The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-29
OUTRAGES BY TRAMPS.
Courageous Sixteen Year-0ld Girl-The
Story Told by Former Speculator.

LEHRsvILLE, Pa, Dec. 2S-The greatest ex-
ejtement prevails hero over numerous outrages
committed by gang of tramps who have infest
ed this neighborhood during the past few
months. These mscreaEts entered the resi-
dence of Jasper Smith, last Friday, and secured
large amount of cash, iewelry and clothing.
Every room in the house. with but one exceD-
zion. had been pillaged The occupant of this
room was sixteen-vear- old daughter of Mrs.
Smith. who was awake and heard the tramps
goi lg through the house, but was so overcome
with fear that she was unable to move or give an
alarm The girl soon recovered her courage, and
suddealy remembered that an old revolver be-
longing to her father in of the bureau
Sjrawe3s. fltis she quickly secured, and then
she awaitedN-the tramps entrance to her
room. The door was quietly opened,
when the brave girl fred two successive
shots at the burglars. General confusion
folowed and the girls parents hurriedly rushed
to the daughters room to find her lying across
the bed unconscious. The tramps 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 bed
room floor and the stair steps A bottle OF
chloroform was also found in the hallway,
which they evidently dropped in making their
hurried fight.
Several nights prior the home of an aged
couple living some distance from here was en-
tered, and, after forcing the old lady to prepare
something TO eat, they demanded money or
their lives The old couple begged the rufians
so spare their lives, giving them So, all the
the money there was In the house. Similar
stories coming from all parts of the valley, an
Indignation meeting of citizens was held here
A.
formed Information received that their
rendezvous several miles outside of the
town, and the members of the Protective
Association resolved to raid the place.
On the way they encountered
suspicious character whom they took in
charge. Preparations making to lynch
him, when the tramp which he evidently was
begged to be heard. The stranger said his name
was Berger, and that his home was in New York
Stase ''At one time was a prominent specu-
lator on Wall street. lost and won, but i'll
luck overlook me- Dissipation followed. Abso-
lUtely peuniiess, | sought consolation in the far
West but misfortune continued. ! came East
again, with no better luck. contemplated sui
eide, but rather than have hand in my
death. | decided to live out my miserable ex-
isteneo until it terminated in the grave At Ell
mira l joined some tramps who were working
their way through to Pennsylvania We arrived
here Two months ago." and, trembling with fear,
he acknowledged that they met with unusual
success. Continuing, he said II took active
part in their crimes. but was deputized by the
leader of the gang to keep record of what was
done each day. For the performance of this
duty ! got plenty to eat and any quantity of
stolen clothes to wear. The extent of the rob-
berries In this neighborhood would foot up many
thousand dollars in cash, to say nothing of the
jewelry, clothing, etc, stolen Our 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 burgarizirR a dwelling in the neigh
borhood, and lest the occurrence might lead to
their detection and arrest, they left. The gang
was principally composed of professionals lam
deserted, and am now en- route for New York
A visit to the rendezvous corroborated the
Story which was nteliigently related. Berger
is a man Of education. but is total wreck from
dissipation. He was therefore permitted to go
his way. A feeling Of relief now prevails at
Lehrville and other tramp-ridden towns The
organization, however, remains intact for future
emergencies