The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-01-19
ROBBERY AND IRSON.
Narrow Escape OF Four Persons From
Death Yesterday Morning.

-Four persons came near losing their
lives early yesterday morning. as re-
suit OF the attempt OF burglars to hide
their nefariors work by means Of FIRE.
Shortly before o'clock Ina the morn
ing masked men effected an entrance TO
the store OF Mrs. T. s. VIM. at ISIS east
Main street. while the occupants 81 the
building were sleeping sOundiy. The men
did their work like professionals. and not
sound warned the slecpcrs of the pres
ence OF the maraudcrs.
\ panel was sawed out Of tho rear door.
the Key softly turned, and tho robbers en-
tered. \ dark lantern was brought into
requisition and the premises carefully
searched. \ large trunk In the corner at
tracted the attention OF the burglars and
they forced 10 open with ncatness and
dispatch. Within the trunk was SIS. which
they TOOK possession Of. Further search
failed 10 disclose anything OF value. and
the robbers prepared 10 so.
Let's set the place on fire. suggested
one, 'We got so little money out OF this
haul that We might a. well have some
Fun out Of IT,"
This plan met the warmest approval or
the others, and was quickly carried into
effect OH was poured over the contents
a. tho trunk, match applied. and as tho
flames shot merrily upward the human
nru1s hastily Cecumncd.
The flames gathered strength, ana soon
the whole OF tle lower floor was filled
with dense smoke. but the occupants ot
the house slept on, unconscious OF their
danger. Soon tho smoke forced its way
% the upper story, wnere Mrs. VIM beer
eleyon-yc granddaughter. Mrs.
Lowe. AMI Mrs John Kelley.
We're asleep. The s.cepcrs awokc.
half-stined. They rushed 10 the
staircase. but We're met by volumes Of
black smoke iu the midst of which
TF II
Their retreat was cut or, and only OUT
side assistance could save them. The up
per windows We're hastily thrown mp, and
their cries for assistance rung out IN tina
chill morning air.. and attracted the at
tentiOn Of Private Watchman Dear
hart, who was pacing his beat The Of
iicor nc once grasped the situation and
turned I'm am alarm from box ia. Not
many minutes had elapsed before tho IRE
department was on the scene.
The nremen at once recognized the
deadly peril OF those imprisoned on tho
upper floor. and no time WIS lost IN raie-
ing the ladders. tlremcn Ellington, kano
and Haake Of steamer No. 3 and Truck
man Hail OF truck 80. .. quickly assembled
the ladders to the second story. They
found there Mrs. VIM and her little
granddaughter Mrs. Lowe and Mrs. John
Kelly half-stined by smoke and frlghtcn-
ed almost TO death by their imminent per-
10. Sturdy arms quickly conveyed them 10
the oIt'ir NNlNNf Will t"At tNl' WIZ
at once offered them hy friends
The hremeu then went 90 work upon the
burning building. and soon pun cut mo
last spark. The loss Will probably amount
10 500.
At7.Y SUNDAY night an alarm was turn-
ed in from box so. I3j. al the corner ~
Grove avenue and Beach streets. To
cause was "A slight blaze on the premises
OF Mr. Ben. Jacobs. at 1922 Grove avenue
Tho U1rnnua was small
Considerable excitement was cree
ated on Broad street Sunday niaht
hv am alarm turned DO &C
SOB o'clock from the Troad-strect
Fngino-hcrsc \ kerosene oil stove had
exploded in tho basement OF tho Planet
office at SD east Broad street. occupied
hv John Clinton. The Sire WIS soon OK
tngIishod but the loss VIII probably
amount % $40.