The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1908-08-24
HAS ENCOUNTER
WITH BURGLAR
IN HIS HOME
John F. Robbins Does Battle
In the Dark With Stranger
On Stairway, But Intruder
Escapes.
GENNETT HOME is ALSO
ENTERED BY BURGLARS.
Nothing of Value Was Taken
In Either Home Police
Think Part of Work Was by
An Amateur.

A left handed drive behind a would
be burglars ear, sent him to his
knees and forceful kick administered
in the small of his back sprawled him
on the floor, but did not prevent his
escape at the North Tenth street home
of John F. Robbins, the attorney. last
evening. The blow on the head and
the kick were delivered by Mr.. Rob-
bins, after he had been surprised in
the act of lighting gas lamp in the
the match and making a rush for the
stairway. The gum shoe artist
bungled at his work and this morning
the family had been unable to discov-
er any missing property.
Mr.. Robbins and his son Philip re-
turned home from an automobile ride
about $50 O'Clock. Philip proceeded
with the machine to the Auto Inn and
Mr.. Robbins went into the house. He
was met at the door by a fox terrier
dog, which acted so peculiarly as to at
tract the attention of Mr.. Robbins.
The dog ran to the screen door and
2ashed about the house barking in a
frenzy. Then it ran out onto the
veranda and into the yard, shifted at
Mr. Robbins hands and then back in
to the house. Mr.. Robbins was unable
to understand the dogs antics. He
noticed the dining room was lighted
up, although it had been left in dark
uess. He went into this room and it
was evident the place had been visited
by a stranger.
Hastily looking about him, Mr..
Robbins did not miss any article of
value and proceeded up stairs. He
stopped in the hallway and struck a
match. He was in the act of lifting
the burning match to the top of the
chimney over the burner, when a face
was thrust over his shoulder and the
match was blown out. Mr.. Robbins
turned and SO did the stranger. The
latter started downstairs on the run
and Mr.. Robbins followed. In the
semi-darkness the only light coming
from down stairs Mr.. Robbins struck
the stranger behind the ear with his
left fist. The stranger was knocked
to his knees on the landing. He
grabbed hall clock and attempted to
rise, but Mr.. Robbins pounced upon
his back and grabbed him by the coat
collar The burglar was too strong.
however, and shook Mr.. Robbins loose
and renewed his flight down the stair
way. Mr.. Robbins is short of reach
and has one crippled arm as the result
of the recent accident at Winchester
so had more faith in his leg and foot
He delivered a well aimed kicked in
the small of the hurrying robbers
back and again the visitor went to his
knees, this time at the bottom of the
stairway.
He arose hastily, and with Mr. Rob-
bins following, rushed to the rear por
tion of the house, through the dining
room, knocking over chairs and into
the kitchen. Before proceeding up
stairs. the visitor had unlocked the
rear kitchen door and left it open. He
rushed through the doorway and rar
into the wire screening surrounding
the porch, was thrown onto his back
but arose hastily and went out through
the screen door and made his escape.
Neighbors of Mr.. Robbins state the
little dog had been acting peculiarly
for some time previous to the arrival
of it's master. 1t had gone to the
Lodwick home next door and barkeC
about the house. running from room tc
room in a distracted manner and evi
IDENTIFY trying to attract attention, but
his mute efforts were not understood