New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-07
WOMEN HIDE IN ATTIC
BURGLARS IN LIBRARY.
Dinner Bell and Shots Fail to Brin Q
Help.

OF an nour ana a halt saturday night the
wife and four daughters of John Dennerlein
real estate dealer. of No. 1854 LorilIard Place
The Bronx. hid in the attic of the house, because
Of the intrusion of three men, evidently robbers
Although Mrs. Dennerlein fired two shots from
a revolver and her daughters took turns al
ringing a big dinner bell. it was an hour and
half before they succeeded in attracting the at
tention Of a mounted patrolnan. Neghbors
heard the bell they say but thought there was
a good time of some kind going at the Den
nerlein house. Professor James Dennerlein,
son, reached the house at about the same time
the policeman did. and it was he who released
the women from the garnet
The Dennerlein house is situated on the east
side of the street and is near Pelham-ave On
the south side of the house, which is a two
story frame structure. is a small wing. A YER
anda surrounds the wing. The windows of the
library open the veranda.
Mr.. Dennerlein and his son William went to
Mount Kisco on a hunting expedition last week,
leaving Mrs. Dennerlein and the four daughters
Mary, twenty-five years old; Emma, twenty
three; Anna, nineteen, and Julia, seventeen
alone in the house. Saturday night all retired
except Miss Mary Dennerlein who sat in the
library reading She had been in bed only few
minutes when she heard footsteps on the veran-
da At first she thought it was her brother
the professor. She listened intently and heard
the window opening in the library. Slipping on
bathrobe she made her way cautiously down
the stairs. Peering in through the library door
she saw three men. One was rummaging through
her fathers desk and the others were standing
by a table. She screamed as loud as she could
and upstairs She awakened ner mother
and sisters, and the five in fear to the attic
The first thing they did to barricade the
door. An old oak chest was pushed against it
and then various articles of furniture were
piled against the chest. Hanging the wall
were several old shotguns and in leather case
Mrs. Dennerlein found a revolver. II was
loaded. She ran to a side window and opened
it. She saw man crossing the lawn and clos
ing her eyes she pointed the revolver at him
and fired When she opened her eyes the man
had disappeared. About three minutes later
another man appeared and the woman fired
again
The women expected that the neighbors and
police would be aroused by the shots but no one
appeared. Mrs. Dennerlein got an old dinner
bell and gave it TO Miss Anna. Going to a front
window, the girl rang the bell until her arm was
tired. Then Miss Emma took her turn at it, but
the neighbors and the police seemed TO be dead
After the first effects of the fright were over
the barricaded ones began to feel cold In some
trunks the mother found some old blankets and
clothing, and these they wrapped around them
selves. They dared not venture downstairs,
fearing that the burglars would return Mrs
Dennerlein imagined that one of her shots had
taken effect, and she pictured a wounded man
seeking revenge
About ! o'clock Miss Anna heard the sound
of hoof beats and in minute a mounted police
nan drew rein in front of the door
What's the matter up there? Are YOU crazy?"
asked the policeman.
Come up here quick Burglarsr shouted the
girl.
The others then swarmed to the window. Then
James arrived and they consented to return to
their rooms.
In the mean time the mounted policeman went
for help. When he had been reinforced by two
other bluecoats he entered the house and began
an investigation. The library window had been
forced, apparently with jimmy" The burg
lars were frightened off by Miss Dennerlein's
screams, for they mad taken nothing Before
she would go back TO sleep Mrs. Dennerlein in
sisted that her husband be telegraphed for. She
says she will never sleep in the house without
him again.
Many burrs were found on the floor of the
library, and ii is thought that the men had
been hiding in field back of the house. Mrs
Dennerein said last night that she saw three
men standing near the house during Saturday
afternoon. She was frightened and spoke to
her son about them He asked the men what
they were in the neighboThood for and says
he was told to mind his own business MI
Dennerein arrived home late yesterday after
noon He indignant over the affair and
blamed the police for their lack of diligence
MY house might have been blown up or
burned up or the whole family might have been
murdered, before the police got there" said
Mr. Dennerlein. Il think ii is a shame the wav
we are left without protection in this part of the
city. My daughter Anna rang "A big bell for
The best part or an hour and n half before a
poilceInan came IN sight. Then, instead of going
into the house, he went for assistance Anna |
told him to go through a window and go to their
aid. but he would not enter until my son opened
the door for him and then only after he had
i'm