Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-17

loaded his musket and fired repeatedly
into the crowd until NJ last panel IN tne
door gave way and the robbers were IN
side. The clergyman and bis wife now
escaped by the .back-door, but were toi-
lowed and Pithan seized and tortured
The noise attracted attention, and dc,
tachment Of cavalry SWAN the river ana
headed of the robbers as they were es-
Gaping with their plumber. But the men
were TOO much for the cavalry. They seized
n barge. overpOwered the crew. and es,
caped in safety. Soon after. Fetzer and
another man invaded the cell Of man VINO
was a hermit, aud was supposed 70 De
miser a. well. Those on guard were caught
and bound, and the cell was pllageu.
Very little money was found, but thsre
was 10 lack Of provisions. a terrible
storm coming on. the robbers ate. drank,
and were merry till morning, when they
went home, well pleased with the ady,en-
ture. but disappointed with the plumber.
For this Fetzcr was arrested. but he sue
cceded in again cfecting his escape, when
he did without great trouble.
4 wealthy jews house at Netteshelm was
next pillaced. Many sacks Of money were
found. including one so heavy that Fetzer
could scarcely carry it. They retired INTO
a field % share up, when the contents on
the heavy sack proved 10 be colossal SOUS
coined by republican France out OF brass
gun metal Again this successful JAN
breaker was arrested but once more be es-
capped and was able 70 lead hrs band 20
daring attack. ia 1898 he learned that
rich banker of Nenweid, in the fear OF the
French coming. had sent all his money 10
his father-in-hw's house 10 baden, ana
thi,hcr the band proceeded. This time the
robbers Of the Rhine were summoned from
an points by special messengers, ana an
organized attempt made. Three hundred
cartridges were received and parcelled OUT
among thc thieves, who at gwen moment
attacked the house
Admission was easily obtained, but to
their charrin the robbers found they had
been deceived The house was empty,
But they were in for spoil and plumber, ana
meant 10 have both. They attacked the
taX-cOllectors Office opposite. but were
then surrounded by villagers. They re-
treated 10 the woods, where they fought
against great numbers Of people and sol
diors. Most of the gang were arrested,
but
TETZEB's LUCK HELPED HIM.
and he escaped. The mail coach from
Cologne to Elbcrfeld was next robbed at
Iaugeufeld. The iron gates of the nm
where the coach had been put up were
broken in. and the coach plundered. the
francs. From this On hurglarics were COM
United almost every night, with petty phi
fering during the day On one occasion
FetZer accidentally stole a baby. a woman
WAS carving basket, and the robner
chief took 10 from her she was TOO
frightened 10 speak. but the infants cries
soon undeceivcd the robbcr. who dropped
tire basket and departed for parts un-
known. e.,
Three times I'm three months the intrepid
robbcr chief was arrested. but he escaped
each time without difhculty-in fact. ms
skill as "a iail-braakcr was something extra
ordinary. Then he had trouble at home
and committed the only crime Tor which ne
WAS ever known 20 express rcmorse. He
h4da rather had-tempCrcd wife and one
son. Coming home one day smartng under
the defeat Of q great plumber PROJECT nc
found his wife thrashug the child. In %
rage me killed her. From this ON he be-
came more reckless than eycrand expressed
"a q termination Of stealing enough 10 give
tho child am education at the Drsulinc con
vent. Although Doe had stolen thousands
lc differed SO much from his Hebrew as
s.-fants that he had saved scarcely cent,
and lived IN comparative poverty, except
just after rad.
Ina strange town me was arrested on sus-
"A lookup. He planned escape for the other
prisoners. hut declined 10 20 himself. SO
satisfied was hc Of his ability to prove an
aI46. This dare-doyltTy cost him his lie,
for "A few DAYS later he was recognized as
tine celebrated robbcr chief. convicted OF
over one hundred burglaries, and SELL
fenced 90 bc executed. He bore up brave
Iv 10 the last and made some bold bids
fer liberty. For the last time in his life he
managed To break Jail, and would have
ESCAPED had not IBIS shoes failed him
while on the rum At last the fatal morn
ing came. Hc expressed am intense ycarn-
ing for few hours liberty, SD as 10 bee
able To- commit at least one more gigantic
robbery. The priest rehuked FetZcr, who
replied that hc was thinking only Of his
child. who must now go 20 the dogs. On
thc scafiold De- objected 10 having his eyes
hhndfold.d. but otherwise faced death
with cool courage which was noble
After bis death The robbers Of the Rhine
ceased % exist. Those who escaped cap
ture left the valley of the Rhine and We're
heard of uO more.