Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-06-02

Eve ryWherc windows We're thrown up
ana shouts rang OUT upon the summer
air. Men came rushing from their
houses hastily clothed ana armed
with guns ana rifles. Right in the fore
front Was Mr.. Tilton with his magazine
reloaded.
The burglars had fed from the post
office by the rear door through which
they had entered and in few mo-
ments We're discovered heating a re-
treat down the Portland & Rumford
Falls railroad track. The citizens
charged on them and attempted to
surround the fugitives. Then followed
q regular pitched battle. The burglars
We're armed and commenced a fusilade
as they retreated, endcavOring to beat
olf their pursuers. who We're pressing
closely on their heels. The men ana
the boys Of BuckfeId responded in
kind. The Buckfcld skirmishcrs re-
pnrt several narrow escapes from in
jury by the flying bullets. but no on
was injured. one citizen feels certain
that b" pottod one Of the burglars. but
II that Is 80 the others in the party
got tn injured man away all right.
As near as could be- seen there We're
five in the party If robbers. Two Of
them wer" short ana broad shouidcrcd
men. one answering to the description
II the fellow that was seen in the viii
lagc Of Mechanic Falls prior to the
burglary there, Wednesday night.
The pursuers of the party as the
robbers left the village of Buckficld
kopt as closely behind them al they
CtIf11 Inf bn
foot ana made good time down tho
Grand Trunk tracks. At last d mile
ana half below tn" village. they fired
n party sally" ana leaving the railroad
tack plunged into The thick woods. 1t
NaS useless for The pursuers to follow
them there
me woods We're dense and dark ana
Il was considered probable that the
burglars would stand at bay there ana
sh'ot whoever advanced upon them.
therefore, the men surrounded the
woods as best they We're able ana AZ
daylight We're joined by others.
All about these woods is open coun-
try ana along every highway and Mt
every avenue by which the robbers
might escape to other shelter. men dc- |
telmined and well armed are posted
II IS ieit that the parties will not he |
able " elude the vigilance Of the
watchers. 1t is now left to capture
them According To present plans
Sheriff Tucker and his deputies. to-
Eether with posse. will enter the
woods ana beat them thoroughly. ei-
thcr capturing the burglars or driving |
them out into the omen. where they |
may PC set upon by the watchers. 1t |
is conceded that the undertaking is a |
risky one, as the burglars are well arm |
ed. as was shown by the rapiditv Of |
their ire last night. And yet oxford |
wants the honor of the capture of these |
desperate characters that have already |
terrorized Maine villages in several
counties.
Here is the extent of their depreda-
tons in Buckfield. last night:
The safe Of the post office was blown.
evidently with a heavy charage Of dy
Mantle. The outer door was entirely /
being blasted, warped and riv-
en- by the explosion. But the inner
vault of steel, and considered burglar II
proof. was not shattered by the dis II
charge. Therefore the burglars secured II
nothing from its interior The money. II
the stamps, and the pOstoffice papers II
are safe. Mr.. Cole says:
Il find it impossible to get into the
vault this morning, and | have been Il
obliged to send away for assistance in L
opening up. But notwithstanding the
delay in getting at the pa
)ers. | have everything To be thankful
or in knowing that they are safe The
robbers secured a few dollars in mon
" that did not happen to be in the
vault"
The damage to Mr.. Coles store is
considerable. His windows were blown
ut and most Of his office furniture, in
.luding handsome rosewood desk. is
practically ruined, and the whole in
erior was strewn with debris.
1t was found, this morning. that the
tore Of Benjamin Spauldng * Son was
Continued on page 81