The New York herald., 1877-11-19
WAR ON THE TKAMPS.

FORMATION OF VIGILANCE COMMITTEES IN
NORTHERN PENNsYLvANIA-A SERIES or CON-
FLICrs WITH THE oUrLAws-CAPTURE AND
INCAnCER TIoN OF NUMBER.
ouAKERrowS, Pa, Nov. 1s, 1871
The brigaudish tramps and masked robbers have
pursued their Illicit avocation TO such an extent In
Northern Pennsylvania that tho people in the
munitfes that have been subjected to tho outlaws
rading incursions have risen against the IN
vading nomads, and several lively and sanguinary
skirmishes have occurred between the authorities.
citizens and marauders Tho last OF the conflicts
Cured noar Coopersburg q small town Just above
hore on tho line OF the North Pennsylvania Railroad
and in section OF country that has been infested by
wandering lawDreakcrs for several months past.
MOVING AGAINST OUTLAWS.
number OF stores having been broken into and
piundcred In Lenigh and Bucks COUNTESS the author
ties upon the complaint OF Levi Meschter. a
robbed on Friday night, determined to hunt
down and bring to justice the perpetrators OF what
has become extensive and systematic robbery. From
certain suspicious circumstances II WAS believed tho
house or Thomas Widriie, which is situated about
mile east OF Coopersburg, was tho rendezvous Ot tho
outlaws as we'll being the receptacle OF their plum
der Constable Ponti number OF visilants and citi-
zens visited tho place, and; alter slight resistance,
sand dollars worth of goods that have been stolen
from the merchants and citizens Of Lehgh anc Bucks
counties. The prisoners wore brought here and locked
up in room In Barrow's Hotel and strong guard
placed about the building 10 prevent any attempted
rescue
ANOTHER FIGHT.
Another visit was made 10 Widfrife's house early
last evening by the yigiants, and whom they were
within q short distance OF the premises party oil
men, who were ambushed in the woods, opened
hro upon them Tho vigitants made an o0-
slaught upon tncir assailants and succeeded IN
capturing two OF them the rest Of thcm managing 10
elude pursuit Tho two outlaws wero looked up with
tho others One OF these however informed Constable
Pont that another party OF robbers were sccrcted
an old limekiln, Eckhards mills, between three
and four miles from Coopersburg and that large guam
tity valuable booty also storad there. Acting
upon this hint the constable and the viyiants madc
raid upon the place designated about elcvon O'Clock
DEsPERArK CONFLICT
Between thirtyfve and forty desporadocs were con-
ceacd In and about tho mekiln, and these, upon tho
approach OF the vigants, opened heavy and rapid
fire upon hem Tho assaleu returned the hre oil their
assaiiants brskly about halt hour terrific
battle ragged which ended however N The rcpulso aud
capture o ten OF tho iawbreakerA Three OF them
severely wounded THO whole party was
brought here and imprisoned In the hotel
James Waters Of Constable Ponti's posse,
was slightly wounded during the afraj The most
desperate members OF the gang, who give their names
as Charles STEM Frank Mllcr Charles kciser, Franz
Schneider, Henry Price, Nicholas Burkley, George
Schmidt have been taken TO Doylestown and lodged
In the Bucks County JAN TO await trial before the De-
cember OF court AS the rest OF tho party, with
Thomas Widirifc tho keeper OF the robbers resort,
operated In Lehgh county and were captured within
It's boundaries they will be taken TO Allentown for
trial As 1t Is known other bands oil outlaws are
roaming about Lehigh and Bucks counties committing
and II expected that by tomorrow trey will bc cap