Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1889-05-01
Bold R 0bbers.

From the Fulton Republican Of
= April "A. The excitement over the
Umberger murder and burglary has
scarcely died away, and now another
horror is added to Somerset countv's
record OF crime. The outrage was
prepetrated upon Christian Yoder, a
wealthy farmer who lives near the
village of Mechanicsburg, about three
miles west of Meversdale After the
Umberger affair Mr. Yoder took So
900 that he had in the house and left
II for safe keeping with a friend in
Mechauicsburg. He had Si00 in his
Possession ON Saturday and intend
ed 10 confide 1t also to the care of his
friend that evening. Just before he
was about to start on this mission
after supper four masked men enter
ed the room where the family were
assembled. Two OF them held re-
volvers in their hands, while the
others bound and gagged the two
women and the hired man. Then
Yoder's money was demanded. He
directed them to the place where the
money was kept and they got the
$40O. They continued the search
and found $50 thai belonged to Mrs.
Yoder and $50 that had been saved
by the servant girl This made them
believe that there was more money
IN the house, and they refused 10
believe YodcI,s emphatic denials.
They dragged the unf, rtunate man
out to the barn, pat a rope around
his neck and hung him to a beam.
Then they took irifn down, but as ne
still persisted In his denial they
strung MIN up aguin and kindied a
fire under his feet. He was again
taken down, and III an unconscious
condition was dragged back 10 the
house. When ne rogainei conscious
ness the men held knives and pistols
10 his head and threatened To take
his lie unless lie confessed. But as
al their efforts were unavaihrg, the
scoundrels finally departed, taking
with them the money and pair of
handsome gray horses.
Some boys who called at the house
discovered the situation of affairs and
carried the news to Nechanicsburg
A posse WAS organized and pursuit
was commenced. The chase was
kept up ali night. On Sunday morn
ing the horses were found in the
woods near Markleton. Pursuit was
then abandoned.
Two Of the men were captured
three miles from Addison on Tues
| day, but afterward made their escape.
They We're in the act of robbing the
smokehouse of William Hanna, when
Hanna came upon them and they
started to run. He followed and
was joined by his brother John, John
Walker, and Mr. Augustine, farmers,
all armed and mounted, who over.
took the robbers and placed them
undeI arrest. One of the robbers
was put in buggy with Augustine
and the other behind John Hanna
on his horse Hanna and his com
panions had been too much excited
however, To disarm the thieves, and
they, at n signal, covered their cap,
tors, with pistol each made then
throw down their arms, and wall
across the fields with upiiftcd hands
until they were ont OF sight. The
two cool-headed robbers then mount
ed their c2ntors' horses-takInG the
one out Of the buggy-and rode Il
the West Virginia line, where the!
Joined their confederates who hac
stolen two horses from a man nance
CoughnoUr near Ursina on Sunday
night, rode through the town of Ad
Olson, and abandoned the horses q
MarklesburS taking TO the West Vir
Sinia. mountains on foot