Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-04-30
A STRANGE STORY.

A few days since medical man namee
Philippe died in a village ffear Paris, where
he had resided many years, and had acquir'
ed great reputation for skill and problty
He never demanded any remuneration, ex'
cent from those who were in circumstances
to be able to pay him and during the las'
visit of the cholera he was indefatigabe in
his attention to the suffering poor. Last year
an Englishman, travelling in that part Of
the country, was taken SO suddenly i'll that
he was obliged to stop at an Inn in the COM
mune, and DR.. Philippe was sent for
Scarcely, however had he arrived at the
bedside of the patient when the latter be-
came violently agitated and his count
enance changed exceedingly. The doctor
appeared also to be much agitated, and at
once ordered every one out of the room.
When that was done the door was locked
on the inside. The landlady being curious
to know what was going on listened atthe
door but the conversation was carried ON IN
a language which she did not understand !;
she however heard the patient exclaim in
French, ASSASSIN assassin? after which
a violent alteration ensued. The English
man appeared to threaten, and the doctor
to supplicate him. The latter afterward
left the room and went into the kitchen,
where he prepared some medicine, which
he ordered to be given to the patient sever
al times during the night. On the follow,
ing day the stranger was much worse, and
feeling his end approaching, he made sign
for pen, ink, and paper, and wrote few
words in English, which the landlady gave
the mayor of the commune, who not under
standing the language, threw it into draw
er, where it was forgotten. The stranger
died the same evening.
A few days since the mayor when called
on to register the death of the doctor, who IN
his turn had paid the debt Of humanity,
thought of this paper, and on showing it to
his nephew, who understood the language,
it was found that DR.. Philippe was no 9TH
er than the famous Pattieson noted rob-
ber of the United States, all tracesof whom
had been lost. The Englishman had recog,
nized him as the man who had twenty years
before, attempted to murder him, while trav-
elling in the State of Vermont in America.
The Mayor Immediately proceeded to the
house of DR.. Philippe to institute an inqui-
ry. He found that he had, during his ILL
ness, refused to be addressed and had made
the persons who had attended him promise
that he should be buried in the clothes ne
then wore. The mayor, however, ordered
the body to be undressed, when it was In
reality very spare man, although ne al,
ways appeared stout, the bulk being caused
by his wearing clothes wadded most thickly..
His legs were also bandaged up. and one OF
his feet found to be very skillfully made
artificial one. The body was covered
with marks of wounds. In dark clos
ct there were found several chests fastened
with triple locks; and on these being for.
ced open, they were found to contain arms OF
varfons kinds, watches, gold coins of various
nations, and diamonds and jewels to con-
siderable value. Particulars of this dicoVe-
ry have been transmitted tot Government
and copy sent to the authorities OF the
State Of Verment.- Gaaignani,