Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-05-05
BURGLARS MAKE
RICH HAUL


The manse Of tho Grove Presbyterian
church was hurgiariz,d on Monday
night and silvcrwar, aiii money tn the
valaa of nearly 5l10 wee stolen.
Whan Ms. Vi 'Ir!aack, wife of the
i,,~tur, dns oIlod to the kitchen yes
terday morning a scene of confusion
met her gaze. The door opening on the
porch facing a street was wide open
while a window by its side was raised
TO it's full height A glance into the
dining room adjoining where all the
drawers anu closets we're thrown open
WAS sufficient to convince her that the
house had been robbed and thoroughly
alarmed she flew up stairs to communi-
cate her discovery to her husband.
1t required but short investigation
to convince Mr. and Mrs. Mccormack
that they were the victims OF heavy
aud most heartless robbery. Nearly
all their silverware intrinsically valu-
able and precious because OF associa-
tion was missing along with three
purses and their contents.
The silverware missing, all OF which
was solid, according to most con-
seryativo estimate was worth over
$500 and included two teapot5, cream,
pitcher, egg castor with cups and
spoons, meat fork, nut picks, ladies ,
cream spoons. and other articles all
solid silver Many of the pieces were
marked "McO;" others, which belong
ed to Mrs. Mccormack, were marked
LENA" while several spoons, birth
day presents to DR.. Mccormack S lit
tie daughter, were engraved with her
name, "Gladys.
The silverware stolen, DR.. Mccormack
explained yesterday, represents the ac-
cumulation of fifteen years. Every
pastor it seems, is likely to have his
own notion as to how the wedding fees
should be applied. DR.. Mccormack
from the time he entered the ministry
has made it practice of investing all
the money that he has received for
marrying couples i'll solid silverware
for the table AS a result after the
lapse of years his house had become
stocked with fine lot of choice silver
ware.
This was all kept in a drawer of the
sideboard in the dining room, which
like all the other drawers of the apart
ment was found open yesterday morn
ing. The drawer was practically emp
ty, containing only few pieces OF
plated ware.
The burglars were evidently pro-
fess;onals as is indicated by their ac-
curacy in distinguishing the solid sill
YER from that which was plated. The
plated articles were invar iably left be-
hind, several of them having been set
out of the way on the sideboard.
After selecting the silver they want
ed the burglars turned their attention
to the closets and drawers in the
room. A small writing desk was ran
sacked, but nothing was taken but some
postage stamps. In the closet every
thing was turned topsy -turvy. Here
three purses were found aud stolen,
which in the aggregate contained ov-
er five dollars in cash. One of the
purses belonged to little Gladys and
another contained Mrs. Mccormack 5
visiting cards.
All about the floor we're found SPOTS
OF WAX, drippings from candle carri-
ed by the burglars. By this means
they we're traced into the hallway and
from there into the parlor. In the hall
they inspected some clothing upon a
rack, but neither here nor in tho par
lor was there a single article missing.
Several circumstances indicate that
the burglera were frightened of. other
wise, il j. believed, they would have
invaded the second story. A large sill
YER fruit dish was found yesterday
morning upOu Cldil pcoluo 'iiO Si"O
board as though the intention was to
place the smaller pieces upon it. The
| fact that this was left behind, while a
gingham apron left in the room is
missing, is taken to indicate that the
| robbers may have been unable t@ carry
out their plans and in making hasty
exit seized the apron and tumbled tie
| silverware into 1t.
DR.. Mccormack is of the opinion that
| the burglary was committed about the
hour of midnight. The window, al
though secured with patent fastenings
| had become somewhat loose with long
usage and was easily raised with the
aid of jimmy.
Two suspicious characters were seen
| about town Monday. They had the
/ appearance of crooks and spent their
time among the stables on either side
of the p. g. X. track in the Vi'lnity OF
| Hemlock street The Chief OF Police
ran them out of town Monday after
noon. 1t is said, however, they came
back again and a significant circum-
| stance is that they were not in town
yesterday morning.
| After the robbery the police gave the
| town a thorough search. but they were
unable to find anyone to whom any
suspicion attached. They also com.
municated with ten neighboring towns
giving an account of the robbery anC
describing the articles stolen.