The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-12-30

crackers and cheese. DR.. Reynolds left the
store aud sent boy after Mr.. Melvin w.
Weir. In a very short time Mr.. Weir ar
rived, and Reynolds told him that there was
a man in the store who ans wered the descrip-
ton OF the noted Rodifer, the escaped con:
yict. Weir had seen Rodifer only short
time since, when he was being broughtfrom
Terre Haute on the cars to Jacksonville.
He knew that il the man Was Rodi-
fer he would know him; so he
started in the store. Just as he got opposite,
the man raised bis eyes and looked sharply
at Weir, who looked searchingly at him.
There could be no mistake in the looks of
the two men as they glared at each other;
the recognition was mutual and instantane-
Gus. Weir knew that the man before hi0
was Rodifer, the escaped convict, aud Rodi-
fer knew that he was recognized. Weir
wheeled around and left the store. Rodlfer,
for it was he, Immediately followed him out.
AS Weir came out of the door he met Con-
stable Fl. Huckelberry, who was standing on
the platform, and said to him: '-& .5 f,s
Huckelberry, that man." pointing to Ro.
differ, who, in the mean time, had come out,
SIS Rotlifer." .1
At this remark Rodifer drew from his side
pocket large carving-knife with ten-incb
blade. He at firstacted as though he would
place himself on the defensive, but mo-
ment's reflection seemed to change his tactics,
and he turned and ran, with the knife clutched
In his hand. He was closely followed by DR..
Reynolds, James HeistoD, Mel. Weir, and
Clint. Thompson. Rodlfer ran like deer
down the Charlestown pike aud through the
yard of Aleck Ball to an alley. Weir ran
into bis house, next to BalPS, and got bis re-
volYer. When be came out, Rodifer was
running down the alley to street, closely
pursued by number of citizens. On this
Street was blacksmith.shop, in front of
which was hitched horse belonging to
William Mcclure, of HenryVllle. Rodifer
sprang up to the side of the horse
and slashed away with bis knife at
the bride-reins, severing them from their
fastening. The next moment he was on the
back Of the animal and of like the wind.
During this time half of the population of
Memphis were alarmed and in pursuit. Two
of the pursuers had also procured horses,
and the race was exciting. Weir, with seye-
raj others, had armed themselves, and were
about seventy-fye yards behind the flying
fugitive. The citizens on horseback were
close on Rodifer, having the best horses.
Rodifer kept down the pike, urging bis horse
forward to all speed that it was capable OF,
prickiug the poor animal in The flank to make
him go faster. Seeing that his pursuers were
gaining upon him, Rodlfer made Tor the
woods. . a.E,4 # .ed ..~.-.t r. 4
He had Just reached the edge of the woods
when be suddenly wheeled and turned his
horse square around, facing all Of his pursur
ers. He then firmly grasped the rein With
his left hand and bent his body forward, and
81, ia sp bo hopt IF tho hnrca'
which caused him to plunge madly forward
and come tearing down upon his pursuers.
This bold and unexpected movement startled
his pursuers, and before they could recover
from their surprise Rodifer was right in their
midst cutting his horse 10 the fink and do
ing his utmost to ride through the party.
An eyewitness Of the scene at this time de-
scribes Rodifer as looking more like demon
than human creature. He had raised him
self up in the stirrups, and seemed deter
mined to run the dangerous gauntlet The
horse and its daring rider were surrounded
by this time by fifteen or twenty men,
who were armed with clubs and brickbuts,
and several with reyolvers. The two men
on horseback were by Rodifer's side, strik-
ing at him. Rodifer. still kept cutting his
horse and making superhuman exertions to
force him through the crowd, which was
every moment growing larger. at this
iuncture man named William Mcclure
struck Rodifer a powerful blow with club
across the neck and shoulders. The blow
seemed to stagger Rodifer for moment only,
and he still kept urging his horse onward.
a son Of DR.. Apologize about this time
struck Rodifer terrific blow in the small Of
the back with large club. This caused
him to cry out with pain. Just then
two pistol-shots were fired, and the
poor horse gave q bound to the
side of the road, stumbling, and throw
ing Rodifer of. he fell, or, rather, jumped
on his feet to the ground. Five or six men
here rushed up to him With loaded reyolvers.
Melvin Weir placed a revolver at bis breast
and told him to give up. Rodfer cast look
ut the men around him, threw his knife on
the ground, and said =" It's no use; sur
render" He was Immediately TIED and
taken back to the town. When the noon
train on the Jacksonville road came down
he was taken on the cars by Melvin wen,
Dr.. Reynolds, and Clint. Thompson, and oy
these three men safely delivered over 10
Warden Shuler at the States prison IN JET
fersonville esterday afternoon, and received
the reward OF $3.50. T. 4
ON his way down In the cars Rodifer was
morose and snlien, and had but little to say.
He confessed the robbery in New Albany
Tuesday night, and stated that be slept on
the knobs all night Wednesday. He wanted
TO know how much reward had been offered
for him and when told said that he; was
glad that his captors would get 1t, and that
he did not blame them. he said that ne
would escape againi If he got chance. He
refused to tel where he stayed the day OF bis
escape. Great credit is due the good people
Of Memphis, Ind, for their securing one OF
the most desperate men In the western ooun D,
try. III. - ge
Clara Louise Kellogg sold ferns st one
dollar and twenty, fye cents esch at the
Washington stea.party. !" a dollar for the
fern and twenty cents FOR the pin, please s
Z One OF the notes from Washington, Of
;generai interest is that Thdrman Is gaming
Strength conrinually as a presidential candi.
date. Tbs Democracy look 70 sbin as the
coming oinciaaoti gomn,eyes 81 | =:
ss Tbe Piehborne cssanant II to b. employed
as tailor, and u 10 finish his sentence %