Attempted Robbery
Chenango Union, January 16, 1890
The Marathon Independent gives an account of a bold attempt at robbery in the town of Lapeer [Cortland Co., NY]. At a little before midnight Sunday, the 5th inst., Rev. E.C. Cowles of that town was awakened by his daughter, who informed him that someone was knocking at the door. Mr. Cowles arose and lighting a lamp went to a window opening upon the piazza, and saw a man dressed in a gray suit of clothes standing by the door. He asked what he wanted and was told that he had a message for him from Marathon. He at once opened the door, when the ruffian thrust the muzzle of a revolver in his face and demanded his money. Mr. Cowles' left hand was useless from a bad wound and he seemed to be at the robber's mercy. The daughter, however proposed to split his head open with the poker, and at the same time shouted that she knew the man. The rascal did not seem to be afraid of Mr. Cowles, but when the woman started for him with the poker he took to his heels and ran, hotly pursued by the minister. Before the latter could overtaken him he gained the friendly shelter of a piece of woods, after firing two shots from his revolver. A few days before this occurrence the friends of Mr. Cowles had made his a surprise and left quite a sum of money with him. Undoubtedly the fellow knew this, and intended to have the cash for his own needs. The courage displayed by Mr. Cowles and his daughter probably saved his premises from being ransacked by the cowardly scamp. Miss Cowles is in the habit of going to Binghamton every Saturday, where she has a class in music on Monday, but last Saturday for some reason she did not go. As both Mr. and Mrs. Cowles are in feeble health, they could have made but feeble resistance had they been alone.
There are few prettier and more intelligent girls, and certainly none braver, than Miss Ellen Cowles, daughter of the Rev. E.C. Cowles, pastor of the Methodist Church at Lapeer, Cortland County. The parishioners and friends of Mr. Cowles made him the other night a "donation visit." Chief among the gifts was a purse well filled with green backs.
This was probably the chief incentive to an attempted robbery. On the night following the donation, at about midnight, the inmates of the parsonage were aroused from sleep by a banging at the front door. The pastor arose, and after partially dressing himself unsuspectingly opened the front door. A big man, dressed in gray clothes and with his face concealed by a mask, thrust the muzzle of a revolver close to the pastor' head and gruffly said: "Give me all the money you've got in the house, and be quick about it!"
Amazed at this greeting, the pastor began to back away from the door and to parley with the robber, who followed his movements closely, reiterating the demand. The affrighted wife of the preacher alternately screamed for help and begged the robber to spare her husband's life. At this juncture Miss Cowles appeared upon the scene, clad only in her night clothes and armed with a poker, which she had caught up as she came through the kitchen. She exclaimed to the robber, "I know you and I'll see you hanged," at the same time rushing in between her father and the intruder, and striking at the latter with the poker. Perhaps the fellow thought that she had recognized him in spite of his disguise, or perhaps he feared the outcries made by the women would bring the neighbors upon him. he abandoned his purpose and retreated from the house. The plucky girl followed him out into the yard, , whereupon, probably to frighten her from further pursuit, he fired two shots in the air and fled.
The Pastor's Plucky Daughter
Buffalo Express, January 14, 1890
There are few prettier and more intelligent girls, and certainly none braver, than Miss Ellen Cowles, daughter of the Rev. E.C. Cowles, pastor of the Methodist Church at Lapeer, Cortland County. The parishioners and friends of Mr. Cowles made him the other night a "donation visit." Chief among the gifts was a purse well filled with green backs.
This was probably the chief incentive to an attempted robbery. On the night following the donation, at about midnight, the inmates of the parsonage were aroused from sleep by a banging at the front door. The pastor arose, and after partially dressing himself unsuspectingly opened the front door. A big man, dressed in gray clothes and with his face concealed by a mask, thrust the muzzle of a revolver close to the pastor' head and gruffly said: "Give me all the money you've got in the house, and be quick about it!"
Amazed at this greeting, the pastor began to back away from the door and to parley with the robber, who followed his movements closely, reiterating the demand. The affrighted wife of the preacher alternately screamed for help and begged the robber to spare her husband's life. At this juncture Miss Cowles appeared upon the scene, clad only in her night clothes and armed with a poker, which she had caught up as she came through the kitchen. She exclaimed to the robber, "I know you and I'll see you hanged," at the same time rushing in between her father and the intruder, and striking at the latter with the poker. Perhaps the fellow thought that she had recognized him in spite of his disguise, or perhaps he feared the outcries made by the women would bring the neighbors upon him. he abandoned his purpose and retreated from the house. The plucky girl followed him out into the yard, , whereupon, probably to frighten her from further pursuit, he fired two shots in the air and fled.
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