The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-02-27
A BLACK CLAUDE DUVAL.
THE CAREER OF HARRY BLACK, OF
RICHMOND, "a.

THE CAREER OF HARhH BLACK, OE
RICHMOND, "a.
His Adventures In the United States,
England and France-How he Came
to Grief In Paris.
During two years past negro of herculean
frame and about forty years old has been per-
forming as juggler at various provincial
cities OF France. he named himself Henry
(or Harry Buck, "the Vlrginiau juggler,"
and by hls extraordinary ieats achieved 80
much celebrity that he was Aually engaged at
the Cirque Rationale, in Paris, where his per-
formances every night were applauded by The
delighted spectators to the echo.
Buck lived with very light mulatto woman
at o very pretty cottage In the suburbs of
Passy, and was iond OF giving little suppers
to bis friends of the circus, wnom he always
treated with lavish hospitality, which would
have excited suspicion but for the fact that he
received salary OF TWO hundred francs a
week, an extraordinary compensation in that
line of business In France. 10 reality, how
ever. the jugg'er Increased his earnings by
prowling In the night through the aristocratic
suburbs of Paris as d hlghwayman. He must
have carried on this nefarious business for
searched there were found nearly one hum
dred gold AND silver watches, besides count
less articles OF jewelry. 1t was found also that
he had regularly deposited In one OF the Par
isian savings banks Sums far exceeding The
salary which he received at the Cirque Nation-
ale. The manner In which he acted as high
wayman may be best seen from what oc-
Cured during the affair which led to his ar
rest and conviction.
On the l6Lh of January, between IL and IL
P. NJ, Monsieur Baretre, retired banker OF
Paris, who owns q sumptuCuS villa at Passy,
returned In hack from Paris 10 his home.
The hack stopped al the gate, and drove on
as soon as N. Birelre had alighted. A
second or two aiterward, before the old
banker had been able 10 open the gate, which
was locked, tall, dark form rushed upon
him, and
sEISNa HIM By TIE COLLAR.
exclaimed in low tone, "Qui;k, give me
your money and your watch !" NJ. Baretre,
as matter OF course, was not little startled
at the sudden appearance Of the stranger, and
his surprise changed 10 downright terror
when he looked bis assaiant In the face and
saw that he was as black as the ace OF spades,
while the frm expression OF the mans eyes
lent additional significance to the threat,
will be bad for you |" The old banker wanted
to open his mouth, but he was sllenced by
the appearance of pistol which the mys-
terious and formidable highwayman levelled
at his head. There wes nothing left for n.
Baretre but to surrender his purse and watch
to the robber. SNOW You will give me your
handkerchief" said the robber. The banker
produced 1t. The robber lhereupon lied II
very tight around the old gentleman's face,
no DOUBT in order to blindfold and gag him at
the same time. Then he dealt his victim a
terrible blow on the head and ran away. he
had probably thought that this wonld stun The
banker, but he was mistaken. N. Baretre wore
Wig, and the latter
BROKE THE FORCE OF THE BLOW
In part. In q moment he was on his feet
again, tore the handkerchief from bis face,
and cried out In shrill voice, "Murder, rob-
bers, thieves IN policeman stationed In q
neighborlng avenue heard his cres, and lhe
highwayman was arrested. n. Baretre iden-
titled him at once at the station house, ana
there the prisoner made the following state
ment to the police commissioners in charge:
"My name ls Henry Buck. am torLy.onc
wears old. My birthplace Ia 10 Richmond, 10
Virginia, North America, where was slave
for twenty-five years. In 1854 l ran away
from my master, and fed 10 Canada. Being
a good hoster, l found ready employment,
burgh at Toronto. I travelled with 1t until
1869. and learnt my present business, Jug
CLING. 1 appeared ln nearly every large city
10 America. During the civil war, l made
New York my headquarters, and being taken
sick. left the circus business, aud opened q
restaurant; but lost money, and then went
Into the army Of the Union, as sergeant In q
colored regiment, but deserted soon after.
ward, and Joined another circus. In 1868
came TO England, aud In 1870 TO France.
have been punished repeatedly In America,
and twice in England, for assaults, but have
never been long In prison. / am married and
have two children. cannot deny having as.
saulted the complainant deny to answer
as to other crimes may have committed
while In Paris. desire counsel"
On the following morning the black high
wayman was taken 10 the Mazis prison,
In Paris, and subjected 10 q rigid exsmlna.
tiou al lhe hands oil the Judge d'inslructlon,
who succeeded In worming full confession
out OF him. From this confession II turns out
that Buck had robbed whenever the weather
was favorable, aud that his victims mad gene
rally fallen an easy prey, his black face, which
nearly oil of them had taken Tor mask.
having almost always struck terror Into tnelr
hearts. No one had ever suspected that ne
was the author OF these crimes. Ho had
dressed very iashlonably, and bis intercourse
with people 10 z ,od circumstances mad pre-
cluded any surveillance over bis acts on Inc
part of the police. On January FL ne was
taken before the Seine tribunal, and on his
confession In the Baretre case, sentenced 10
five years transportation. he was, however,
sent back to The HaZas Jail In order 10 oe
tried on numerous other charges OF hi2hway
robbery, aud It s hardly doubtful but that ne
will os transported for lie.