The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-14
Run Down at Last.
THE AUTHOR OF A GREAT GOLD ROBBERY CAP
TURED IN AUSTRALIA.
Novel

[Austrahau News.l
The robbery OF 5000 sovereigns from the
mail steamer Avoca will long be- remember
| ed as one Of the most sensational thefts per-
petratcd i'll this part OF the world. because
| OF the succession of strange incidents which
followed the robbery, which was committed
| on the 29th OF August, 1877. 1t was not
known how the sovereigns had been stolen,
or whether the robbery had been committed
on board OF the AVoca between sydney ana
Melbourne or on board the China between
Melbourne and Ceylon. For some time the
circumstances surrounding therobbcry were
ensbrouded in mystery, which was even
tualiy overcome by Detective Mackcy. who
obtained information which led him TO be-
| lieye that Martin Wiberg, who had been en-
Gagged in the Avocl As ships carpenter, but
| had subsequently, been discharged, was the
cu!prt. Acting on that information, De-
tcctve Nackey, with Inspector Secretan,
proceeded TO the Tarwin river, where Wi
berg had taken up selection, and arrested
him. In his hut they found quantity OF
the stolen sovereiSnS. and the prisoner was
then brought to Melbourne. Soon alter his
arrest he made statement, in which he as
| serted that he and ElIi>ton, the chief mate
the Avoca, bad effected the robbery and
shared the plunder. Believing that his
story was true, Detective Mackey proceeded
TO England to arrest EIlSton. lie succeeded
in the Object OF his visit; but EliSton was
discharged because Of the want OF evidence
TO warrant his being sent 10 Victoria, and
Mackev had to return to Victoria without
him. In the mean time Wibcrg, protesting
to make 4 clean breast OF the whole affair,
proiessed his ability to point out where
more Of the stolen property had been
sccretcd in the TarWiu river. Inspector
Secrean believed his story, and took the
prisoner to the Tarwin river, be being ac-
companicd by Detectives Duncan and Ma
honey. The story OF Wibers'S escape While
searching for hidden sovereiGns is well
known, and since that time no positive in
teIligence concerning him had been made
public, although, as 4 matter OF fact, the
detectives knew something concerning his
movements and were aware that he had not
succeeded in leaving the colony. 1t was
not, however, until about six weeks ago
that that opinion was formed, and it was
the action Of Wibcrg'S agent in Melbourne
which first caused the surmiSe. The recap
ture was effected near the Eagles Nest,
| Cape Patterson, on the 10Th OF May. by
Detective Edeston and Mounted Constable
| Tavlor. These officers were sent to that
part of the country about month ago,
and after searching for a fortnight their
vigilance was rewarded. On THURSDAY the
18th OF May they discovered footprints in
the sand of the seashore near Andcrson's
inlet, and these footprints led them to form
the opinion that the person who had left
the marks behind had swum across the in
let towards Cape Patterson. Suspecting
that they were on Wibcrg's track. they on
the following day went to the other side OF
the inlet, and while searching for further
tracks they first heard and then observed 4
man walking through the scrub. lmmedl-
ately they sought concealment, and on
walked Wlberg-forit it WAS hc-not suspect
| ing danger; but when within about hfty
wards OF the ambush he evidently caught
sight OF the stopping form OF Taylor, and,
somewhat to the dismay OF the police, he
turned and fled along the seashore. Edcl-
| ston aud Taylor seeing that 1t once
gave chase, and Wiberg gave them taste
of his abilities as pedestrian. He
sprang down cliff about fourteen
feet aud made for the water, and bis
pursuerS, thinking he Intended to seek
safety by swimming out to sea, be being, re-
putedly, IN expert swimmer, fired three
shots at him. The discharge OF the fire.
arms, followed by the whistling OF the bull
let's, had the desired effect, and Wiberg,
throwing up his arms, called out, 81 give
up.'' He was not in the least dsmayed bv
his arrest, and laughed and jested. But
during the whole time that he was in the
custody Of Edelson and Taylor he said not
one word which would tend to convict him
OF the robbery from the Avoca, or an adj
mission that he had falsely maligned his
chief mate, Mr.. Eliston. There was no
chance Of his escape, because wherever he
moved he knew that besides being hand
cuffed he was covered by loaded revolvers
of his captors. The Government have tele-
graphcd to Mr.. ElliSton, in England, and
offered to pav his expenses to come 10 the
colony and give evidence in the case.