The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-02

4 tional occurrence to date in the burglar
raid that is now sweeping the State Of
Maine occurred in this village last eve
ming.
| The desperate gang that is operating in
the state blew open the postofflce safe in
the store of Alfred Cole, ruined the safe
ter a pitched battle in the streets of the
village, fighting off the citizens who pur-
sued them through the darkness.
At about two O'Clock Friday morning,
the whole village of Buckfeld was
startled by a tremendous explosion that
ratified windows and fairly shook the
ground.
The stationary and book store OF Alfred
Cole is in the centre of the business sec
tion of the village and contains the post
office. Mr.. Cole is the postmaster.
Near by the postofiice lives Bert Tilton.
He heard the explosion, leaped out of bed
| and dashed to the window. He saw vol
umes of smoke rushing from the broken
windows Of the postoffice.
He realized what had happened. He
ran DuCk lHlO tIc AOtAAhs EAubpN0 tP AIS
Winchester that was standing convenient
TO hand and pumped nine shots rapidly
into the front Of the postoffice. This ter
rife bombardment following the mighty
| blast of the explosion awakened every one
| in the village. Everywhere windows were
thrown up and shouts rang out upon the
summer air. Men came rushing from
their houses hastily clothed and armed
with guns and rifles. Right in the fore
front was Mr.. Tilton with his magazine
reloaded.
The burglars had fled from the post
office by the rear door through which they
had entered and in few moments were
discovered beating retreat down the
Portland and Rumford Falls railroad
track. The citizens charged on them and
attempted TO surround the fugitives.
Then followed a regular pitched battle.
The burglars were armed and commenced
fusilade as they reiterated, endeavoring
to beat off the pursuers who were press
ing closely on their heels. The men and
the boys of Buckfield responded in kind.
The Buckfield skirmishers report several
narrow escapes from injury by the flying
bullets, but no one was injured. One
citizen feels certain that he potted one of
the burglars, but If that is so the Others
in the party got the injured man away
all right.
As near as could be seen there were five
in the party of robbers. Two of them
were short and broad shouldered men,
one answering to the description of the
fellow that was seen in the village Of Me-
chanic Falls prior to the burglary there
Wednesday night.
The pursures of the party as the rob-
bers left the village of Buckfield kept as
closely behind as they could but the bur-
glars were feet Of foot and made good
time down the Grand Trunk tracks. At
last, mile and a half below the village,
they fired parting salvo and leaving the
railroad track plunged into the thick
woods. 1t was useless for the plrsuers to
follow them there.
The woods We're dense and dark and it
was considered probable that the burglars
would stand at bay there.and shoot who
ever advanced upon them. Therefore, the
men surrounded the woods as best they
were able and at daylight We're joined by
others.
All about these woods is open country
and along every highway and at every
avenue by which the robbers might es-
cape to other shelter, men dete rmined
and well armed are posted. 1t is felt that
the parties will not be able to elude the
vigilance of the watchers. 1t Is now left
to capture them. According to present
plans Sheriff Tucker and his deputies, to-
gether with posse, will enter the woods
and beat them thoroughly, either captur
ing the burglars or driving them out into
the open, where they may be set upon by
the watchers.
Here is the extent Of the depredations
in Buckheld. The safe Of the postoffice
was blown, evidently with heavy
charge of dynamite. The outer door was
entirely ruined, being blasted, warped