Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-10-16
ESCAPED ROBBERS
Skulking in the Mountains of Penn
syIyania.
The Authorities Of Staid Old Dunkard VII
lage Preparing TO Send Out an
Armed Bard for Their
Overthrow.

EUPHRATA, PA October lj.-The greatest
interest centres in the hills about this old
Dunkard town. At least nine desperate
conviCts are hiding in these mountains.
The desperadoes are heavily armed, and are
under the leadership Of Abe Buzzird, n
noted Welsh Mountain outlaw who has
served many years in Jail.
The story Of the escape OF Iwalve Crimi.
mails from the Lancaster jail has been
briefly told by telegraph. Daring the alb.
sence Of the leading Jail officials, one OF the
prisoners asked an Underkeeper 10 take q
bird cage to the cell opposite, occupied by
Ike Buzzard The uihCial did So leaving
the ce1l door unlocked. As he handed in
the cage, the prisoner from the other cell
SieaIthtIy Drew Up behind Him.
pushed him in, seized the keys, slammed
the door and locked him in.
Five minutes later twelve desperate
criminals were let out Of their cells into
the corridors. Frank ford the famous jail
breaker, al once took charge OF the gang,
with 4 be Bu2zard as second in Command.
The telephone wires were cut. pistols and
knives secured, citizens clothing stolen
from the keeperss apartments, ani prepa-
ra tons made 10 leave. A heavy table was
broken, and the legs secured to us" ~
clubs Then they opened the cell door
containing the keeper, and at the
MuzzIe Of Ehree Pistols
liberated the prisoner therein, and again
locked the cell. other prisoners were
threatened win death If they made an
alarm. 4 few short term prisoners re-
fused to leave. \ brother Of Abe Buzzard,
Hao had but u short time TO stay, refused
ha An hanHq thpn
went into the Jail yard where they nearly
btat bloodhound To death with the table
ees. There they completed their preDara-
tlons, unlocked the gate, and departed.
One.eypd Joe Fraukford was the last 10
leave. lie carefully locked all the door,
front and back. and was exceeding cool.
All this happened in the early evening.
TIE plot Was
ExcsediogIy Well Piasred.
TIE same night after they escaped they
broke into a clothing store near here and
procured necessary clothing 10 take the
place OF the prison stripes.
Abe BuzZard /, about IS wears OF age, and
is the eldest Of six brothers who for q
number OF years have been terror 10
farmers, postmasters, and merchants for
miles around. He il the leader Of the cell
ebrated Welsh Mountain gang, a desperate
bnnd of thieves. His hut is on the Ephrats
Mountain, where his wife and little ones
reside. In form and appearance he resem-
bies Jesse James and while not known TO
be gully OF murder, he is In every way a.
brave and
Daring n. the Missouri OHtIaw.
Buzzlrd has broken Jail several times A
few months ago ho was recsptured, having
been allured into a brickyard 10 play a
midnight game OF pokei by the light OF
rallow dip. Buzzard IS fond OF cards.
Before being taken 10 Jail he svOre venge-
ance against the local Constable, and since
Buzzard's last escape that otlioial bss de
parted for parts unknown.
The escaped gang are Frsnkford, the real
leader, who was serving a prn ol nineteen
years for horse stealing: Abe BuZzsrd, a
term OF thirteen years for burglary Joe
Croft, five years for burglary; George
Brimmer, alias lid tse incendisry,
who is
Serving the Longest Term
in the United States, sixteen years; John
Wertz, another incendiary, ten years Nor
rIs Bricker, I've years Who escaped lev
wears sgo and vas reca psured Ike BDZZaTd,
ten years for burglary; John Clifford I'VE
years for burglary: Wn. Clark, Ed. Beck,
George Watkins and Alec Lemsnn, for
burglary.
ILese desperate men, or the mst OF
u .eJn, are known 70 be secretsd away
nong the businesses OF the hills abo1t
Ipre. and they are known 70 be eager to
give the officials hot battle for freedom II
rcce,sary. Frankford may have switched
4 Of for Philadelphia, and II Is known that
l Abe Bnzzsrd is IN
Command Of the Gang New.
The sherif's posse Is considered too
weak to cope with the fugitiyes. and as no
L.. ,g,I. ft
there 10 a hesitsncy among the local con-
sisbulsry 10 venture into the hills. How
ever, 6ght is likely TO occur, as the
Warden seems determined 10 leave nothing
undone tO rscapture the outlaws.
Il 10 probable BuIZard will organize q
robber band this winter, and farmers srs
b. ginning TO feel very uneasy. II Is said
that he fitted up ssd rudely furnished
cave last summer. dHring his freedom, and
that this cave .Ei!l be Inhabited by at lsAs
ten Of the gang.