The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-05-19
APGAR FARED WELL
WITH THE ROBBERS
FEELS INCLINED TO WRITE
THEM TO COME AGAIN.
Gang That Held UP Waterman at
the Bellevue Breaker Relented
After Taking His Watch, and Upon
Returning II Presented Him with
Another, offered Him Money and
Filled His Pockets with Cigars.
Evidence That They Had Cracked
a Safe Before Visiting the Mine.

After thinking 1t all over yesterday,
Watchman John Apgar, of the Belle
vue breaker, was inclined to say come
again" to the trio of thieves who held
him up early yesterday morning, as
told in yesterdays Tribune.
When he refused to open up the carr
penter shop they threw him to the
ground although not very violently,
and cutting the legs from his trousers
tore them into strips and bound him.
They then walked him to the carpen-
ter shop, burst open the door, escorted
him inside, and, after binding his feet,
made him sit by with a revolver at
his head to enforce silence while they
proceeded TO break open the tool chests
and help themselves to braces, bits,
chisels, bars and such other tools as
might be useful in their business.
This being concluded, one of the
party started In to relieve the watch
man of his valuables. His gold watch
was seized upon and conveyed to the
pocket of one of the thieves. An
other of the trio began to search the
watchman's trousers pockets. Mr.. APP
gar told him he might save himself
the trouble, as there was no money
there.
DIDN'T WANT HIS MONEY.
I'VE don't want your money do we
fellows? We've got lots Of it," the
searcher answered as he desisted. Then
to prove to his victim that it was no
idle boast he was making, he pulled
big roll of bills from his hip pocket
and exhibiting it to Mr.. Apgar pulled a
ten dollar note from the roll and Of
fered it to him The watchman re-
fused the money, but intimated mildly
that he would like to have his watch.
Give him his watch" said the larg-
est of the trio, who was evidently the
leader. you've got another"
"Haas, I've got watches to. burn.
Here's your ticker, l don't want It:
and while you are at it have another"
and with this the robber showed Il
silver watch into Mr. Apgars vest
pocket, along with returning his own
gold watch.
We're pretty liberal fellows. aren't
we?" one of them remarked as they
were tieing the watchman more secure
ly before departing. They gagged him
by stuffing his necktie into his mouth
and then filling his pockets with cigars
disappeared in the darkness with the
stolen tools.
The watchman rolled along the floor
till he came within reach of a hatchet
and, after some hard work. succeeded
in saving the bonds which held his
wrists and then releasing himself.
SUSPICIOUS CHARACTERS.
The police in investigating the mat
ter Yesterday learned that three sus-
picious-looking characters were seen
about the barn of Butcher John James,
Of Bellevue Heights, about 1 o'clock in
the morning and that an iron box, evil
IDENTIFY the cash box Of a safe had been
found in that neighborhood when day
light came.
A visit to Mr.. James verified this. He
said he watched them for nearly an
hour from his bedroom window, eX-
pecting they were preparing to break
into his shop. He was prepared to give
them a warm welcome if they at
tempted it.
The box was turned over to the police
and is now at headquarters. 1t con-
tained three ladies' purses, an envelope
intended for subscriptions for the Pres
byterian Sabbath school missions, an
other envelope addressed by Andrew
Doles, secretary, Taylor, to S. J. Smith.
206 South Main avenue, Scranton, and
a book containing many entries rela-
tive to rails and the Jersey Central
railroad. "Given to church, 1887 for
NJ, $500, for parish; $500 foreign mis-
sions."
Chief Robling gave orders last night
to have the officers gather in all the
tramps that could be found in the city,
and made requests on Wilkes Barre
Pittston and Carbondale to do likewise.
Mr.. Apgar AYERS that his visitors
were not tramps. They wore no masks,
and he could readily identify them, he
Saws. IL he saw them again.