The Andrew County Republican

Last week, about 2 o'clock, who rode out from St. Joseph, our friend Mr. Terhune, accomplished the most audaciously bold robbery we have heard of for a long time.

These men entered the house of Mr. M. B. Vancleave, an old settler and much respected citizen, living about five miles from St. Joe, on the Rochester road, and most nonchalantly called Mrs. Vancleave by her given name, her husband being absent from home. This startled the good lady, who had not the remotest idea who her strange visitors were, or what could be the object of their intrusion.

Mrs. Vancleave, under the circumstances, displayed great coolness and presence of mind. She was not long left in doubt as to the object of the intruders. Drawing their weapons, the highway robbers demanded the money in the house, saying that if the demand was not instantly complied with, they would take the lives of every one of the inmates, consisting of two ladies and one old gentleman. The ladies were given to understand that the least noise would result in their instant death. Resistance being impossible by two defenseless women and one feeble old man, the robbers quickly secured what they went for.

There were $100, which was kept for safety in a bureau drawer. This, by menaces and threats with drawn pistols, they soon discovered, and appropriating it to themselves they hastily left the house, leaving no traces behind of whither they went, and nothing by which they could be identified.

The officers of justice are in pursuit of the villains, and it is to be hoped that they will be captured and have condign punishment meted out to them for their crime. They were apparently young men and when first seen approaching the house they were on foot. This robbery is well calculated to startle the community. It would appear that the perpetrators must have known that Mr. Vancleave had the money in the house, and that he himself was at the time absent from home.

It is thought that one or more of the miscreants have before been up before our courts for misdemeanors. Should they be caught a more severe judgment awaits them than they have heretofore succeeded in obtaining.