New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-19
w. w. SHERMAN'S BURGLAR
THE AGED BANKER TREATS WITH AN
UGLY INTRUDER.
CALMLY NEGoTIATEs FOR A SETTLEMENT
ON FINANCIAL BASIS RATHER
THAN RISK THE SAFETY OF
HIS SON WHOM HE
MIGHT HAVE
CALLED.
CALLED.


CALLED.
William Wnslow Sherman. the aged presi-
dent Of the National Bank Of Commerce, Is d
man who has the power Of money eN-
emplifed in so many instances during his long
and honorable career a fnancier that IL
seemed the most natural thing in the world 10Y
him to say to a burglar who was ransacKlhs
his bedroom between 2 and 3 o'clock yesterday
morning and threatening him with instant
death If he gave the alarm, my friend cannot
We settle this thing on financial basis!
The coolness OF the white haired banker MS
matter OF fact tone and busness-kc PROPOSE
ton struck the burglar so forcibly that he
laughed The ice thus being broken. as IT were'
the two were soon IN earnest conversation.
The result was told to Tribune reporter last
night by Mr. Sherman himself; no interview
being obtainable with the burglar as yet
It was awakened" said Mr. Sherman ABOUT
2:30 o'clock by some opening the door oI
my bedroom in my house at No. "A East fltty-
fifth-st. I a lot OF solid silver tableware
and some highly priced silver trophies ana cups
which my horses have won at various SHOWS
fairs and exhibitions. The value Of these is
considerable and do not care to leave them
in my dining-room on the first floor AT night
I always have them carried upstairs to my ped
room in baskets at night.
This silverware was in my room when
heard the door knob turned 'Wnos there'
demanded No reply Is that you. Mentor" l
said thinking 1t might be my faithful butter
For answer the door was pushed wide open
and a man about five feet six inches high ana
weighing perhaps one hundred and fifty pounds
put his foot across the threshold. You'd better
keep quiet he said in low. threatening tone
IL you make no noise I'll do you no harm; but
II YOU shout I'll shoot BY the dim light en-
tertng my chamber from the street lamps
could see that he was pointing revolver
straight at my head.
DECIDED TO GIVE NO ALARM.
'I am an old man now" said the banker
smiling land my nerves are naturally NOT so
strong as they once were. 1t is unnecessary 10
deny that | was frightened at first and the In
clination to shout for help was as strong as
instinct. I knew that my son. who was sleep
ing on the floor just above me, would rush TO
my rescue without one thought Of himself and
| felt sure that my only manservant would not
be far behind. There electric burglar
alarm at the head OF my bed so placed that
could easily have reached it ir the dark with
out the burglar seeing
'T was just about to push the button when
recall what ! had often read about burglars.
that though they generally come armed. they
prefer not to add murder to their crime. but
will shoot when driven into a corner and when
they think It absolutely necessary TO avoid
capture. ] reflected also that my sons life was
worth to much more than any amount Of
silver plate so I said TO the burglar All right.
I'll be quiet
Then the man, st keeping his revolver
pointed at me, advanced into the room and shut
the door I'm going to strike light he said.
Cover UP your head with the bedclothes. ]
don't want you to my face He struck
match and lit one of my own candles had
covered up my head. but not completely I
kept an eye on him all the while. He wore
mask and seemed to be about twenty-seven
years old His clothes not shabby. and he
used excellent grammar. His accent was not
what you call tough but his face hard and
forbiddng My eyesight is not good now with
out glasses, and doubt if l could pick him out
In a crowd. There nothing out OF the way
about him TO assist in identifying him
THE man at began to take stock Of the
articles in my room l expected of course that
he would carry them all off. I suppose he had
a confederate. This suppostion was strength
ened when he suddenly asked me, What is your
name? What in the world do you want 10
know my name for? ] asked, surprised We
might want 10 make restitution some day. he
replied. and then It would be handy to know
your name When he said we felt glad had
not called my son. told him my name.
VERIFIED THE NAME
He verified IT by reading my initials the
silver He seemed TO think the tableware
rather too bulky for his purpose. however and
began TO slip into his pockets two or three small
ornaments which valued far more highly for
their associations than for their intrinsic value.
AT this sight 7 began TO feel injured. ! am
telling you this story just as it happened. 1t
seems all like dream sit here nova bad
dream, too. ! can look back at myself and re-
call my feelings almost those of third per
son. I pushed down the covers and resolved 10
reason with him, man 10 man. Now. look
here I said. I think you would be foolish to
take those things which marked with my
name and initials. II you pawned them, they
would probably lead to your arrest. Why can't
we settle this thing financial basis?
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