New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-28
TRAMP ExTERMINAroRS AROUSED.
A RESPITE FOR LAIRDsvILIE-sTORY OF Il RUM

A RESPITE FOR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF Il RUINED
WALL STREET BROKER.
LtRDsvIrIE. Penn, Dec. 27.-For some time the In
habitans of this place have been living In continual APP
prehenson OF being either robbed, burned up or muir
dered BIZ ramps who have operated here successfully Tor
Mt Friday three OF them entered
the house Of Jasper Smith and secured large sum OF
money, Watches cwery and clothing. One room in the
house occupied by Miss Tillie, fifteen year-old
daughter who heard the light footsteps of the thieves
but was frightened that she could not give an alarm
Partly recovering herself she recoeced there was an
old revolver the This she secured and then
waited for the thieves to approach The door was I'M
locked and moment later it noiseessy opened and
the burglars entered The girl fired directly at them and
then fell fainng to the floor The report aroused her
father and mother who found their daughter lying the
floor unconscious The thieves hal made good their es-
cape leaving the floor spotted with blood
On the same night tramps orcby entered the house Of
an aged couple aud after abusing them threatened to
take their lives unless they handed over all the money in
the house. The old told them where small sum
was hid This they secured, together with all-the old
mans wearing apparel, and departed Similar stories
come all parts OF the valley and 1t was this state OF
affairs that led to the organization Of protective assoca-
ton which determined to break up the OF burglars
Every discover the headquarters OF the tramps
failed until Friday, when information was received that
they the mountain SIDE The commit
tee fully armed started for the place. and when two
a member OF the gang He taken into custody. and
tn OF lynchng freely INDUCED in. but the
trasps appeal for time explain himself caused tenn
por;lry postponement He gave his name as Winfred
Berger, aud continuing. said: ~,
- | was once IA prominent man in Wallst, New-Iork,
thoroughly acquainted with the leading brokers and bus
men OF the city But III luck ahd dissipation GROVE
me to ruin. I wandered from New-York and went
West but misfortune followed me. then came East
and finding ysef absolutely without money or friends
determined live the remainder OF my life unknown to
the world | therefore joined gang OF ramps coming
East Elmira, reaching here about two mon, rs ago
npuhI fanr aafiWa
crimes got something eat and stolen clothes to wear
Since Qua arrival succeeded In stealing large
Quantt of money ewelry and clothing to amount OF
many thousand dollars twas decided tospend The winter
In the Ohio Valley but several nights ago. when obbng
"A house. one OF the members fatally wounded. The
fearing this might lead to their arrest packed
started for other quarters was ANXIOUS 10 make
my way New-York deserted, and am now on my way
10 that city"
story was ineligently told and his general appear
gave evidence OF his having seen better days He
allowed to 20 his way, not, however, until he accom-
pa MED the committee to the tramps rendezvous where
they found things Just he had stated The place was
deserted The wounded tramp referred 10 IN his story
no doubt the one who shot by lille Smlth.