St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-12-29
TRANIPS ROUTED.
A plucky Girl Shoots n Iarauder
ana Then EnIn1s.

LEHRSvILLE. Pa, Dec. 2S.-The great
est excitement prevails here over numerous
outrages committed by a gang of tramps
who have infested this neighborhood during
the past few months. These miscreants
entered the residence of Jasper Smith last
Friday and secured large amount of cash,
jewelry and clothing. Every room in the
house, with but one exception, had been.
Dillaged. The occupant of this room was
a sixteen year-old daughter of Mrs. Smith,
who was awake and heard the trampS going
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 suddenly remembered
that an old revolver belonging tO her
father was in one of the bureau
drawers. This she quietly secured and
then awaited the tramps' entrance to her
room. The door was quietly opened, when
the brave girl fired two successive shots at
tho burglars. General confusion followed
and the girls parents hurriedly rushed to
their 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 bedroom floor and the stair
steps. A bottle of chloroform was also
found in the hallway, which they
dropped in making their hurried
flight. Several nights prior the
home of an aged couple living some dis
tance from here, was entered. and after
forcing the old lady to prepare something
to eat they demanded money or their lives
The old couple begged the ruffianS TO spare
their lives, giving them IS, all the money
there was in the house. Similar stories
coming from all parts of the valley. an in
dignation meeting of citizens was held there
Saturday and protective association
was formed Information was received
that their rendezvous was several miles out
side of the town, and the members of the
protective association resolved to raid the
place On the way they encountered a
suspicious character, whom they took in
charge. Preparations wer making to lynche
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 state.
THE TRAAIP's STORY.
"At one time was a prominent speculator
on Wall street. | lost and won, but ill luck
overlook me. Absolutely peuniless | sought
consolation in the far West but only in vain.
/ came East again with no better luck. con-
templated suicide, but rather than have
hand in NV own death, decided to live out
my miserable existence until it terminated in
the grave. At Elmira l Joined gang of
tramps who were working their way through
to PENNSYLVANIA. We arrived here tyo months
ago." and trembling with fear, he ac-
knowledged that they met with unusual sue
cess. Continuing, he said: Il took no active
part in their crimes, but was deputiZed by the
leader of the gang to keep a record OF what
was done each day. For 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 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. The
sudden exit was brought about through the
fatal shooting of one of the gang while burg
| lar1zing a dwelling in the neighborhood, and
| lest the occurrence might lead to their deten-
ton and arrest they left. The gang was
principally composed of professionals. j de-
| serted them and am now en- route for New
York"
On visit TO the rendezvous, the robber
stated the story, which was intelligently re-
lated. Berger was man of education, but
was total wreck from dissipation. He
was therefore permitted to go his way. A
feeling of relief now prevails at LehrSville
and other tramp-ridden towns. The organ
izatiOn, however, remains intact for future
amerpencieS