Progressive Batavian Batavia, Genesee County, New York State September 10-1875 Great Robbery at Hermitage, Wyoming County. On Friday night last, a daring and successful robbery was perpetrated at Hermitage, Wyoming county. The victim of this robbery is Mr. James L. BLODGETT, Postmaster at Hermitage. He is a bachelor, and only his aged mother, a woman of some 80 years, resides in the house with him. He is a wealthy man and a money lender, and it was generally known he usually kept considerable money in his safe. On Friday night he had retired to bed, as usual, and the first intimation he had of anything wrong was the flashing of a light in his face, and a voice exclaiming "here he is." Immediately two powerful men rushed upon him and seized him before he could rise up, much less reach his pistols. He struggled fiercely to release himself, and in so doing tore the covering from the face of one of the robbers, so that he caught a sight of the man's features, by which he thinks he would be able to recognize him. Finally they got a sheet around his neck and choked him to a condition of insensibility. Then they gagged him with a piece of wood, handling him so roughly as to knock out two of his teeth, and procuring a clothes line from the yard, bound him fast to the bedstead. The desperadoes numbered three, inside the house, and Mrs. BLODGETT< who was up and saw the whole performance of breaking and rifling the safe, says she saw, also, another one outside keeping watch. The rascals said to Mrs. BLODGETT, with a pistol exhibition by way of emphasis, "Mother, we don't want to hurt you, but you must keep quiet," and she dared not do otherwise. After securing Mr. BLODGETT, two of them stood guard while the other broke open the safe with a sledge and abstracted therefrom $10,000 or $12,000 in currency. None of the bonds which the safe contained were taken. After completing their work of rifling the safe they asked Mrs. BLODGETT for something to eat, and she directed them to the pantry, from which they obtained a hearty lunch. They then ordered Mrs. B. into her bedroom, and getting a long scantling, they braced it against the door so as effectually to fasten her in, and then took their departure. Going to the barn of Rev. Mr. HORTON a Baptist minister, residing not far distant, they appropriated his horse and buggy to aid them in their escape. After driving about five miles the vehicle broke down, and they abandoned it. After considerable difficulty Mr. BLODGETT loosed himself, and he then lost no time in calling out the neighbors, but the thieves had made good their escape in the darkness. He offers a thousand dollars reward for their capture, and we understand Mr. H. BLODGETT, of Pike, Wyoming county, a brother of James, and who is partner in the loss, offers another thousand for the same purpose. *** submitted by Linda C. Schmidt *********************************************