Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-02-10

And There it was; the four fingers
might cntreat IS much rs they could, it
would not help them. Ever since this
time, many little children wear mittens !:
but when they grow tall, and become
good then they can wear gloves.
PURSUED TO THE DEATH.
In the year 1912, the western portions
Of Pennsylvania, embracing the mountain.
Gus regions between Chambersburg and
Pittsburg, presented little more than an
unbroken wilderness, through which the
great road from Philadelphia to the head.
waters of the Ohio valley passed and At
that period it was lonely and dangerous
pathway to all wayfarers between the
Eastern cities and the great Western
wilderness of Ohio and Kentucky.
About midway Of this road, and in a
dismal locality, was located an inn, kept
by an honest well.to-do German named
Stottlers. The house was . small one.
but the accommodations were ample suffi.
cient for the travel that came that wav.
In the spring of the year mentioned there
came from the stock. raising region around
Pittsburg drover, who, with his flock of
well.fattened bullocks, was on his way to
Philadelphia. He was we'll armed. and
mounted on horse of spotless whiteness.
In conversation with the inmates of
Strottlcrs' inn-the most of whom were
ordinary hunters--hc stated with reserve
the objects of his trip, and communicated
the fact that on bis return he would stop
at the tavern with the proceeds from the
sale of his cattle in his possession.
On the day following his arrival the
stranger departed for tho East. About
three weeks thereafter, or ut the time he
was expected to return, two Canadian
Frenchmen, of villainous appearance and
both heavily armed, arrived at Strott.
lers', and, after breakfasting, continued
their journey eastward. In less than an
hour they returned. accompanied by .
third traveller, who was mounted on a
white horse that closely resented that
ridden by the Pittsburg drover. This
third party, in the course Of his CONVERSE
ton with the landlord, stated that his
name was Pollock, that he lived near the
residence Of General Arthur St. Clair, in
Westmoreland county, and that he was
on his way to rejoin his wife and his chill.
dren, from whom he had been separated
for some weeks. He stated also that he
was a farmer. but possessed of small
means. The contents of his purse we're,
however small they might be. at the dis
posal in equal shares with destitute trav-
elers, such as those whose company he
was in, and whose expenses to Pittsburg
he expected to pay.
After partAking Of some refreshments,
the three men then took the road west.
ward. In less than IN hour Stott.
Ter and his brother.in.law, John Lam.
bert, blacksmith by trade, and thorough
frontiersman, were startled while in con.
versation Oh the porch outside the inn.
to SEQ Pollock's riderless horse approach.
ing them at q gallop. As the animal
neared them they saw that he WAS he.
spattered with blood, and Lambert, who
had just been communicating his suspi.
cions Of the French,nen, insisted that the
farmer had been murdered. and urged an
immediate pursuit Of his companions
The servants about the inn were at
once mounted and sent out to scour the
country for assistance, while Lambert
and his less energetic relative busied
themselves in preparing their horses and
arms for the chase. BY MONDAY about .
dozen Of men residing nearest the inn,
congregated at the general rendezvous,
and, with Lambert for leader, were soon
in pursuit Of the murderers. After !
journey Of about one mile, the party
came to the scene Of the murder. Here
they discovered the evidence of terrible
struggle. The snow which lay upon the
ground was much trampled and greatly
discolored with blood, and q few feet
away from this scene lay the corpse Of
the murdered man, wedged in between
two logs, and covered with the rubbish
Of leaves and broken twigs. Two balls
had passed through the body. and in the
breast were several gaping wounds that
had evidently been inflicted with large
hunting.knife. One Of the hands of the
deceased was terribly dis6gured. IS he
had evidently grasped the knife, which,
being drawn through his fingers, nearly
cut them in twain. His clothing was
badly torn, while his countenance indi.
Gated the intense agony of his dying mo.
ments.
1t appeared. from the foot tracks in
the snow leading to the west, that the
murdcrers had set their horses free or
been compelled to part with them, and
this seemed wise prccaution on their
part, as the mountainous condition Of
the country ahead Of them rendered
travel by foot, to those accustomed to
such exertion, far more expeditions than
by horseback. Lambert and his com.
panions knowing this to be the case, de.
terminded to follow their prey on foot
also. Accordingly the major part of the
party at once continued on tho trail,
while three or four of the men removed
the body and the horses to Stottler' &
inn. Shortly after night had fallen,
Lambert's associates became dissatisfied
with their errand. and in body returned
to the inn.
The intrepid blacksmith notwithstand.
ing this demoralizing detection, contin.
ued the pursuit alone. After travelling
in northwestern direction for twelve OF
fourteen miles. he came to IN old and
disuscd road, running nearly parallel
with the one he had left. This was called
tho "Old Pennsylvania Trace" between
Philadelphia and Red Stone Old Fort,
situated on the waters Of the Mononga.
hela river. It was the first road ever
opened between Eastern Pennsylvania
and the head.waters of the Ohio river;
and the ancient landmarks, ''thrce chops
and blaze" were still visible by day.
light on the old trees. This ancient road
and land marks were adopted by. the sur.
veyors and openers Of roads in the West
to propitiate Heaven in favor of the first
settlers Of the great western wilderness;
and hen e the first chop was for the
Father, the second for tho Son, and the
third for the Holy Ghost; and the blaze
was merely designated to attract the eye
Of the observer.
| When Lambert struck this old road,
he discovered on the north side of it di.
lapidated log.cabin. Approaching The
cabin, he noticed light within, and,
feeling satisfied that the murderers were
close at hand, he gave loud cough.
This brought to the rear door of III.
house the old woman who occupied It,
and who obtained living by selling
cakes aad beer to passing wayfarers