting that they had not yet received
the money for Il eli coal right and that il
would not be due until October.
They then tied Philip to the bed where
he was lying and seizing John. bound his
hands and feet and tied him to a stove.
They then bound the hands and feet of
..Ft nj hi
mouth and blindfoIding his eyes. pushed
him back on the bed with Philip. with his
back on the bed and his feet on the floor in
which position they securely tied him.
While lying on the bed James made
some effort To free himself, when one of the
men struck him in the face with a revol-
Yer. knocking out several of his teeth, cut
,ing an ugly cash in his face and shatler-
ing the jaw bone.
They then proceeded leiSurey to ranSack
the house, visiting every part Of il from
the cellar to the garret. empIying out
drawers, bureaus, cupboardS and in fact
turning over everything that would be
likely place To conceal money. They were
unsuccessful, however. in finding anything
except two silver watches belonging To the
two elder men and their two pOcketboUk>
change.
One Of the men then took a small stick
and lighting the end of ii held it under
Philips feet until they were blistered. but
the old man still insisted that he bad no
money. They then took lighted candle
and hOldingit under Johns arm. burned it
until it was in blisters. causing him To cry
out with agony and pain. To stile his
los in nf
held candles To different portions of his
body but without learning the whereabouts
of any money. The robbers then took
their departure, leaving their victims tied
as before mentioned.
Philip. in the course of an hour, succeed
ed in looSing one of the ropes that bound
his nephew, who was on the bed with him.
and he then succeeded ia getting entirely
free and IOoSeued the others.
They however, gave no alarm that night
and can give no description OF the men ex-
cept tina. one was about feet 10 inches in
heighth and of slender build while the
others were shorter and HEAVIER. They
kept their masks on during their entire.
stay in the house, which was about TWO
hours.
Philip and John Dever were born on the
farm and have resided there all their lives.
They are quiet innfTen>ive people, good
citizens aud il i to be hoped the wreicheS
who perpeIrat-d the outrage may be
brought To Justice.
James W. DeveT was taken To the Al
tOona hospital on Saturday evening where
his injuries were attended. several stitches
beingirequirrd To sew up The gaping wound
ii his face where he was struck with the
revolver. They had recently sold their
coal right but stated by them they had
not a. vet received the money, =. .6OU. which
was the booty the robbers were after.