The semi-weekly messenger., 1903-05-05
Especial to The MesSenger.)


Goldsboro, n. c., April 2S.-The bank
at LAGRANGE was robbed last night
between l and o'clock and s3.400 taken
from the vault which was blown open
with dynamite. The work was done
by professionals, who not only knew
how to do the business, but who made
excellent preparations for their escape
as soon as they had completed their
job, by stealing a horse and buggy ana
having it convenient. The robbers
came near adding murder to their
crime. Mr.. Richard WOoten was sleep
ing over the store across the street and
heard the explosion when the safe was
blown open. He got up and struck a
match He then heard a second ex-
plosion and saw a flash of light in the
bank He knew at once what was go
ing on and realized the mistake he
had made in striking the match He
blew out the light and went down
stairs in the dark to get his gun. In
looking for the weapon he stumbled
over a ploW. Instantly the sharp report
Of a pistol rang out on the stiffness of
the night and a ball shattered through
the plate glass window in front Of the
store and passed close enough to the
head of Mr.. WOoten for him to hear it
splitting the air. Under such a disad-
vantage Mr.. Wooten had to remain
very quiet until the burglars left, when
he gave the alarm
People who heard the shooting
thought it a renewal of the hostilities
of the day before. when Mr.. Richard
Wooten and Mr.. Bill Harper had quite
a difficulty and there were several
shots fired on this occasion the people
who were awakened by the noise did
not come as hurriedly to the scene as
they would have done had they known
what the trouble really was. In a short
while, however, a crowd got together
and began a search for the burglars but
1t was too late as they had made good
their escape and left no trace Of their
departure that could be seen at night.
Early this morning it was found that
three buggies had left the town at
night. When the hired man went out
to feed the horse of DR.. Mark Hodges
he found that both the horse and buggy
were gone DR.. Hodges came to the
city this morning on the IL O'Clock
train and found that his horse and
! buggy had been left tied to a tree be
side the road about one mile from this
city The horse showed signs of hav-
! ing been driven very hard and may be
! seriously injured. The doctor said the
tracks Of three buggies were seer
| this mOring in LAGRANGE and
j that the mules were hitched tC
; two of the buggies. 1t is supposed thai
! the two mules and buggies were stoler
| from some one in the country who has
! not been heard from. This suppositior
I is confirmed by the fact that only tive
| strange looking men got off the nigh
train in LaGrange last night. They
! hung around the depot for some tim'
and finally walked off down the rail
road.
Two strangers walked into saloo1
in this city about 5 o'clock this morn
! ing and called for something to drinl
and something to eat. When told tina
! they could get something to eat at {
negro restaurant across the street
! which was the only place open at tina
time, they replied that they did not pat
ronize such places as they had plent!
of money to pay for what they Wante(
! at first class places.
The bank which they robbed belonged
to Rouse Bros, who carried burgia
policy of $4,000, which will cover thei
losses.
| Teleg~ams have been sent in all direc
tions for officers TO look out for tn
two men who were here this morning
! as it is quite certain that they lef
! here on the early train this morning.