Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-23

two neighbors called to purchase from
him tobacco plantation situated short
distance away. An engagement was made
for the following day at the estate in
question. and at early dawn Senior Lauzan
started from his home to meet the in
tending buyers at the appointed place.
He was travelling at brisk rate along the
highway, when two men approached him
and asked him if his name was Lauzan.
Yes said he. ''What is it you wish?n
"Follow u.s. they said.
"Gentlenen," said LaUzen, divininp
enelr purpose. us il money you want? 1
have plenty about me. 1 will give il to
you, and more too; but let me pass.
"tollow Us, and keep SILENT" said one
OF the strangers. "We overheard YOUR
conversation at the window last night.
You are afraid of US, are you? What have
We cons to you that you should so vio-
ieLtly oporald US, you sneaking cowardg
why nave you refused to contribute to
our support, you sordid old rascal? Do
you fhlnk 1T is everybody's fortune to
| nave rich father and inherit plantations.
hke you! Ii you have no feeling for
your poorer fellow creatures, we'll teach
you 10 be more humane. Now, follow us;
open your umbrella and hold it so close
to your head that your eyes can see moth
ing but the ground; look neither to the
righs or left, and not sound or you will
pay dearly for is. Now forwards
They kept up their marsh till evening.
boldly crossing through plantations, and,
In many instances following the high
roads TO save time. When night came
the bandits put up hammocks for them.
seives, and left Senior Lausen, a feeble
man, a years of age, to sleep on the
ground. By the fickering glare of the
campfire Senior Lauzan wrote a few lines
to his family explaining his situation and
asking for $1,000 with which to buy his
freedom. 1t is believed that the sum
PAID was IL reality much larger, but on
this point Senior LaUzen is somewhat
reticent.
During his captivity, Lauzan was obi
ged TO do do all sorts of mental offices
Tor she bandits. He was deprived of food
II he so much as raised his eyes from the
ground, and for hours at time. with ewes
blindfolded, he had to keep up with the
bandits, rapid pace. In these tramps he
frequently fell and cut his face. hands
and knees against the sharp rocks. His
pain and bruises excited only their laue h.
; ter, and If he Jagged behind cuff and
threats of terrible punishment IL case of
dlsobedIenoe to orders inspired him to
superhuman efforts.
When his release was announced to
him, Senior Lauzan says his brain was so
weak from exhaustion and hunger that
he scarcely comprehended the meaning
of that long expected phrase. The ban
! ditts placed him on a horse and again
blindfolded him. Then with man on
either side to keep him in position, the
. group kept up pretty lively pace for
the greatest part of the day At about
O'Clock that evening they halted. The
bandits took Lauzan from the horse and
warned him not to take the bandage from
his eyes or take a step till be heard the
order. The signal having been given, he
was to go forward in straight line with
outiooking back On pain of being shot.
That night Senior Lauzan walked I'M
ceasingly, in the hope of getting to his
home as soon as possible. Some time
after midnight he reached the we'll known
road house, Saportas, where he intended
to pass the night; but too weak to even
rap at the door, Lauzan sank exhausted
ON the door step, where he was found in
the early hours of the morning by the
inn keeper. The latter after serving
him with something TO eat and dressing
his bruises conducted Leuzan to his
home.