Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-02-17
THE HAND OF FATE.

Frenchmau, about 35 years OF age, CIV
ing the name of Isaac Richie, came to
Augusta county and purchased some
land in retired cove in the Blue Ridge
mountains, not far from Wayaesboro,
and on it built a neat cottage He was
a man of many accomplishments and
spoke several languages, but was very
reserved and made few aequaintances-
Among those few was the Rev. Jacob
Hildebrand, to whose care he bad his
letters directed. They were all foreign
letters, and chiefly from France. He
was gentlemanly in his manner, and
gained the good will of the few persons
he knew.
On Tuesday evening last stranger
got off the train and asked for the Bruce
House, in Wayresboro, and then asked
where the Rev. Mr.. Hildebrand lived.
Being told that it was FIVE miles out of
town he got horse, and the same eve
ming rode out there-He stated TO MIR.
II. that he was farmer looking for
farm, and talked about who lived on the
farms around. Richie being mentioned,
he said he knew him and manifested a
wish for Mr.. II. to ride there that eve
ming, but that gentleman declined, say
ing he would 60 the next morning. The
stranger, who afterwards proved to be
a New York detective named New
comb, returned to Waynesboro. That
night he secured the services of Billy
Shepherd, the barber, and next NOR
ming drove with him in spring wagon
to Mr.. HIS, who accompanied him to
Riches, who was found at home and
alone. The stranger presented Riche a
letter which he recognized as from his
brother, whereupon the detective drew
revolver and pronounced him his prls-
oner, much to the astonishment of MIR.
Hildebrand and the colored driver.
Richie was thunderstruck and sunk to
the ground, offering no resistance. His
captor placed him in the wagon and
drove to Waynesboro, where he ironed
him, aud putting him IN freight car,
started East with him before the
Waynesboro authorities knew anything
of it. During the drive to the town
the prisoner spoke but once after leav-
ing his cottage, and that was remark
as to the right road. He spent his time
making memoranda in note book.
The accused was formerly school
teacher in France, from whence be fled
to escape q prosecution for rape COM
mitted on one of his pupils. The de-
tective said be had travelled all over the
United States in hunting him. He was
finally discovered by letters put in the
French postoffice by his brother, who
was watched. The last and fatal one
when it arrived at the New York post
Office was given to Newcomb by the U.
S. Marshall, and he finding it directed
to the care of "Rev. ]. Hildebrand,
Waynesboro, Augusta county, Va"
brought it to its destination, and it was
this that he handed Richie. He also had
the photograph of the accused, received
from the French police. The detective
said he expected large reward. The
penalty of Riches crime is the guillo-
tine.-St St0unfon Hindicator.
A case coming within the eItradition
treaty existing between the republic OF
France and the United States came up
yesterday before Commissioner White.
Isaac Rich, Frenchman, was arrested
by Deputy Marshall Newcomb on affi-
davits presented by the French Consul
General at this port, charging Richie
with the commission of very serious
offence under the French laws. The pa
pers in the case show that the accused
was a teacher in government institu-
tion for learning in the village of Erlen-
court, in France, which was attended
by the children of the villagers; that
Rich, during the years of 1885, had
committed outrages on several OF the
youthful pupils, and that the specific
charge against him, and on which the
papers for his arrest here and extradi-
ton are based, was for the violation of
Anna Altman, girl between twelve and
thirteen years old. 1t is also stated that
the knowledge of a similar outrage
coming to the ears of the mother Of
one of his victims she died from the
shock. Rich Immediately fled to this
country, making his way to the State of
Virginia, where he purchased 164 acres
of wild land at Waynesboro, on cred
it of 1900. Here he remained isolated,
and probaly secure from the reach of
justice, had he continued to reside in
the forest shanty he had erected for
himself; but in an evil hour he came to
Newark, n. j., and resumed his old oc-
cupation of schoolmaster. Here the
sleeple,. eye of justice got squint of
him, and he decamped, seeking again
his Virginia home. But the eye of JUS
tice unerringly pursued, and his coun-
trynan Dubert was on his track, traced
him 10 his lair, arrested him and brought
him here. Rich is about 36 years OF
age, reticent as to the charge or any of
the circumstances duplicating him, but
halt admits that he will return to France
without putting the French authorities
to any trouble in proving case under
our laws justifying his extradition.
Pending further examination into the
case Rich lies in cell at Ludlow-street
iail - Nsr York HeynId