Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-08-19

Granville MonGe1le and his E&D2Oltss@-
a Daring MGrse-Thie1.


Reliable information received here leaves no
doubtabout the fact that Granville Montellelsat
the head of a regularly organized band Of horse
thieves, With active members 10 many OF the
counties on the route between Richmond and
the Potomac river, and with efficient agents
and accomplices in this city, Washington, Alex
anaria, an Baltimore. Its really astonishing
that their operations can be carried on upon such
lare escale in these days of the telegraph, rail
road, and detective police, with such impunlty
But it is even so, and Our readers would De
greatly surprised could we lay before them any
thing like an accurate estimate OF the value or
the horse flesh stolen by this band during the
past sig months.
Granville Montelle, the chief and executive
officer Of the gang, is now known and feared IN
| nearly all Of the eastern counties, and many
are the stories that are told OF his daredevil
exploits and generous forbearance. There
seems to be disposition to make hero OF
him; and indeed, he seems himself ambitious
to rank as gentleman Of the road With
Claude Duyal, Dick Turpin, aud Sixteen-Strlog
Jack. with this difference: his specially is fine
horses instead Of fat purses. lie scorns poor
animal, and will sometimes even pass by a first
rate ssddle-horse. He glorles 10 blooded stock
and fast trootters His agents keep him pos;
ted as to the whereabouts Of two, three and
five hundred dollar animals, and If he once
slips the bride over horses head that horse
is gone. It is said that he never takes the last
horse from the pillow, and swears that he Would
rather Quit the business than rob poor man !!
It may not be generally known that Montellc
is Richmond man, and is the son OF respecta-
BILE parents. Many Of our citizens remember
him as wild, harum-scarum, mlschleVous but
penteel bow. His first known exploit was the
Stealing of COW. This crime has been fol-
| lowed by many of the same grade; but he has
never been accused Of murder, although he
goes douby armed, and has several times eX-
changed shots with those who have attempted
his capture Once, We remember, IN the streets
of Petersburg.
Montelle has been three tine5 in the peul-
rentiary and many times in jail, almost as often
making bis escape. He was last convicted IN
the Circuit Court of Petersburg, and it being
for his third penitentiary offence, he was sent
there for life. Being received within those
gloomy walls, he behaved himselfl in the most ex-
ampIary manner, winning the commentator OF
all the prison officers. But four months had
not elapsed before he made his escape, and
with him two other convicts. lie did not hes
itate at once to resume his old trade, but stole
'-N
line into Hanover county Since that time his
exploits have frequently received notice at our
hand. After two or three months IN West
Virginia he boldly returned to Richmond, and
has several times been seen on the streets by
those who knew him when he was an honest
man. On one occasion he refined up his horse
in front of q bar.room near Bacon's Quarter
branch, and handing "a bystander some money,
requested him to go in and bring out bottle
of whiskey, begging to be excused Tor asking
the favor, but urging, by way of apology, Il
am Granville Montelle, and it isn't altogether
safe for me 10 be lingering about Richmond "
lie got the Whiskey.
He swears by all that's holy, that he will
never be taken alive. He is described as about
thirty FIVE years of age, five feet eleven inches
high, with dark hair and hazel eyes. He is
marked by scars on the forehead, on the fingers
of his right hand, and between the first and sec
ond fingers Of his lett; also by a scar on his let
leg, from the kick of a horse. When last heard
from he was near Dumfries, Prince William
county, probably On his way to the Potomac
river. The police should have an eye On his
suspected accomplices in this city. Rich. Dis,
ooofn1 ...