Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-02-13
MIS- ScELLARE EouS.
The Hand Of Fate.

Some months ago genteel>looking French.
man, about 35 years Of age, giving tho name
oil Isaac Richie, came to Augusta county aud
purchased some land in q retired cove in tho
Blue Ridge Mountains, not far from Waynes-
bore and on it built neat cottage. lie was
man of many accomplishments and spoke
scveral languages, but was very reserved and
made few ucquaintances. Among those few
was tho Rev. Jacob Iildebraud, to whose
caro- lie had his letters directed. They were
ali foreign letters, and chiefly from France.
He was gcntlemanly in his manner. aud gain>
ed the good. will of the few persons he knew.
On Tuesday evening last stranger got of
the train and asked for tho Bruce House, in
Wnyncsboro' and then asked where the Rev.
Mr.. Hideband lived. Being told that 1t was
FIVE miles out Of town ho got a horse, and tho
same evening rode out there. lie stated to
Mr. II. that he was farmer looking for .
farm, and talked about who lived on tho
farms around. Richie being mentioned, he
said he knew him and manifested wish Tor
Mr. II. TO ride there that evening. but that
gentleman declined, saying he would 60 the
next morning The stranger, who afterwards
proved to be a New York detective named
Newconlb, returned TO Waynesboro. That
night he secured the services of Billy Shep-
herd. the barber. and next morning drove
with him in n spring wagon to Mr. HIS, who
accompanied him to Riches, who was found
ut homo and alone The stranger presented
Richie letter which he recognized as from
his brother, whereupon tho detective drew
revolver and pronounced. him his prisoner,
much to the astonishmcut of Mr. Hildebrand
and the colorcd driver.
Richie was thunderstruck and sunk'to tho
ground, offering no resistance. His captof
placed him in the wagon and drove to Waynes-
bOro, where he ironed him, and putting him
in freight car, started East with him before
the Waynesboro authorities knew anything OF
it During the drive 10 the town the prisoner
spoke but once after leaving his cottage, and
that was a remark as to the right road. He
spent his time making memoranda in note
book.
The accused was formerly school tenohs
er in France, from whence he aed to escape
a prosecution for rape committed on one of
his pupils. The detective said he had trsy-
eIed all over the United States in hunting
him. He was fuaily discovered by letters
put in the French postofice by his brother,
who was watched. The last and fatal ono
when it arrived at the New York postof6ee
was given to Newcomb by the u. 8. Marshal,
and he finding it directed to the care of Rev.
J. Bildebrsnd, Wsynesboro, Augusta county,
Va" brought it TO its destination, and il was
this that he handed Richie. He also had tho
photograph Of the accused, received from tns
French police. The detective said he eI-
pected largo reward. The penalty of Riches
crime is the guillotine.-!Sfdunton ViHdicdtor.
TURKEY OR NEwsFAPER.-Ay year ago last
Christmas { manufacturing company Of South
Bend, Ind, gave to each of their $50 work.
men, for the usual Christmas present, the
choice Of subscription to weekly newspaper
for 1876, instead of the traditional turkey
This season, desiring an expression of opinion
on the subject. they put it to vote whether il
should be turkey for Christmas or q news
paper for 1877, and with the exception OF
three, the whole force voted for the paper.
Tie Cumberland Neros says thst imper-
alive demand for more rapid transportation
on the Chesapeake and Ohio canal has won
derfulIy stimulated steam navigation thereon.
The steamers used during the last season have
made money notwithstanding the low rate Of
freight. During season OF eight months
the steam propeIlers can make forty two trips,
whereas boat with six mules and Eve hands
cannot make over tweuty>eight trips.
Tho Washington, Cincinnati and ST.
Louis r. r. Co., (narrow garge) has mort.
gagged 80 miles of its road, from Haryisonburg
to the West Virginia line, including its min
eraI lands, for 81 .275.000 and the bonds have
been placed with T. E. Hambleton & Co., Of
Baltimore.
The Hsgerstown Mail says that the COM
ing Spring will witness another exodus Of
Washington county formers, and many from
the adjoining counties of Pennsylvania and
West Virginia, for the West.
DIR J. c. Aver has been pronounced
hope!essly insane By number of physicians.