Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-02-24
How Thieves Served a Pennsylvania
Farmer.

A farmer, named Erb, over near Harris
burg, recently got himself into pretty
pickle. Coming from church one Sun
day night he heard thieves among his
poultry. When the thieves saw him they
ran away with their plumber seeking shell
ter among some bushes Mr.. Erb, with
his dog, pursued them, but a couple of
shots from the thieves caused the dog to
retreat. A local paper thus relates the
rest Of the story: .H'
MIR. Erb would gladly have followed
his dog, but pistol was presented 10 his
breast with the admonition that his life
depended on his silence and submission.
His money and watch were demanded and
reluctantly given. Mr.. Erb now expect
ed to be let go, but not SO. The scoun-
drels discussed the propriety, and cons
cluded that they would take his clothing
Mr.. Erb was compelled TO take Oft his
overcoat, coat, pants-in short he was
stripped to his shirt and drawers. Even
his hat and boots were taken. In order TO
prevent Mr.. Il. giving the alarm too soon
they gagged him by passing his suspend
ers through his mouth and buckling them
back of his head. His hands were tied
on his back. He was then allowed to go
home. The thieves also took their leave,
going toward Harrisburg. The feelings
of Mr. Erb can be easier imagined than
described, as he walked home through the
keen air. But his troubles were not yet
over; for at his gate he met his dog,
which had so cowardly desc tied him and
though afraid of three black men with
pistol, he now gave inmistakable signs
that he was not airaio of one white man
with his arms I lloned. Failing to recog-
4, ;a h..L hat yiFsfr nd
ping through the pales at his legs. Mrs. Erb
being aroused by the noise, looked out OF the
window, and seeing his white figure dane
ing in the moonlight, thought it was a
ghost, called her faiher-Mr. Henry o.
Boozer, who was staying with her at the
time-who came armed with shot gun
and opening the door he called off the
dog. He then desired TO know the mis-
sion of one in so strange an attire, Never
was ran more willing to speak, or more
unable than Mr. Samuel Erb. So the only
reply was a few mods of the head, accom-.
panied by rs many jumps with the feet.
Mr.. Boozer then brought his weapon TO
his shoulder and taking aim at the sup
posed ghost, demanded Il to speak imme.
diately or leave the premises. With this
he coupled the promise that a failure 10
comply would cause him 10 fire., Dir.
Erb was now In great dilemma. Speak
he could not If he stayed he would be
shot, and IL he went away he would freeze.
In fact he was nearly frozen already. lie
turned to go, and as he did so his wife saw
his arms were tied TO his back. Telling
her father this, that gentleman called to
him TO come back |; but kept the gun
pointed, saying as long as there was no
evidence of hostility, there need be no
fear. Mr.. Erb tremblingly obeyed, and
on drawing near was recognized and taken
In and cared for. Ii was some time. he.
fore Mr.. Erb could give an account Of
what he suffered during the last hour. He
says the robbers were white men In dis
guise, and thinks there is no possibility Of
detecting them. ~ Pottsuitie lPa) Miners
Journal.