The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-06-10
singular Discovery OF a Robber.


singular Discovery OF sobber.
great deal of excitement has recently been
created in the higher classes of the Austrian
capital, by the remarkable aud somewhat ro-
mantle developements of numerous heavy rob-
berries, which for years past, have been commit
ted in and near the metropolis, by oze OF more
malefactors, whose whereabouts it imposs-
BILE to trace out In order to give thorough
insight into the matter, we must begin at pc
riOd when the existence of this gang was proved
by their actions.
Towards the close Of October, 1848, during
fine and clear autumnal night, the travelling car
riage Of Mr.. Edward C. Brooks, wealthy mer-
chant Of London, who then his way back
to Vienna, from long tour in Upper Italy and
the Lombardic provinces, y-as stopped within
three miles Of Vienna, in the most populous part
Of the country. One man only resented him
self at the coach window, and courteously, but
firmly, demanded the surrender of whatever
valubles the inmates OF the conveyance posses
sed. With Mr.. Brooks there were two ladies,
his wife and her younger sister, the latter of
whom had already drawn her purse, and was in
the act of handing it to the highwayman, when
her extended arm was fractured by a pistol shot
from Mr.. Brooks, who having perceived the
movement of his sister-in-law, had from the
back of the carriage quietly taken aim at the
robber, with view Of answering the impudent
demand. The report of the pistol brought, be-
side the two men who guarded the coachman and
horses, three more individuals to the support of
the highwayman; the traces were cut in an in
slant, the coaChman was lashed TO his seat and
the highwaymen prepared to avenge the death
Of their leader, who lay, apparently inanimate
on the ground.
The doors Of the cGlesbe we're torn open, but
| the spectacle which there presented itself, was
such as to make the robbers pause before they
launched out upon the mission of revenge
Miss Perry, the wounded lady, lay in the arms
of her sister, whose speechless agony proved
| the horror which she felt at the occurrence
Mr.. Brooks, still ignorant that it was he who
inflicted the injury, had nevertheless abandon
| ed all ideas of resistance, and yanly en-
deayoring to staunch the blood, which flowed in
torrents from the ghastly wound. For some
minutes the highwaymen looked upon this
mounrful scene, until low moan from their
leader, reminded them ef the necessity Of giving
| him that attention which his condition peremp-
| torially called for. \ few minutes suffced to
| prove that he WAS not dangerously wounded :;
| the bullet, after fracturing the slender arm of
Miss Perry, had spent itself against his chest
causing what the German call PreILsehuSs, and
| though it did not penetrate the flesh, had still
| force enough to break bone or two without
| any other outward sign than small black spot
on the place where the leaden messenger struck
The chief soon recovered. and was able to ride
| of, while he had left his followers in charge of
the carriage, giving strict orders not 10 plunder
the Englishman and mis- family, but to give them
! every assistance TO enable them to reach Vienna
as early as possible, that the young lady might
| obtain medical aid. The orders we're executed
! TO the letter Mr.. Brooks saw his horses put 10
the carriage by his late assailants, who exhibi-
! ted the most respectful bearing towards him.
anu seemed rather TO wish him good than evil
so much indeed was he taken by the conduct Of
the men, that on parting he give a dimond ring
Of great value to him who had been left in com
mand by the chief, with orders 10 hand it over
| to his master, az token Of his gratitude for
the consideration which had been extended TO
the suffering lady.
The occurrence caused an extraordinary SEN
| sation at Vienna Apart from the boldness of
the act, the standing of Mr.. Brooks and his en-
! ergetic action, the result of the encounter, so
far as Miss Perry was concerned, gave sufficient
interest to the matter for to remain the stand
ing topic for many weeks. AS to the injured
lady, she suffered greatly from the severe wound,
but recovered without the loss of her arm,
! which at first it seemed impossible to save
Though Mr. Brooks dscountenanced all efforts
to trace out the individual who stopped his car
riage, the police nevertheless caused the most
minute inquiries to be made, but without the
slightest success.
month or two passed quietly away, when
the news of another attack on the highway this
time accompanied with robbery to heavy a.
mount, startled the police from their apathy, to
which they had abandoned themselves since they
saw their erts to point out the perpetratrs of the
previous robbery fruitless. Attack followed at
tack at four or six weeks interval, and they were