The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-22
F0OTPADS IN OHIO.
A prominent Merchant Stopped,
Shot and Robbed.
The COachman Also Relieved of
His "Valuabies.n

NL>SlSNAil March Il, 1874,
Your reporter to-day has obtained facts conar.
matory OF the that reached the city late last
night that Mr.. n. Is. Beper. OF the prominent lrm
OF Bepler Co.. bankers am European steam
ship ag ents, having Offices on the northwest cor
ner OF Third and Main streets, had been attacked
and probably fatally shot by highway robbers
while on his way home from the city. Mr.. Gates
who lives at sedamsvllle. Just west OF the city.
went down TO the l.. o. and l.. Railroad
depot IN the evening OF yesterday, 10 take the
ten minutes alter six O'Clock train home, and
there met Mr.. Bepler, who was also going out TO
his residence on the Delhi pike, two miles north
OF Sedamsville. They were together until the sta
ton was reached, twenty minutes later, where
Mr.. Bepler was met by his hired man with his pr
vate carriage. Mr.. Bepler. having an hour to
spare visited his brOther-ln-law, Mr.. Brehmer, in
the village, and at about hafpast seven O'Clock
entered his carriage with the driver, TO be driven
home.
ATTACK OF THE HIGHwAYMEN.
When they reached point about mile from
Sedamsvle two men jumped from the roadside
and demanded a halt. The driver, too frightened
by this sudden onslaught to make desperate
drive for liberty, at once checked up, and when
one OF the men-both OF whom were disguised
caught the horse by the brdle-rein, while the
other, pointing his pistol at the drivers head,
ordered him to give over all valuables he had about
him. silver watch comprised the amount of
his wealth. This he handed over without a pro-
peat6 his demand; but that gentleman not
easily overcome by the sight and dread
carriage, and, refusing to De deprived of money
or valuaDes, began to reason with The fellow. BY
this tune the other iOotpal mad left his post at the
horses head and came to his fellow criminals aid;
but this increase OF desperate force had no effect
on Mr.. Be .er and with his reason interspersed
some words that indicated u resistance to the last
II they attempted to take anything away from him
by force. The pistol still in the hand OF the first
man was brought to bear on Mr. Beplers breast as
an argument put laed to convince him That he
should pass over ali he had in his pockets. 1t was
at this point OF parleyins when the struggle COM
menced
THE ROBBERY EFFECTED.
Several Shots fired, but neither or which
appeared to effect It's aim though the villains sue
ceede1 In Overp0werlng their victim and filchlng
from his pockets all the money he had which was
only fifty cents and walcn During the alterca-
ton and just previous to the firing two young
ladles-the Misses Wnhams-drove up. Mr.. Bepler
frightened to hear his request, and. giving whip
and rein to the horse, drove rapidly away to give the
alarm. The robbers having effected their purpose,
fed from the road through the woods, and had not
Mr.. Bepler got into his carriage, and ordered his
driver TO 60 BACK to SEDAN svile.
MR.. BEPLER WOUNDED.
Here he notified the officers, and for the first time
felt any pain or thought OF any serious wound. He
suddenly became exhausted, and by the aid OF
friends reached his brother-in-law's residence. Dr.
Nemer was called in, and making an examination
OF MIR. Bepers injuries, found gunsnot wound
in his lett slde just above the lower rib. The cloth
ing worn by the wounded man was perforated by
Blk shots, two In the sleeve OF his coat ana four
through the body and vest; but one bali, how
ever, took enect. DR.. Neimer succeeded in
extracting the bullet, but he could give no assur-
ance that his patent would live as the course Of
the ball was in the region OF the heart, and barely
passed the vital parts. After time Mr.. Bepler
became easier, and, having secured some rest,
eviLced more favorable symptoms. HIS condition
at last report was encouraging Tor an ultimate re-
covery.
VINO committed this act no one knows, but some
citizens Of Sedamsvie report that four suspicious
characters were seen about that place yesterday.
They were strangers, and spent most OF
their time in several saloons. They
also visited five or six private houses
on trinng errands. 1t Is probable that two OF
them are responsible for the robbery and base
attempt on Nj. Bepler's life. ONcers there as well
as in this city are on the alert
The wounded man is still at the house OF his
brother-in-law, where his family was called last
night to attend las they th0ught his dying bed
side. Mr.. Beper purchased yesterday set OF
jewelry for his little daughter and had 1t with him
when the affair occurred. This also the villains
secured.