The New York herald., 1876-07-12
ADVENTURES OF THREE TRAMPs
AN OLD FARMER AND HIS WIFE GAGGED AND
I'LL TREArED-TwENTy TUBS or BUTTER
AND HORSE AND WAGON sToLES-REcov-
ERR OF THE PROPERTY.

AND HORSE AND WAGON sToLES-REcov-
RRY OF THE PROPERTY
PoRr HcKsox Pa, July H. 1875
Jared Wells aud his wife, old people, live farm
three miles from this place, the road. Their
son, John Wells, lives mile further On Friday
three men, decentiy dressed. stopped at the farm and
asked for something TO eat Mrs Wells gave them
good dinner. The good takers and as
they ate obtained from the old lady the nor-
that she aud her husband lived alone that lhey
made and shipped quite Of butter from their
farm and that there then forty tubs tho cellar
10 be sent away next day The men went on their way
after finishing their meal About ten O'Clock at night
old Mr.. Wells was awakened by loud. knock at the
front door He got up and asked, 'swho is there's
Some one replied, "John." The old farmer,
supposing it his son, who
his way home from tho village, opened
the door Three men instantly rushed into the room,
and he was knocked down, bound and gagged before
he could say word. Mrs. Wells was also secured In
tho same manner The men then rnnsacked the house.
from garrett TO cellar. From tue latter place Mr.. and
Mrs. Wells could hear them ing tubs OF butter up
the steps outside. When they had secured what plum
der they could the men shut and locked the
door ora Of the Inc house ssnss na e Hno sr saying
afterward wagon drove up TO the door Into this the
farmer and his wife could hear them loading the but
ter and in lew minutes II rumbled OF down the ROAD.
About ten O'Clock morning John Wells, the son,
drove up the old peoples house TO load up the butter
that ready Tor Shipment. He was compelled TO
burst in the door get in the house. he found
his father and mother lying on the floor AS
they had been lett by the thieves He re-
they III from their long suffering THAI It
some time before they could Offer any explanation of
their condition II was then discovered that the
thieves had secured s75 in money, and had taken
twenty tubs OF butter They had driven away
with these In q onc-horsc wagon. While these
discoveries being made Walter jackson,
farmer. living milo and half back
in the hills drove up and said that his
barn had been entered the night before and robbed OF
valuable young horse, together with harness and
light spring wagon. 1t was plain that the horse
thieves The same that had committed the robbery
at Wells. Parties were sent as soon possible TO
look for traces OF the thieves In all dircc-
tons. John Wells and Jackson came to this
bic Burns About noon they got track
Of the men in the road leading from the mine ro,d to
Alllersve. They were followed TO that place, hvc
miles distant and almost the first otjcci seen
tering the village Jacksons horse and wagon
standing front Of weIlngs tavern. The butter had
been removed from the wugon The constable
entered the tavern, where he learned from the
landlord that the horse and wagon had been left
tied IN front OF The house early in the forenoon by
three men, who entered the barroon took drink and
walked out, since which time they had not put
appearances They were strangers, but their move.
ments had created no suspicion Soon aiterward
Wells learned that groceryman named Crozicr
h1d 'nas morning PSrsaasea ov.a numSer % OF
Crozer said that had driven up to his store
about eight O'Clock IA the morning with the butter.
He said he lived back of the mine road, and tina: he
had made trade with Old Mr. Wells Of some farm i'm
plements for the butter Ho wanted to sell it.
and Crozer bought the lot, paying the s,ran-
ger who gave his name as Williams, nearly
$500 in cash. Crozer had also agreed to
return the tubs as soon as empty to
Mr. Wells He had not the slightest Suspicion that
the butter had been stolen, the mans manner
assuring and his statements crcumstantial. The
parties had evidently been smart enough 10 offer
the horse and wagon for sale anywhere No trace Of
them has been found since they lef the tavern They
we're doubt the ,hrco tramps who stopped ut tho
farmers on Saturday.