The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-18
REAL SAUCl RS.
BJNGHIMTON At THE MERCY or a
GANG; POLICE NCIRED.

When Discovered These Thieves Don't
Hurry Away-Thcy just Talk Back, Be-
come Impudent and shoot rs They
Go-Experiences of Women With Them.
BrNGHAMroN, n. Y. Feb. l6-A gang Of
burglars has been having a good time over the
people Of this city for a few weeks The man
whose house has not been robbed, or on whose
establishment at least nd attempt has not been
made. is a rarity. But such a man does not
brag nowadays, for he realizes that his time IL
coming. The local police are so ratified that
their attempts to relieve the situation are anus
inc. The force was never much moro than orna'
mental. but it is not even that now, and The three
Policemen who patrol the main residence street,
from Chenango street to the Leetershire line, a
distance Of nearly five miles, must he searched
for in Railways or UP dark alley ways, when they
arr wanted. No one in town is SO badly scared
over the presence Of the burglars as the average
policeman. And lbs fear is based on the knowl
edge that the city has never been afflicted with q
gang Of crooks SO wiling TO use firearms as the
present unwelcome visitors.
Awcek ago there was firing almost every night,
and the only reason that nobody YRS injured
was that on every occasion the thieves were 80
drunk that they couldn't have shot at a harm
ut0T VIZ III hFsIfN' VI = " 10 49,
| citizens have gone 10 the chief Of police with a
request tina, he find the rendezvous Of the thieves.
! their idea leing to descend IN them with a posse
strong enough TO Tag the whole gang, but the
police have not leen able to do even a little detect
I've work in the interest OF relief for the town.
Night after night the thieves have turned up in
one part Of the city or another and for holiness
their exploits surpass anything that was ever
,..J - No. .pIlnJr living in this ,ltv before
one night last week they robbed three houses
on one block, despite the fac, that all alarm WAS
raised in the first house that they tackled. While
the neighlors were hustling around trying TO
ani out what had become Of them they were en-
loving a flask Of whiskey behind a fence not fifty
yards from the house that they had just attempted
10 plumber. As soon as the searchers went back
to their beds, the thieves coolly went to another
house on the same block, entered by a window
AMI got away with several hundred dollars worth
Of silver without disturbing anybody. Then
they went 10 a house next door and had packed
up lot more silver which they would have had no
trouble in getting away With. had not one Of the
gang fallen over Il chair, making such a row
that the entire house was aroused. Then the
burglars got out in a hurry, leaving their piundcr
bchind them. Once outside they fred three
NV avn iAAN' N"' h'Ns'i b'N 1885, 'NNfN
was in the way Of tho bullets.
The existence Of such a state Of affairs, might
no, appal New Workers., but in a city Of 5000
people like this, It is a mighty matter. The in
divibual experiences Of some people here have
done more to alarm the people than anything else,
A Mrs. Bowers, who lives on Main street was
sitting up with her sick husband one night last
week when she heard a noise in the lower part
OF the house, that convinced her that thieves had
broken in. Not wishing to disturb her husband,
She went downstairs herself 20 investigate At the
foot Of the stairs she came face TO fsce with Q
strange man. Mrs. Bowers is q woman Of nerve.
What, do you want hereH" she demanded.
Il want whotevers worth taking replied
the man
Bowers, I shall Cal my husband"
The burglar pulled out a hig revolver and paced
IL at tho woman = head.
NOW call your husband" he said.
Without any further argument Mrs Bowers
let ou, o Shrek for help. The burglar gave ne
Jump for the door, and, without knowing what
She was doing, the woman followed him out On
tLr veranda. Once outside the thief turned
ar und, and, taking careful aim al the woman.
fired three shots Mrs Bowers had the presence
, e mind 'Ss + bu dI e ' WEN. mt s sTSHh Ser i h.ad The T IesTl, o, va,
non lined the burglar outside, and the three
walked away as coolly as though nothing had
Mrs Eiderpens, who lives on Lewis street,
had an even more thrilling experience. One
nj rning last week The local newspaper recorded
The fact that her husband had gone out Of town
on business. Mrs Eiderpens carefully locked
,Mc house that night before retiring. Shortly
br.bre midnight she heard n cab drive up 10 The
b dor, and, being in a nervous condition n, 20, up
and went g. the window 10 see who II was Her
n use Is about hfty yards back from the I, lad.
and there il a pr ate roadway running up 10 the
side door Looking out Il the window she saw
that q cab had stopped out in the r. ad and that A
man was walking up the roadway toward tho
house The man walked up TO the side door, and
thHn ElnnCing up at the window happened 10
n"'ice Nrs Eiderpcns watching him. lie very
p !i'ely took If his hat, and when the woman
asked him what he wanted. coolly replied that he
wanted money.
We'll, you can't get /, here" said Mira Elder
pens
Indeed" said the man, I'm not 50 sure Of that
You'd better let me in So that | can see for myself"
You can't get In here, 80 YOU might az we'll
e. away said the woman.
Either you'll let me in or III force nv WAY IN
you have il in the house. and ib ann man T broS.s 'dHSdi
10 eSamln" me lock on the door. lie gave he
der no r TWO vigorous shakes and then hauled
out q bunch. ~ keys, which he prepared e. insert
ono hv onn IN The | ok.
Hold on" sold Mrs Eidcrnens. an idea sud.
denly occurring 70 her "Dcr't hrcnE rem hat
! dor I'll lp, you In"
The man stopped working at Tho door, and he
woman rushed To- the telephone in her house, and
cal led up Police Headquarters. she Notified tho
| police what was happening. and .hsy promised