New-York tribune., 1885-02-01
THE LANDLORD-SHOOTERS.
ROBERT BUCHANAN's PERSONAL EAPEh-
FENCES

lodge. with large stretch OF somewhat barren
" "prouse-shooting at Mulrany. County Mayo.
wild and lonely place flanked by gloomy mountains
and looking southwark the is]and-studded waters
of Clew Bay. 1t was by no means my first visit 70
Ireand for had resided during the greater part Oh
several winters in the still more desOate region OF
Erris on those lonely shores which look out on INC
stays of Broadhaven. but hitherto had fouhu
eyerything peaceful enough and had learned 10
love and sympathize with kindly and much-eh'
dprinc tenantry. At Mulrany, however, it was
different. Though the great outrages wh1ch starcu
the world had not yet begun, trouble was in the arr
men came and went with threatening look OF
preoccupation; and the very day of our arrival was
sgnalized by one of those wild deeds which had al-
readv earned for tho district an unenviable no
toriety.
For weeks past Mr. Smith, Lord Sligos agent
had been warned that he would be "shot," when
ever he yentured upon the gloomy road whlch
winds between the mountains, from Bailycroy to
Mulrany. What his precise offence was was
never able to learn but for one reason or another
he was marked" man. With characteristic re-
finement of poteness his secret enemies had noti-
fed him of his doom. had indicated the place, and
conditonally tho time of his ASSASSINATION Nosh-
ing il will be confessed, could have been more oon
siderate Mr. Smith seems to have understood MS
danger perfectly, though he frequently made light
of it; and for some time no was careful not 10 VEN
ture on the scene fixed for the murder. At last.
however he found 1t absolutely necessary to travei
along that very road.
ON the afternoon in question Mr.. Smith dned
with the Rev. Mr.. Ramsay, minister OF Ballycroy'
lie fingered for some time over his wine. but finally
when the evening shades were falling. ordered MS
horse and car to be made ready and prepared to Co.
"Why hurry away 50 early ~ asked the hospita-
ble minister who knew nothing Of the state OF al
fairs. 1T is going to be fine night"
"Just So" replied the agent, smiling rather nor
yously; "but the fact Is, have an appointment ON
the highway beyond Ballycroy"
Indeed rather lonely place for an appoint
mcntp
1.-THE lonelier the better, since II is an appoint
ment to be murdered" returned Mr.. Smith, pro-
ducng from his pocket the last threatening letter.
in which the place was ingenuously specified
"On the whole, you will agree that had better DC
going before tho night has entirely fallen"
Rejecting all entreatie, to remain till morning,
and pass through the dangerous neghborhood In
the full light of day. the courageous agent mounted
his Irish car, and drove away. His only companion
with the exception of the driver a grim plucky
fellow, famous for his narrow escapes when con-
Quoting marked passengers from place to place.
was his own son. youth between eighteen aud
nineteen years of age. Mr. Smith carried loaded
pistols young Smith was armed. curiousy
enough with small rife, such as is used for shoot
ing rocks.
They passed along rapidly In the shadow Of the
hills through such scene OF desolaton as ~ TO he
found only in Ireland between gloomy reaches OF
bog and moorland, aud often along the very edge
of great estuary of the sea. Here and therc was
mud cabin with trogodytes clustering at the door;
but upon the lonely road ITSELF they scarcely met
SOUL Nothing happened till they passed Ballyveeny.
n desolate and deserted lodge about midway
between Balycroy and Mulrany. Here the road
winds right under the mountains The scene was
forbddng la the extreme, and it was already
almost dark.
Nevertheless. they were congratulating them
selves on their safety, and smiling Mt the danger
which they now thought they had exaggerated.
when suddenly as they passed over a small bridge.
spanning a tiny runlet, wild figures rose or the
roadside, and the ambuscade was revealed
Bang! bang! bang! went several guns; slngs and
bullets whistled in the air. The horse started of
at full galop. with shots raining round its head
Strange to say. not soul was penny the worse!
But young Smith. before the car had flown many
wards, Jumped from his seat, ard with rfe IN hand,
stood ready To face the enemy. IN the roadside.
Nv this time they were in full fight all save one
had dlSappearedj Dut lnal one, running UP " oHlai
hillock twenty yards away. and gripping two
barrelled gum preparing to turn and fire part
ing shot. In a moment the boy covered him. aud
fired. The ruflian fell forward on his face, stone
dead-shot through the heart!
Meantine the driver had rened mp his horse, some
hundreds of yards away. Young Smith ran on,
ioincd his father, and explained what had occurred
Then they drove on rapidly to Murany gave infor-
nation to the police and hastened ON TO Westport,
twenty miles away.
police reached the SPOT somo OF us gall"pcd over.
headed by young DIR. Croly, from the Island OF
AchilL We found the dead man lying where he
had fallen, with his gun under HIM. and his night
forefnger crooked the act to reach the rig seg.
One barrel was loaded with heavy slngs.
" Sure he's as dead as "a dOor-nail," said Doctor
Tom turning the CHASTITY face mp TO the light. 1T
was clean shot ANYHOW, bad luck to hrm!"
The dead man was a powerful, thck-set fellow.
about forty years old, with good foreh head, long
thick jaw. and small deep-sunken eyes. His
dress was coarse but not ragged. aud on his great
feet were heavy laced-up boots
Presently party OF Irish cOnstabuary arrived
with stretcher, and whilo they were placing the
dead man upon IT, we made cursory examination
had lam in ambush. IL was heathery nook, or
hollow close to the road aud lying In il. they must
have been totally hidden from any passers-by. But
fro N the marks and signs about 10 appeared that
they had been there for some tme perhaps for sew
crai nights. Ghe grass and heather were beaten
down where they had lain fragments of loose paper
were scattered mere tntTf, hnH lying peFON
among the grass was an empty whiskev bottle.
sure now cried Doctor Iom % isn't il miracle
how they missed the cart sober man might have
ht il with stone, for they weren't dozen yards
away But III go bail for it, the spalpeens were
roaring drunk. Devil a one OF Them could have
hit barn doOrW
And indeed, that seemed the only possible er-
panation of the agents miraculous escape. The
men, tired with waiting for then victim. had taken
literally to tho bottle. aud had possibly been
startled by the cars approach from n sem-hrunkon
sleep. They were obviously amateurs, exhibiting
in their W ant of finish and awkwardness of method
an mex perence unusual among accomplished land
lord shooters.
That night, the first we spent in Mulrany lodge,
was memorable to the ladies Of our party. All
night the population thronged upon the roads.