The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-29
A GANG or MISCREiNTS
BROKEN UP BY A YOUNG GIRL,
Who Shoots One Of Them While
Entering Her Bedroom
Grimes.

NEW YORK, December 49, a special
from Lshrsville, Pa, says; Tho great
est excitement prevails here over N.Y.
merous outrages committed by gang
Of tramps who have infested this
neighborhcoi during the past few
months. These miscresnts entered
the residence of Jasper Smith last
Friday and occurred large amount OF
cash, jsweiry and clothing. livery
room in the house with but one tx
csption had been pillaged. The occu-
pant of this room was q sixteen yesr
old daughter of Mrs. Smith, who was
awake and heard the tramps going
through the house, bat was 30 over
come with fear that she was unab e to
move or give an alarm. The girl soon
recovered her courage and suddenly
remembered that an old revolver be-
longing to her father was in one OF
the bureau drawers. This she quickly
secured and then she awaited the
tTamps' entrance to her room. The
door was quietly opened, when the
brave girl fred two successive shots at
the burglars. General confusion fol-
lowed and the girls parents hurriedly
rushed to the daughters room to
find her lying across the bed un-
conscious. The trampe had escaped
but an examination disclosed
that the shots were not without
effect. The girl soon recovered and
then related the story OF her exploit
with the burglars. Blood stains marked
the bedroom hlor and stair::steps. A
bottle of chloroform wss also found in
the hallway, which they evidently
dropped in making their hurried
flight.
Several nights prior the home OF an
aged couple. living some distance from
here, was entered, and after forcing
the old lady to prepare something 10
eat, they demanded their money or
their lives. The old couple begged the
ruffians to spare their lives, giving
them 50, all the money ia ths
house. Similar stories coming from
all parts OF the valley, an indignation
meeting of cit zans was held here Sat
uIdsy and protective association was
formed. Information was received
that their rendezvous was Eeveral
miles outside OF the town, and the
members OF the Protective Association
resolved to raid the place. On the
way they met suspicious character,
whom they tok in charge. Pre-.
psrsiioas were making TO lynch him,
when the tramp, VIII ch he evidently
was, begged to be heard The stranger
said his name was Berger, and that
bis home was in New York State. "At
one time was appointment Spectator
on Wall street. l lost and won, but
i'll luck overlook me. Dissipation
followed. Absolutely penniless, l
sough consolation in the far West, but
misfortune continued. l came II .st
again with no better luck. / contem-
plsted suicide, but rather than have
hand in my own death, l decided to
live out my miserable existence until it
terminated in the grave. At Elmyra
/ Joined some tramps who were work
ing their way through to Pennsyl-
vania. We arrived here two months
ago." and trembling with fear, he
acknowledged that they met with
unusual success. Continuing, he said {:
al took no active part In their crimes,
but was deput q ID by the leader of the
gang to keep q record Of what was
done each day. For the performance
Of this duty l got plenty to eat and
any quantity of stolen clothing to
wear. The extent of the robberies IN
this neighborhood would foot up
many thousand dollars in cash, to cay
nothing Of the jswelry, cloth
ing, etc., stolen. One rendezvous
is located three miles from here, but
the place is now deserted. Every
member of the gang has disappeared.
Their sudden exit was brought about
through the fatal shooting OF one Of
the gang while burglarihlag a dwell
ling in the neighborhood, and, lest
the occurrence might lead to their de-
lection and arrest, they left. The
gang was principally composed OF pro-
fessionals. / am deserted, and am
now en- route 10 New York" A visit
10 the rendezvous corroborsted the
story which was intelligently related.
Berger was q man of education, but
was total wreck from dissipation.
He was therefor permitted to 90 his
way. A feeling Of relief now prevails
at Lehrsvills and other tramp ridden
towns. The organization, however,
remains intact for future emergencies,