Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-28
MASKED BURGLAR ROBS
COUNT IN SUMMER HOME
TAKES WHAT HE WANTS AND
ESCAPES
Holds Revolver to Seckendorff's Head;
Makes Countess Hold Up Her
Hands; Steals Jewels
Worth $4,000

NEW YORK, Aug. PA masked bur-
glar entered the summer home of Count
Max Gebhard Seckendorff at Ramapo
Farms, near Ramsey, N. j., before day
light, awakened the count and countess,
pointed a revolver at them and, while
they sat up in bed with their hands
above their heads, ransacked the room,
taking the countess jewels, worth $4,000,
and the counts watch and chain from his
vest on a chair not more than foot
from the counts head.
Ramapo Farms is isolated from other
dwellings, and it was many hours be-
fore report OF the robbery was made
to Constable Shuart of Ramsey.
Count Seckendorff, who is well known
in Washington, is younger brother
of Count Goetz Won Seckendorff. The
Countess Seckendorff is well known in
Washington society, where her jewels
have attracted attention. She was for
merly a wealthy New York widow.
Servants Not Disturbed
There were a dozen servants in the
house, yet no one but the count and
countess heard or saw the burglar. After
he had departed and the household was
aroused not a window or a door was
found unlocked.
1t was shortly before daylight-about
was awakened by feeling something cold
against his cheek. He turned over
sleepily, then sat bolt upright in bed,
for man wearing a mask was be-
tween him and the window. The count
could feel a revolver pressed to his
cheek, so he made no move. The
countess awoke and asked what was the
matter.
Keep quiet" ordered the burglar,
shifting the revolver in her direction.
The countess, badly frightened, raised
her hands above her head when the
burglar ordered her to do so.
II want you both to keep still for a
few minutes" said the burglar. "If
either of you make an outcry or attempt
to interfere with me 1 will shoot; but
If you are sensible and just hold your
hands above your heads l will take
what L want and get OUT
The burglar searched the room, using
small electric bullseye lantern, and
every now and then turned the rays
into the eyes of the count and countess
AS he stood before large mirror the
count could see the gleam of his eyes
reflected.
The countess jewelry was in small
tin bond box. The burglar ripped the
cover off and transferred the dazzling
diamond pendants. sunbursts, breastpins,
stick pins and rings from the box to one
of his pockets.
The robber worked rapidly. After TAX
ing all the jewelry he went to the count s
clothing and emptied the pockets. There
were only few dollars in money, besides
the counts watch and chain.
Locked Them in Their Room
I'm going to make a getawey now"
said the burglar. Both Of you keep
your hands just as they are and don't
move or make a noise for five minutes.
am desperate and will shoot to kill If
necessary"
The burglar backed out of the room,
always keeping his revolver pointed to-
ward the man and woman When he
reached the hall he Closed the bedroom
door after him and turned the key on
the outside. For several minutes the
count and countess sat perfectly still.
Then the count leaped out of bed ard
tried to open the door. Finding it locked
he pounded on it with his fists and shout
ed for help.
The household was aroused in min
ute Servants came tumbling downstairs
in their night clothes. The burglar had
taken the key of the door with him so
that the count and countess were i'm
prisoned for several minutes while one
of the servants found key that fitted
the lock.
The house was searched from top to
bottom, but the burglar had had plenty
of time to make his escape and was
probably mile away. The servants put
on their clothes and hunted for an hour
or more through the shrubbery and trees
for trace of the burglar, but could not
find even footprint.
The burglar took nothing but jewelry
There was several thousand dollars
worth OF silverware in the dining room
which might easily have been stolen, but
1t was intact.
Detectives Are Puzzled
Several hours later Count Secl5endorff
notified Constable Shuart of Ramsey of
the robbery. Detectives were summoned
from HaclSensack to work on the case.
The most puzzling feature of the robbery
was how the burglar got into the man
sion. All of the servants swore the win
dows and doors were locked
Frosts may come and frosts may go,
Aud l. The frs,it hut