The sun., 1881-01-16
THE BuzsARD BROTHERS.
Leaders Of the Welsh Mountain Gans-vnd
Harry Birt and his Adventures.


Harry Birt and his Adventurcs.
CHURCHTowN, Pa, Jan. 12--Mart Buszard,
Abe Buzzard Joe Buzsard Ike Buzzard. and
Jake Bugzard are Hve brothers whose names
are now before the public In tho role OF leaders
OF the Welsh Mountain gang OF plunderers.
Two OF them. Abraham and Joseph. are in the
Lancaster Jail, and their hearings will take
place on the 10Th Of the present month. The
remaining three are at large. Two Of the al
legged members OF the gang. Diller Clarke and
Henry Howes. who were arrested with the two
Buzznrds. are also In jail. Seven OF tho band
are now serving timo in Jail. and three are in
tho Eastern Penitentlary in Philadelphia. The
five Buzzard brothers have all served out differ
ent sentences in prison during tho last five
years. Joseph and Isaac lnbored eighteen
months in the Lancaster juil for horse stealing;
Jacob was in the same prison five years for bur-
glary; Abraham was sentenced to four years
for burglary. escaped and was recaptured:
Martin has also made n similar record. and his
torms have numbered more than one. In Feb
ruary OF last year the ilvo were in the Lancaster
Jail together. serving out their sentences. but
during 1880 their various terms expired and
they were released. They at once repaired
to thoir old haunts. the Welsh Mountains.
strip of wild and barren backwoods country
and forest lying along the borders Of Berks.
q rocky and scrub oak stretch of barrens is the
Welsh Mountain, with its pavos of limestone
rock cavorns. and dreary. yet safe and secure
hiding places. whore officers OF the law never
visit Prlor to thor departure for their old huunts
they made many vows and promises that they
would never again take to the roud" for iv-
ing. and they pointed to tho fact thnt notwith-
Standing their absence from their hunting
grounds. the roOberics. burglarcs, and high
handed outrNgrs had continued the same us
ever, Old Martin said to the Sheriff:
\
weren't thar! Now. If these stealings 20 on
when we're down thar, don't bnme II on 70 usW
when his brothers and himself had been cap
turcd and convicted u young and handsome
stricken gang of thieves. His true name was
Henry Brit although he had many aliases. He
n5 Hn5 bG ana neepn Pa stnlaM Snlnw Smn Always n
market after tho gang had captured, aud do
ltvered 1t in a neighboring county When the
scattered and GIsheartened. Birt's occupation
was gone. He therefore came TO his, own
wids OF that forest and mountain country, and
rallied the men once more They left their
Brit u" soon n' became nm Know Known as as Wild Harry y;
Of tho Welsh Mountain; As an innocent look
day On Off evenings he courted the farmers
pretty daughters. His hair was long, black and
| wavy; hts eyes dark his complexion olive. He
had black mopstaGhe. very pretty teeth. and
| was well formed. He was not an cducated man.
nui MS conversation Mas, MAS entsriainlnG and his
| The girls liked his brusuue. careless manner.
and. after he had won his way into their affec-
tions, no took good caro- to take sum cicnt points
! to enable him TO work his way into the house Il
| few evenings. afterward on mission OF plum
the % Of moaer" De Y5sn buys
| Ho could write fairly. and many OF his love
letters found their way into the homes OF the
| richest farmers in that section OF country. So
| far us is known. his conduct to the young
women was perfectly honorable. When he was
sweethearts heard of it. they rot only do
nounced the officers and pronounced tho
sIharEcs untrue put earnestly enireated + their
captured, with q load Of plnnder and committed
to the Jail AZ Reading. His red necktie. velvet
| nrison stripes, and he served long term. aftor
| which he went to Mexico.
The Buz2ard boys. after their liberation. found
! the gang nearly broken up and very poor. 1t
! was some time before they were again muster
| ed ana organized. Martin Bunard went 10 his
| hut on the mountain AZ what is called "Buz-
| yards RoOsl" and commenced making baskets.
| lie was determined 10 reform and quit the road.
| gone on. Nearly every night the bold band has
! heen abroad churches. stores, stations, Offices.
stables. aud smoke houses. have been broken
| open and burned. Vigilance committees. horse
| thiet detective associations. and other COM
! panies for the prevention OF crime and for the
! assistance OF the constabulary have been or
| Rani2ed. bit the burSlaries go on. Many farm
cnIions lost their barns may be- iired. Indeed.
| many notices. something similar 10 the Molly
| Mcguire" warnings. have been sent. cautioning
| farmers to beware how they volunteered to give
| evidence against certain parties under arrest
Tic Bu2aarl brothers nre middle-sizei
| broaG-shouldered men ranging from 27 years
! Of ago to 40. lsanc is the youngest and Mart
| the o!dee'. They have red complexions and
| brown hair. gray eyes and heavy shaggy eye
: prows. Their boots nre OF coarse hide and
| their corduroy pantaoons are stuck in the
| tops. Generally thUy wear short, heavy pea
| Jackets which enable them 10 ride moro freely.
| Three are married and have several children
| each. all living in small cabins. The BuZzards
| are desperate mon. and Tor q long time it was
| considered certain death TO attempt TO arrest
| them in their homes.
some of the band live in Lousetown," q
small mountain village near the home OF the
BuZllrds. the arrest OF the two brothers is to be
followed up, ana IL Is expected that the entire
| quintet will soon bs brought in. Some say
| that Martin is aiding tho officers while others
| deny il. Martin has written q letter for publi-
| cation in which he declares his Innocence, says
| that ne has reformed entirely, and thanks God
| that he has luckily escaped from the galoys.