INDEPENDENCE, VA., April 13, 1901 – The store of J. W. Perkins, of Flat Ridge, in this county, was entered by thieves Tuesday 1ight and his iron safe cracked and robbed of about $40, being all cash on hand.

Wednesday night the store of A. E. Parsons, of Mouth of Wilson, was entered and his iron safe blown open and robbed of all cash on hand, together with some checks and notes. Mr. Parsons does not know really how much he did lose.

The same night the large iron safe of the Fields-Hoch Manufacturing Co., at Mouth of Wilson, was cracked and robbed of more than $300, besides checks and notes.

A blacksmith’s sledge hammer and a chisel were found near the safe of the company this morning. The people have no clue whatever as to the perpetrators of these bold robberies.

This is the first time that Grayson county has ever been visited by such a gang and excitement runs high.

The Fields-Hoch Manufacturing Company operate the largest woolen factory in this section of the State, and no stone will be left, unturned in their attempt to discover the thieves.

The Mt. Rogers and Eastern Railroad Company, chartered at the extra session of the Legislature, have put a corps of engineers in the field, and they are now surveying a route from this place eastward to Rocky Mount, Franklin county.

The people have great confidence in this company, and it is thought in a few years the iron horse will be heard thundering through the mountain gorges and fertile valleys of Grayson.

From “The Times” (newspaper} in Richmond, VA – April 14, 1901