Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-17
CooI|y Loot Saw ings Bank
At Ashland, n. H.
Man on Guard Holds Alarmed
Neighbors al Bay
While Two Others Blow Safe In Full
Glare Of Electric Light.

Ashland, n. H., July 16.-One masked
robber held three families at bay for
more than a quarter of an hour early
TODAY while two other robbers, also
masked. worked in the glare of an
electric light and finally succeeded in
blowing open the safe of the Ashland
Savings Bank, escaping with $500 in
cash. Three explosions were necessary
to break open the safe and the rob-
bers were at work for more than 10
minutes after their operations had been
discovered
The burglars were discovered by Mrs
Arthur Peaslee, who with her husband
lived in a house adjoining the bank.
About 2 o'clock this morning Mrs.
Peaslee was awakened by a loud re-
port. Looking out of the window she
saw two masked men running toward
the safe in the office of the bank CASH
Ter. She Immediately called her hus-
band, who slept in the rear of the
house. Peaslee opened the window and
shouted ton the men to get away from
the bank. At the same time the muzzle
of revolver was thrust in Peaslee's
face by the burglar on guard and he
was ordered with an oath to get away
from the window and keep quiet. In
the meantime, Mrs. Alonzo Smith, an
aged woman, who lived in a tenement
over the bank, had been awakened by
the explosion. She also ordered the
men to leave and was also commanded
to close her window and remain
quiet. Mrs. Smith. however, almost
craZed by fright, opened another win
dow and began shrieking so loudly that
many persons were awakened.
BY this time Peaslee had commune
Gated with the central office Of the tel
ephone company and was trying to To-
cate the town policemen. His wife and
her mother. Mrs. Louise Celarlo, were
in their room watching the movements
of the two men at work in the bank
and keeping him informed as to what
they were doing The two robbers APP
piled three sticks of dynamite to the
safe door before it fell open. 1t took
them several minutes to locate the
money, but they finally discovered it
wrapped up in newspaper in one
corner of the demolished safe. The
edges of the paper were tattered and
torn.
The burglars did not stop to see
Witlhct tlt iIloIity was Oul
grabbed the bundle under their arms
and rushed out through the back door
of the bank, where they Joined the
third man. The three started off across
the fields in the direction of the rail-
road tracks.
Directly in their path was the home
of George Andrews Andrews came to
his front door half dressed and called
to the men to stop. Get into your
house or III blow your head off, the
burglar with the revolver shouted.
Andrews was unarmed and there was
nothing for him to do but close the
door to his home and allow the trio to
pass unmolested.
While the men We're passing. Police
Officers Hartman and Palmer had
been summoned by Peaslee and they
started out at once in pursuit Of the
robbers. a number of the townspeople
coming with them. They followed them
to the depot and down the railroad
track, but lost sight of them at the
river bridge. Before going to the bank
the men had broken into the railroad
depot and stolen crowbar pick and
a hammer with which they did their
work.
John Twombly, who said he come
from Worcester. Mass, was arrested
on suspicion by the police I'm Meredith
late today. He will probably be given
a hearing in the local court tomorrow
Two other men We're arrested this af-
ternoon in connection with the break
but were afterwards set free, the police
being satisfied they had nothing to do
with the robbery.