Daring Burglary, Norwich, Chenango Co., NY
Chenango Union, January 19, 1888
Between eleven and twelve o'clock Tuesday night, William Wyckoff, the barber, who occupies rooms in the basement of the Case block, on North Broad street [Norwich, Chenango Co., NY], heard an unusual noise in the clothing store of H.B Van Cott & Co., on the first floor, while there were sounds as of people scuffling or dancing on the sidewalk in front of the block. Recollecting that he had seen a party of suspicious looking characters in that vicinity a short time previous, he arose and pounded upon the ceiling, inquiring what was going on. Receiving no answer, he hurriedly dressed himself and ran into the street. Here he saw three men running towards East Side Park, and one rushed form Van Cott's store, also running in the same direction. Wyckoff gave the alarm, and night watchman McFarland, with others, came from the Eagle hotel, the officer pursuing the fleeing burglars, but failing to overtake them. Sheriff Robb was notified and Mr Van Cott, and his clerk, Mr. Burrell, called. Upon investigation it was found that the front doors of the store had been pried open with a chisel, the lock being torn out, and the doors badly mutilated. Three overcoats were missing, with a quantity of silk handkerchiefs and mufflers which hung on a line, the value of all being nearly two hundred dollars. Three chisels were found upon the floor, which were identified in the morning by J.H. Hunt as his property, his shop on Mechanic street having been entered by the removal of a light of glass from the sash door, the fastenings removed, and the chisel taken. Search was at once instituted by the officers, but as yet no clues as to the burglars have been obtained.
About one o-clock Wednesday morning, a daughter of Henry M. Grant, who resides on the Matthew Ransford farm, on the east side of the river, heard footsteps about the palce, and the stamping of a horse in the barn. She aroused her father, who took a lantern and a revolver, and went towards the barn. Here he found his cutter run out of the building, and a man standing in the open barn door. Upon inquiring what was going on, Mr. Grant was informed that the stranger was looking for a place to sleep. Some further conversation took place, when Mr. Grant heard the clicking of a pistol. He at once fired at the stranger, who promptly returned the fire. Three others then came from the barn, when Mr. Grant retreated to his house, followed by a fusillade of pistol shots. That the party "meant business" was evident from the fact that three bullet holes were found in the side of the house, one through a window, and one by the side of the door through which Mr. Grant passed. The four men finally left, and upon returning to the barn Mr. Grant found his horse harnessed, standing upon the barn floor. Evidently the unwelcome party were the burglars from the village, who intended to steal the horse and cutter with which to make their escape. Mr. Grant aroused the neighbors, who tracked the fugitives in the newly fallen snow, north to Rexford street, thence west to the O.&W. road in the village, where the track was lost. Fresh tracks were also discovered near the covered bridge on East Main Street, leading towards Mr. Grant's. It is probable that the thieves managed to board a freight train going north on the O.&W. between one and two o'clock Telegrams were sent in all directions, and the officers are on the alert.
Soon after eleven o'clock Tuesday evening, Ed Frey, clerk in Lippitt's jewelry store on North Broad street, heard parties stamping about in front of the store and in the stairway adjoining, with an occasional trial of the door. He struck a light and approached the front door, when the parties left. In the morning the door and casing bore marks of a chisel, and it was evident that an attempt was being made to enter the store when the burglars were interrupted by him. Then they commenced operations upon Van Cott's store, near by.
It is understood that four suspicious character attracted the attention of several in town on Tuesday evening, and one of our police force notified business men to be on their guard. Why precautions were not taken by the proper authorities, and an extra police force placed on duty, instead of allowing the doors of a business place on the main street of the village to be battered down early in the night, within the hearing of guardians of the night, is a question not easily answered. The party left the saloon of Thomas K. Macksey, on North Broad street where they had been once before that evening, about half-past eleven o'clock. They are described as being comfortably dressed, but dirty, as if they had occupied a coal or freight car.
LATER: There is no doubt that the burglars made their escape from town on an O.&W. freight train going north, as responses to telegrams show that four persons answering their description boarded a Central train at Oneida, Wednesday morning.
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