The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-12-08
BrUUe Blacksmith Lambert.


In the year 1912 the western portions of
Pennsy lvania, embracing the mountainous
regions between Chambersburg and Pitts
burg, presented little more than an un-
broken wilderness, through which the great
road from Philadelphia passed and at that
period it was a highway between the East
ern cities and the great Western WILDERNESS
of Ohio and Kentucky.
About midway of this road, and in
most dismal locality, vas located an inn,
kept 10y an honest, well-to-do German,
named Stottlers. The house was a small
one, but the accommodations were amply
sufficient for the travel that came that way.
In the spring of the year mentioned, then
came from the stock-raislng region, around
PIttsburg, a droYer, who, with his flock OF
well-fattcned bullocks, was on his way to
Philadelphia. He was well armed, and
mounted on a horse of spotlesS whitenesS.
In conversation with the inmates of Stot-
tiers inu--the most of whom were ordinary
hunters-he stated without reserve the Oh
.iCctS of his trip, aud communicated the
fact that on his return he would stop at the
tavern with the proceeds from the sale of
his cattle i'll his possession.
On the day following his arrival, the
stranger departed. About three weeks
thereafter, or at tue time lie was expected
to return, two Canadian Freuchnen, of
yiilainOus appearance, and both heavily
armed, arrived at StuttleTs, and, after
breakfasting, continued their journey east
ward. In less than an hour they returned,
accompanied by third traveller, who was
mounted on a white horse that closely Te-
seubled that ridden 10y the PlttsOurC
drovcr. The third party, in the course of
his conversation with the Landlord, stated
that bis name was Pollock, that he lived
near the residence of General Arthur St.
Il
he on lis way to rtjpiu his wife aud
children, from whom he had been separated
for some weeks. He stated also that he
was a farmer, but possessed of small meaiis.
The contents OF his purse were, however
small they might Ge, at the disposal, III
equal shares, with destitute Travellers such
as those whose company he was i'll, and
whose expenses to PIttsUuIg he expected
to pay.
After partaking of some refreshments
the three men then took the road west
ward. In less than All hour John Stottler
aud his brother-in-law, John Lambert,
n blacksmith by trade and IL thorough
frontIersman, were Startled while III cou-
versation. on the porch outside the inn TO
see Puilock's ridelless horses approaching
them on gallop. As the animal ncared
them they saw that he was besnatted with
blood, and Lambert, who had just been COM
men; insisted that the farmer had been
murdered, and urged an immediate pursuit
of his companions.
The servants about the inn were at once
mounted aud seat out TO scour the country
for assistance, while Lambert aud his less
energetic relative busted themselves III pre-
pairing their horses and arms for lie chase
BY MONDAY about a dozen men, residing
nearest the inn, ccngregated at the general
were soon i'll pursuit of the murdeiers.
After a journey of about one nile the party
came 10 tie scene of the murder. Here
they discovered the evidences of a terrible
struggle. The SNOW which lay upon the
ground was much trampled aud greatly
discolorcG with blood, and a few feet away
from tb is scene lay tile corpse of the muir
dered man, wedged IL between two logs,
and covered with the rubbish Of leaves
and broken twigs. Two balls had passed
through the body, and i'll the breast were
several gaping wounds that had evidently
been inliIcted with large bunting knife.
One of the hands of the deceased was
terribly disfigured, as he had evidently
grasped the blade of the knife, which, be-
I ing drawn through his fingers, nearly cut
them in twain. His clothing Was badly
torn, while his countenance indicated the
intense agony of his dying moments.
1t appeared from the foot tracks In the
snow leading to the west that the murderers
had set their horses free or been compelled
10 paIt with .hem, and this seemed a wise
precaution on their part as the mountain
Gus condition of the country ahead OF them
rendered travel by foot, to those accustomed
to such exertion, far more expeditions than
by horseback. Lambert aud his compau
ions, knowing this to be the case, determined
/ to follow their prey on foot also. Accui d
ingly the major part of the party at once
continued on the trail, while three on fou
of the men removed the body and horses t.
Stot.lers' inn. Shortly after night ha'
fallen, Lambert's associates became dis
satisfied with their er1and, and in n bod,
returned to the inn.
The intrepid blacksmith notwithstand
/ ing the demoraliZing detection. continued
J the pursuit ;,lone. After travelling in
nnlI L. we - ..rI. directinn- fnr twelve fnnr