New Britain herald., 1918-09-20
RAND|TS ROB GAMBLERS
 IN TURNPIKE BUNGALOW

''Well you are a fine bunch of tin horn sports. We thought you fellows sat into a real game, but you're mo- thing but bunch of pikers." With that parting shot three bold gunmen look their leave of a gathering com posed of about 30 gamblers in bungalow on the North Colony road, or the Berlin turnpike, at an early hour this morning, taking with them a sum of money amounting to be- tween $1,000 and $1,500, and several diamonds, watches and other jewelry. They made a perfect getaway, by putting automobiles, used by the gam mblers, out of commission.
 The lhold-up of the gambling party was conducted in truly western style. Masks and IS calibre guns figured prominently in the visit. The little bungalow, on the edge of the so-called Peat Works pond, sets back some distance from the turnpike and there is only one other cottage in the vicinity What happened as described by one of the victims of the hold-up is this:
 We were sitting in and the games were going along nice and quiet. A card game in one corner and crap shooting in another and other games wherein wits and few tricks are pulled, were in progress.
 "Just then the door opened and three figures loomed up.
 ,.r,,- ,,., I-o4l,, hands and he damn quick about if
 ''The firing of three shots brought prompt and strict compliance with the order Bullets went up through the ceiling and narrowly missed one of the guests, who was sleeping. The sleeper was awaKened by the re- DOTS of the shots. Thinking there was fight on, the man upstairs re- mained where he was. Lucky dog :. He had $2,0O0 in his roll and three or four fine diamonds.
 There were three in the party. Two of them covered us with guns. Get over against that wall, the whole pack of you. Get, and get quick said the leader. We got and got quick as per orders, and then Jesse James, or whoever he was took off his hat, laid one of his Colts on the table and invited us to contributes:
 Gentlemen, you will relieve your selves of all vaIuables We are col lecting for the soldiers. Some day this little trio is going to join the army and we are starting smoke fund. The gentlemanly agent will pass amongst you-just once. Dig once and did deep. No funny business.
 That fellow almost filled his hat in Dne turn through the party, but he wasn't satisfied We had to line up . gain and he touched us all up. pluck Ing diamonds and watches right and left. He had to borrow one of the gambler's hats to hold all the stuff.
 "Preparing to leave, the boss said: We're going to leave you now, and . hon't one of you dare take your hands down for five minutes
 '"Thev then backed out toward the door and passed into the night. One waited behind to see that we obeyed orders. It was hardly necessary. we followed instructions right to the letter and at the end of half hour we looked about and took inventory The only man in the house who had B penny was the one upstairs in ped
 "Somebody woke up and thought il was time to give chase. An effort was made to start the autos outside, but the electric wires Were all cut and Il Mas impossible to start the machines A couple of fellows went ut on the road and stopped an auto and got ride into Meriden."
 For obvious reasons no complalA1 was made to the police concerning the holdup.