The New Hampshire Gazette

Robbery and attempt at murder!

One of the most daring Robberies and attempts at murder was committed last Friday evening between 10 and 11 o'clock, in Bath: perhaps never equalled any where. Capt. Thayer, master of a brig from Providence, called at Mr. Winship's public house to pay some money to a gentleman whom he expected to find there: after waiting till 10 o'clock, and the person not coming, he set out with an intention of going on board his vessel. The moon gave a considerable light but was occasionally obscured with clouds—just as he had got to the head of the wharf, and within a few rods of his vessel, two Ruffians rushed out from behind a building: one of them seizing him by the throat, asked him if his name was Thayer; being answered in the affirmative, the other searched his pockets, and took therefrom his Pocket-Book, containing four bills of the L. and K. Bank, of One Hundred Dollars each he then fired a pistol, the muzzle of which was placed against his side; the ball passed through his coat and waistcoat and struck against one of the buttons of his suspenders, leaving the entire impression of the size of the bullet there. On and some of the lead was also left on the button—The force of the ball was so great that the button was driven into his side some ways, and the parts around for several inches was dreadfully bruised, and has caused him to raise a considerable quantity of blood. It is allowed by every person that has seen the wound, that a more providential escape from death never perhaps ever happened. After the Villains had fired they took from him his watch, and they left him precipitately, thinking they had prevented him from making any alarm.—The whole transaction was so instantaneous that Capt. Thayer could not distinguish their countenances. One of them was a considerable taller than the other, and had on a great coat. the other had on a short jacket and white trowsers. Search was immediately made, but no discovery.