New-York tribune., 1903-01-01
WOM4N ROUTS ROBBERS.
Pistol Held at Head Of Francis 3.
Thu,-ber-'s Daughter.
SHE ASKS BURGLAR TO TAKE A SEAT.

Three burglars entered the home of Francis
B. Thurber. the lawyer. living at No. 40 West
Twenty-ffth-st., on Tuesday night, and after
going through Mr.. Thurber's private papers got
out Of the house with $50. That they did not get
a much larger booty due to the heroism and
presence of mind of Miss Jeanette Thurber,
the lawyers daughter In addition to routing
the burglars singlehanded, she yesterday went
to Police Headquarters where she looked
through the Rogues Gallery and identified the
picture Of Albert Matthews, who the police say
has just completed a term in Sine Sing. the
photograph of of the men who robbed the
house.
On Tuesday evening Mr. Thurber dined out
and did not reach home until late. About $50
o'clock Miss Thurher left her apartments, hich
are on the third floor of the house, and went
TO her fathers library and den, on the second
floor where she wanted to leave message for
him
There was dfrniy burning light there. Miss
Thurber walked half way across the apartment
toward an open desk at which Mr.. Thurber
usually sits when working late. Approaching
It. she near the desk with his back
toward her. So quietly had she entered that
he was not aware of her being there
She took a step forward exclaim ng:
Who are you?"
The stranger wheeled as if electrified.
''Well-and who are your
The two were only few feet apart. Instantly
the man whipped a revolver from his pocket
with his right hand, while with his left he
grasped Miss Thurbers arm, and forced her
down into a chair beside which she stood. Bend
ing over the girl, the burglar held the muzzle
of the revolver within few inches of her head.
IF you dare make the least outcry," he
muttered, I'll kill you
There silence for minute two, and
rber with
gle or attempt to release herself, and with the
muzzle of the revolver still perilously near her
temple. said:
Il pledge you my word of honor that if you
will remove the revolver I'll not cry out, and
will make no attempt to any one"
NOW, you sit there cried the man. as ap-
parentIy satisfied. he Strengthened up and let
the hand holding the weapon drop to his side
Seemingly net at ali frightened Miss Thurber
replied to this implied threat by saying:
Now, why don't you sit down. too?'.,
She says the man seemed scarcely to know
what to make of this rejoinder, and that a
picion of smile came over his face.
It's very good of you miss" she says the
burglar replied, but I'm afraid we can't 10
things that way.
Then, speaking into the darkness of a far
corner of the room, he said:
Say Billy you go upstairs and tell Jack to
it quick. too"
From crouching position in this corner Miss
Thurber says she saw arise. He went
along one side of the room, out through the
door by which she had entered the apartment,
and then. she says she heard him ascending the
stairs to the second floor.
After what seemed an age she heard two men
coming downstairs, heard them go the front
door of the house and out into the street. The
door was left few inches ajar.
After Billy" and Jack had got safely out OF
the house the man. remaining and standing
guard as il were, over Miss Thurber. raised his
revolver and again aimed it at her head; Then
he backed slowly from the room and into the
hallway. From where she sat in the chair the
young woman says she could. by turning her
head follow the man with her eyes, and see him
as he reached the door
AS the man placed his hand the doorknob
and swung the door back, leaving him free
exit he said to Miss Thurber:
Don't YOU dare make any noise or outcry
now either. If you do I'll shoot"
She did not leave her chair until she heard
the mans footsteps going down the front steps
and to the sidewalk.
Then she went to the third floor, where Mrs.
Thurber her mother, in OF the rear
apartments. Then she went to the telephone
and called up the police Of the West Thirtieth-st
station She told what had happened and re-
ouested that a detective be sent around to the
house at once. She declares that It was over
an hour before one arrived.
She found that some money. and one two
little things valued altogether at about $50. had
been taken from the room where she had met
the burglar. A desk, where Mr.. Thurber keeps
hts private papers checkbook. etc. had been
rurnrnaged. In one corner couch, and it
was behind this that Billy had been in
trenched.
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