The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1909-11-09
Daring Robbery.

Daring Robbery.
On Friday afternoon about 2 o'clock 9
man wearing black chintz mask over
his face entered the home of Schuyler
Rainier ON the outskirts of Florence and
with an axe broke open a safe, from
which was taken O.. 1856 in cash. OF this
amount 81, 900 belonged to Rainier, who
is wealthy farmer about 70 years old.
Samuel Schuyler, aged 90 years, who
makes his home there, lost 1926 which he
had intended to deposit in bank on the
following day. Miss Jane Nixon, aged 81
years, who has been housekeeper there
for a number of years. lost all her savings,
amounting to $40.
Scattered on the floor by the safe were
bonds, notes, mortgages, ETC., represent
ing over $50, 900. besides silver ware, jew
elry and watches. That none of these
were taken gives evidence that the robber
only wanted money. There is nothing to
indicate that the job was the work of a
professional burglar.
Miss Nixon was in the house alone at
the time, Rainier and Schuyler being in a
field husking corn. She unexpectedly
came across the man in the sitting room
where the safe is located. He made her
go up stairs, locked her in a room and
cautioned her to keep quiet. While OPP
Grating on the safe the man made sec
ond visit up stairs, when he changed his
mind about giving her closer confinement
In closet, she pleading that she would
smother there. The burglar made mis-
take In not wearing the mask on his Sec
ond visit up stairs, and Miss Nixon saw
that he was resident of Florence whom
she knew. She had become acquainted
with the man by reason of the fact that
he had been to the house to pay interest
money, Mr.. Rainier having mortgage on
his place. The woman gave description
of the man which tallies with the descrip-
ton of man seen near the house about
the time of the robbery by Rev. @. V.
d. Conover. a Methodist minister, who is
acquainted with the suspect. Strange ac-
lions of the latter were also noticed by
John Adams, an insurance agent.
Among the debris on the floor by the
safe was a new brace and bit, but they
had not been used. The safe was not
opened with dynamite as reported. 1t
was evident that the robbery was commit
ted by a man thoroughly familier with
the situation.
OF the money taken $1,000 was COM
posed of ten and twenty dollar gold
pieces, which had been kept In bag In
the safe for several years.
After the robber left with his booty,
Miss Nixon was still confined in her room,
the window having been nailed by the
visitor SO that she could not get out.
When Rainier and Schuyler returned
from their work about o'clock they
found no one present and saw that rob-
bers had been at work. Fearing for the
safety of Miss Nixon hasty search was
made and the frightened woman hberat-
ed. Miss Nixon feels that she had mar
row escape with her life.
Hitching up quickly Mr.. Rainier drove
to the railroad station and sent telegram
to Detective Parker, who was soon on the
ground. Mr.. Rainier then called on the
suspect, told him of the robbery, and
asked where he had been that afternoon,
and the man replied that he had been
trimming fruit trees. The suspect was
seen on q road that afternoon at point
where it could be noticed If Rainier was
husking. The man retraced his steps and
the robbery was committed shortly after
ward.
The suspicion of those interested in the
matter conferred ON William L. Hamilton,
a near neighbor, and sensation was
created when he was arrested yesterday
afternoon. Hamilton was positively iden-
titled as the man who committed the rob-
berry, and on the strength of this Magis-
trate Peacock committed the defendant to
the county jail.
After brief detention Mr.. Hamilton
was released under 50, 900 bail, his bonds
men being Richard and George Hamilton,
two brothers; John Hamilton, nephew,
and Wallace Fewkes. Mr.. Hamilton de-
MES all knowledge of the crime.
The store you haye confidence in
Boyces.