Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-04-22
MASKED MEN ENTER THE
HOME OF BLAKESLEYS.
Owners of the Famous Oil Land
.,-.s--. Near Findlay.
Tspecial Telegram to the Blade.

FINDLAY, O., April 1.-THE most
sensational robbery that has occurr-
ed in Hancock county since the ia
nous Oman robbery of eight years
ago, took place last night. The resi-
dence of the famous Blakesley fami-
.ly, at the junction of two prominent
highways three miles due west from
the,court house, was broken into by
a dozen masked robbers, who are
supposed to have obtained nearly
$5, 1000 for their trouble. John Blakes-
lev was beaten into oinsensibility, and
is in a critical condition, while the
three other members of the family
have badly burned feet as the result of
torture.
Blakesley family consists of Mrs.
Rebecca Blakesley, her daughter
Eliza and two sons, Smith and John,
their ages ranging from 30 to 40 years.
They live in little dilapidated one
story house, situated on farm of
400 acres, in the heart of the richest
oil territory in Hancock county.
They are very hard-working people
and seldom spend money, and for
20 years have been popularly sup
posed to be boarding up money
about their house. The sum is sup
posed to be about $4,000.
At 3 o'clock this morning the family were
awakened by the breaking in of the outside
door of their home, which was forced by an
ax.9 Then twelve masked men rushed into
the house and entered the bed room where
mother, daughter and two sons were sleep
| ing in two beds in the one room.
fNha man apraup ont of he'd. but before
they could grasp their rifle and shot gun
which stood in one corner, the robbers,
who appeared we'll acquainted with the
place, had secured the weapons. Tho two
Blakesleys then attempted fight, but were
overpowered. A number of murderous
blows were inflicted upon the head of John
who sank insensible to the floor, whit
Smith was laid out by blow which cut his
head open.
The two men were then bound hand ani
foot with hammock ropes, which the rob
bers brought with them. The two women
were also bound in a similar manner.
| The men all had half masks over theil
faces and carried lomotiye torches. While
several men stood guard outside seven oi
them engaged in a search of the premises
They at first found nothing. Baffied and
angry they applied their torches to the feet
of old Mrs. b akesley. Eliza and Smith tc
force them to reveal the hiding place Il
their money. The victims of this cruelty
stood the torture bravely and never finched
They insisted there was no money about
the house. After burning the soles of theil
feet in horrible manner the robbers de-
sisted and made another search. They lit
orally tore everything to pieces. The scanty
furniture was overhauled and broken up
Every article of wearing apparel searched
and the boards of the bare floor torn up il
the search for money.
Finally In tearing up one of the old bu
reau drawers a secret hiding place wal
found, and large sum of money discover
cd. How much this was is not accurately
known. The family insist it was not $500,
but friends who know the family well, as
sert it was not less than 5000.
When the robbers quit, after thorough
ransacking of the house, the interior looket
"a though a cyclone had torn back ant
forth through it. The robbers left after al
hours search, and shortly afterwards Eliz
managed to loosen her bonds aud then re
leased the others. Neighbors was arousel
and medical help summoned from the city
John Blakesley was found to be in criti
cal condition, with blood gushing from hi
nostrils and ears, and other evidences of in
terror injuries to his head. The physician
do not think he can live.
badly burned feet. The robbers left n
clue, but the ia mily believe they ecognize
a couple of we'll known local sports. 1t
certain the leaders were we'll acquainte
with the premises.
The Sheriff aud police force are at worl
and hope to discover some clue that wi
} lead to the detection OF the robbers. Th
commissioners have offered a reward G
S100 head for the robbers.
/ The Blakesleys are peculiar people. Neal
ly every oil operator who has ever been
@ Ohio has tried to secure lease upon tt
: farm, but the Blakesleys would not lease
. nor operate it themselves. Ten thou'an
, dollars in gold has been piled up on the
: rable and offered as bonus for lease, br
Y the offers were refused.
t A short time ago an effort was made
secure a lease by having a guardian al
pointed for John Blakesley, who is ives
n minded, but the effort was defeated in Il
probate and common pleas courts, and
now in the circuit court upen an appeal.
n of these matters have heightened the publ
4 interest in the Blakesleys and made them ,
' object Of common talk, and their frien
have feared they would be robbed.