The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-11-16

A BOLD ROBBERY-A SEARCH-DIsCOv-
ERY-ATTEAlPTED ARREsT-BURNT Pow
ER-PURsUIT-FINAL ESCAPE Sat-
urday morning last, about five O'Clock, sew
eral eolored men engaged in sweeping out the
Augusta National Bank, heard the Jingle of
glass, and running to the door discovered
that one of the beautiful show windows Of
Maj. Newton's new store room had been
broken. They called Justify for the police,
and in Il few seconds Mr.. Hamilton came
to the scene, but no traces of the thief could
be noticed. On examination, later in the
morning, it was found that only couple of
pairs Of shoes had been taken, the thief
reaching his hand through the broken win
dow, without entering the establishments
During the day some wagoners from High
land county, were in the store to make pur-
chases, and having heard of the robbery, re-
marked that i colorcd man had been TO the
trying to sell them. Mr.. A. A. Eskrldge.
one of the CLERKS, determined to take this
clue and follow it up, if possible. He ar
ranged with the teamsters to inform him
when the .negro returned to complete his
barter. No information reaching him, Mr..
Eskridge went to the wagon-yard, and found
that the teams had left. Proceeding to the
Valley Railroad depot, he found the wagons,
and the negro i'll one of them, with the
shoes in his hand. He approached him and told
him to ''come along" The man declined, re-
marking. 81 didn't steal your shoes" 81
didn't break your window before the mat
ter had been mentioned to him. Mr.. Eskridge
told him to come along, at the same time
taking him by the collar, and asking the
teamsters to assist in the arrest, when the ne
gro said positively that he would not go. Mr..
E. drew small pocket pistol, and told the
boy to ''come along This he declined,
and made q scientific pass at Eskridge. accom-
panying it with an effort to get away. Esk-
ridge fired, the ball striking the fellow in the
back of the neck. He clasped the arm, and
exclaimed, Nov boss, you have shot me,
let me go.'' He was told 10 ''come along" He
still resisted, Eskridge telling him that he
would shoot him again, if he did not. He
struck at f. again, when that troublesome
customer snapped his pistol twice, with the
muzzle near the negroes breast. IT becom-
ing rather serious, the boy made Il desperate
effort, broke loose and took to his heels. As
he run two shots were sent after him, striking
him, it Is thought, in the shoulder and leg
Several persons were called on to stop him,
but they did not interfere, saying they were
afraid the negro was armed. He crossed the
lots from the depot towards Gen. Echols'
residence. Mr.. Edward Echols was stand
IN the back yard with his fowling piece in
his hand, ready for a bird hunt. He COM
manded the thiefto stop, but he paid no at
tention to him, but increased his spead. Mr.
Echols. not wishing to shoot him, and not
really knowing what the boy was fleeing
from, fred off his fowling piece. The negro
looked back ard laughed, measuring off the
ground in the meantime, at rapid pace. Mr..
Eskridge continued the pursuit, accompa-
MED by Il couple of boys, the negro dropping
his coat, vest and shoes, as though to strip
himself for race for dear life. This test of
speed was kept mp for several miles through
fields, over hills, into the woods and then
the open space, until finally the sable athlete
eluded his pursuers and made good his es-
cape. 1t is believed he has three bullet
wounds, and from his embarrassed move
mentss it is thought one or two OF them are
severe. Mr.. Eskrdge recovered the stolen
shoes and thought in as trophies the coat and
vest of the thief, the collar of the coat being
marked with blood from the first shot
t. was the purpose at first TO summon one
Of the policemen, as soon as the negro had
beer discovered, but coming on him uncx-
pectedly, there was no time for that The re-
fusal of the several by-standers to assist in
the arrest was very cowardly and reprehen-
slbly. Had either of them come to the rescue,
there would have been no difficulty in the ar
rest.