The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-10-17
A STRANGE STORY.
Bucked ana Gagged From PIttsburg tu
New Orleans, ana Home Again Insane.

BuCked ana Gagged From Ptttsburg tG
| New orleans, ana Home Again Insane.
| Willis M. Hatch, Of New Wilmington, Penn,
according to his statement, is the victim Of a
most daring and disbolioal outrage, at the hands
of abeautiful woman and three ruffisns, but, al.
though his story reads we'll, IS regards actual
fact, 30 far as pertains to his adventures In this
city. ii will not hold water.
Hatch, q young man OF exemplary habits, and
| the Prohibition candidate for Lawrence county,
Penn, with sl700 In his possession, on the 14th
day of September left the Young Mems Home in
PittsburE, with the expressed purpose of buying
| farm. From that time until the 4th OF October,
Hatchs movements we're unknown, despite the
search of the deseoseotiyes throughout the
States who worked with that zeal and energy
| only inspired by the offer Of q liberal reward.
Oa October 4th q letter reached Hatohs r. Ia.
tives, informing them that Hatch was at o point
eighteen miles west Of aslesburg, Illinois, where
he was sought and found, but in q terrible CON-
dition.
HIS MOUTH WAS LAscERATED
by the gag used to stife bis cries. his body bore
the marks OF most violent treatment, but worse
than all, his mind was unhinged, and instead of
the intelligent young man he was wont TO be,
helpless, semi demented creature was all that re.
mained. HIS account Of hims elf is to the effect
that as he was on Duquesne way lin Pittsburg)
lady met him, and, stating that she was lost,
was young and beautiful, in pity for her trouble
30 beseechingly expressed, he assured her he
would see her safely to her destination, and to-
gether they started. Near the corner of Liberty
street he was suddenly assailed and robbed by
three men, who bound him with thongs.
SINKING DEEP INTO HIS FLESH,
and gagged him almost to sutfocation. In that
condition he was hurried to the Union depot and
placed in the cars. After that he could not COL
lect his faculties. He has vague recollection of
travelling on the cars, then broad expanse of
water, then dreary blank, until awoke by the
broad glare OF Southern sun to find himself on
the levee In charge OF policeman, who took him
to the Hospital Shortly after his arrival at that
institution a boy brought him his watch and
some papers. While he lay there q man named
Reed Called and saying he was friend OF the
family, made arrangements to forward Hatch to
st. Louis. This was done as soon as Hatch was
REED MET HIM
and took him to within eighteen miles OF Gales
burg, where he left him in charge of some
friends.
The other side OF the story, the result OF an
by Detectivs Peeora, goes to show, |
firstly, that no such name as Reed is borne on |
The hospital books; secondly, no man answering |
his description was patient there; thirdly, no
watch and papers were not delivered to the hog
pital clerk for any Of the inmates, and fourthly,
no DIR. Sisson was ever attached to that
Institution, or is there doctor OF that name in
inc city. Lastly, the only unknown man picked
Up by the police on the levee during the month
'f September and up to date in October, was
aborer i'll with fever. who was found at the head
u Montegut street, on the I'd INST, by Officer
Hurley, and who is now in the hospital
Until Hatch tells more connected and plsusi-
lie story his whereabouts during his absence
will remain mystery.