The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-20

-------- the house, as my husband had not re- ceived his salary for the month. The robber threw out nearly everything in the drawers. I begged the man to let me put my clothes on, but he said If 1 moved he would shoot me. l told him that if he tried to kill me and my chii- dren that God would paralyze his arm.
 He placed the muzzle of the pistol against my forehead and again threat ened me.
 After going through the different drawers he noticed a large five-gallon can of coal oil that stood on the rear porch, just outside the window through which he entered. The window sill open ing to the porch Is quite low.
 Broke Out Window.
 "The robber had broken out the win dow, frame and glass, when he came in. He suddenly pushed the can of oil over with one foot. which he thrust through the window, and I could hear the kero- sene gurgling as it ran from the can all over the porch, but l did not realize what 1t was and what was his inten- tion.
 With a quick movement the burglar took something from his pocket and threw it on the kerosene-covered porch. Immediately there was an ex- plosion and it seemed that lire leaped up everywhere.
 'I begged the man for Gods sake to help me save my babies, but he held me there at the point of the pistol for sev- eral minutes, which seemed like ages, and l thought he intended burning my self and my babies alive.
 ''The robber jumped out of side win dow, and as he did so he knocked off the top of a sewing machine standing by the window. As soon as he left l ran through the house and found everything open.
 By this time the fire seemed to have started up rapidly. I ran to my chil dren and caught up Neil and Earl in my arms, calling out to Dean, who Is easier to wake up. We then got out of the house safely in our night clothes. The only things I saved was a pair of shoes, my purse and the night clothes I was wearing. When l ran out motorman, MT. Glenn is his name, was slowing up his car. called out and asked him to please save some of our furniture. but that was impossible, as it was too late. The people here have been so very kind to me and I want you to thank them for me. Everyone is so attentive 1t touches me deeply. I am feeling better today. For my childrens sake I tried to bear up under the strain"
 Wore Bicycle Guards.
 Continuing, Mrs. Blackwelder said of the burglar:
 He is white man with brown, bushy beard, rather tall. He had on a small black bow tie and a turn-down collat, dark clothes and a small cap. I noticed that he had bicycle guards just above l.t -l.@ Jsr. IaNH de aad to be very white and I noticed a large rink shining on his right hand, as he pointed the pistol at me. l cannot say what kind of a ring 1t was. but I am sure that it had a large stone of some kind as a setting A peculiar thing about his dress was that he had on a sweater, although he wore a collar and tie. His coal was buttoned up tight, but l could see the sweater protruding from under 1t. He looked as though he was above the average man in the criminal classes. or at least what I imagine they look like. He did not assault me with his weapon except to point it at me; in fact he off, fered no personal violence whatever. He seemed to want money My husband is now holding meetings at Fayette, and I expect him to come home some time to- day"
 Four Rooms.
 The house contains only four rooms and the one occupied by Mrs. Blackwelder is on the northeastern corner, which is next to the church and furtherest away from the two car lines. As will be seen, in one of the views of the rear of the house, there are two small prongs in the floor, marked x, which show where the can of oil was sitting. This is just outside of the window through which the man entered, and he stood with one foot inside the window and kicked the can over with the other, which was on the outside. The window is very low and made this possi- ble. It has been impossible to find any traces of the explosive used by the bur glar, but it as evidently very small in quantity, as the noise was not great.
 It was some time after the fire had gained headway before any of the neigh bors reached the house. It seems that a Chinaman, who runs a laundry near, was one of the first to arrive, he being only few seconds behind Motorman Glenn. As soon as possible the fire de- pertinent was at work and they probably saved the church and some of the sur rounding houses. Motorman Glenn has stated that he did not see the man leave the house, but the negro on the car with him is the one credited with having stat ed that the man rode away on a wheel. This is borne out by the fact that the bur glar wore pants guards.
 The motorman and negro were on a car which brings the conductors and motor men to Birmingham after they leave their cars at the barns at East Lake and East Birmingham.
 Excitement in WoodIawn.
 The excitement in Woodlawn Is still in- tense. and yesterday there was a con- stant stream of spectators at the house Some of them stayed around there for hours, and a number even rode out from the city to get a look at the place.
 MT Blackwelder arrived in the city yes terday afternoon from Fayette, Ala. where he had been assisting in meeting. Friends of the family are doing every thing in their power for their comfort, caring for the children and rendering what assistance IS possible to Mrs Black welder. She has entirely recovered from the shock and came into the city yes- terday to make some needful purchases.
 A reward of s250 has been offered by Mayor Burris and the board of aldermen for information leading to the arrest of the guilty party. The citizens have of- fered similar amount gotten up by pub lie subscription.