Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1888-10-13
ENTOMBED ALIVE.

ala -
In destroying IN old dilapidatct
mansion mean the Bois dc Bulognc late
", Il discovery was made which re
called IA certain event recorded upon
the archives of the police, and upon
which it Is thought that it throws n
certain degree of light. As the event
referred to took place some cightyyeay,
since. il Is Il matter OF considerable
difficulty to trace it back. and yet the
attempt is actually being made.
1t was ia 1905. while General Junot
was governor of Paris, that Il common
d~ay-laborer, 4 bricklaycr 10y trade.
WAS accostcd on his way from his work
TO bis humble home by a stranger, and
asked il he would 20 to a secret spot,
and perform Il piece of work in his
line at once without waiting TO return
to his family. The man heSitatcd at
first, but when told that he should re-
cpiye twenty-five Narolcons for the
Job. be AT nee si@niiied his consent.
he had with him his usual bag oftoolS,
and it was only necessary to be blind
folded wac already evening and
getting dark.
The stranger carefully blinded the
mason with u broad handkerchief. and
aftcr leading Inns into the next street.
he placed him beside himself in a close
vehicle, and they were rapidly driven
away. in what direction the mechanic
could not divine. The carriage had
paused once or twice, and turned
either wholly or half around, on par
pose to confuse him. On they drove
for come fifteen minutes. until they
stopped, and the mechanic. still blind
folded. WAS lead through winding
passages, and up and down some stone
steps, into an apartment, where the
handkerchief AS removed from his
eyes.
1t was evidently n portion of the
basement or cellar Of the mansion, rs
he saw nothing about him but brick
and stone work, the walls all solid eX-
ccpt one closet within the brick-Work
which were boards or planks, So nailed
together as 10 form a portable door To
this dark apartment. The yault-like
room was lighted by one hanginglamp
only, the dim rays of which were
sombre enough. Beside the closet
there lay a quantity of bricks and NOR
tar all ready for nSe.
Then the mason was left alone for n
few moments, and could not but feel
n chill creep over him instinctively
from the effect of the dreary and damp
place. lie did not long remain in sus-
pense before lie heard the noise Of APP
ttfnpGltntr tnnf-tn1S ,,nn,,,nnin ju
sobS and gvOans Of SOmeonCin distress.
These sounds came nearer and nearer,
until a heavy oakcn door opened and
there entered the apartment hali'a-
dozen men in black cloaks and masks,
forcing forward among them the figure
Of a woman, Young and beautiful. Her
| tears, sobs, and dishcvelled hair showed
! that She came most unwillingiy.
She fell upon her knees, rs soon rs
the door was closed behind them, and
begged for mercy Of her masked con
ductors, one of whom. n @rey-hared
man, She addressed rs father; but al IL
vain. No answer was made to her en-
treaties, except by signs, each and nj
stcrnlv shaking their heads. Tho
beautiful young woman in her agony
chung to the knees of him she called
father, but he did not vel open hi:
iips TO utter II word. Finally, ut :
sirn from the grcy-haircd man, two o.
the party seized the young woman ant
rudeIy thrust her into the brick closet
The mason WAS then told to brick III
the opening flush, or even with tn
rest OF the wall, VITA II solid doubl'
course Of mason work; bat, horror
stricken as be had been by the inn
plorin@ lamentations Of the lady, an,
with her half-smothcrQd cries still
ringing in his ears, he fatty refused t
be accessory to such an inhuman ae
As they demanded of him. The maske'
men. drawing their swords, sworc /
kin him on the spot if he hcsitatcd
He had accepted the terms and he mus
fultilI them or die.
Inundated to the last degree, Tn
mechanic took up his tools and com
mcnced to build that living tomb.
Overcome by the intensity Of hi
feelings, he more than once tire
down his tools and declared he woul
not proceed, when the prick OF I'll
, swords, which he knew were thirst
for his blood, aroused and set him I
work again. 4,
{ The masked men all stood solemnl
about him while he worked on, an
still those awful cries were heard fror
within.
..Spare me this" he finally beggc
for the last time; II cannot work"
Until now, the old man had ne
r opened his lips, but he approached tn
, his sword and said:
, "Man 60 TO work.
II cannot"
Zone moment more Of hesitation
and you die"
Z 49,. snare me!' cried the man. O