Year: 1875

OXFORD, n. j. October 20.


A thrilling affair took place here, this
morning, shortly after O'clock. in the
ufice of the Oxford Iron Company, which
was catered by gang Of burglars during
the temporary absence ofthe night watch'
man, William Ii. Soaring, who had gone
into the basement of the building, as was
his custom, to see that all was right. On
returning toithe office he was startled to
see crouching beside the safe human
figure pcering intenIly in his direction
through mask, and apparently making
ready to spring upon him. 1t was an
awful moment. He was alone, and at
once the thought flashed across his mind
that gaNs of burglars must be hidden
around the Office. He determined to sell
his life dearly if he must, and drawing
his revolver, no discharg ged it at the burg
lar beside the safe, and sent ball
whizzing through his heart. A stihed
cry of pain, and the thief, with bound,
leaped from his STOPPING posture and fell
heavily on the floor, never to rise again.
His three companions seeing the tragic
occurrence, leaped from their hiding
places, their faces being disguised by
masks, and one of them drawing a club,
struck the brave watchman with it and
knocked him lown. Soaring struggled
with them for dear life, and twice again
discharged Lis pistol, but the desperaGoes
at len 9TH Gisarmed him and got him com.
pleteIy in their power. just as they
were about to place pair of manacles
upon Lis wrists a lage dog named Major.
came bounding the stairs, and seeing the
situation leapcd into the fray and fought
furiOusly for his master. The struggle
was most desperate and sangulnary one
it was life for life. and for nearly a mortal
hour it lasted. the dog Major rolling up
and down tho Office floor. The faithful
dog did noble service, slashing about him
with will, and giving the burglars no
quarters, until at length, feeling they had
sufficient Of his fangs, they fed in the
most abject terror, leaving behind them
the dead body of their miserable compan-
ion lying in his blood upon the floor. AS
may well be supposed, the watchman and
dog were fairly fatgued, but fearful lest
another attack might be made before day
break they stood on guard. The thieves
did not return, however. Later in the
day, as soon as the community were astir.
an alarm was given, and the route tho
thieves took was traced by II heavy trail
of blood, which one of them, doubtless
mOrtally wounded, marked in making his
escape. About half a mile diotont an
old suit of clothes was discovered beside
pool of blood at the foot of tree, where
the bleeding burglar must have changed
his apparel. On tie railroad valise
was picked up, containing complete set
of burglars tools. The watchman did not
identify any Of the rufians, nor can the
face of the dead burglar be recognized,
even by tke detective who arrived here
from New York, this afternoon, for that
purpose. The burglars affected an en-
trance to the building through the Pres.
idents Office. Had they even succeeded
in rining the safe they would not have
secured any money worth speaking of. az
the Company generally take the prccau>
ton Of securing the cash, every evening,
in some better protected place. .--New
York HeruLL r@" ...'.