Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-12-18
MYSTERY OF suIpIEr WOODS.
william S. Tanguy's Lively Horseback
Chase After q Pair of Suspects.

hiAhum >. IanBuyb biFciy horsephch
Chase After Pair of Suspects.
A story has just come to light of the
experiences last week of Wilmington
business man, which during the brief
time of their occurrence were of most
lively if not thrilling nature.
Thursday last genteel looking per-
son attired in silk hat and dark cloth
ing called at w. S. Tanguy's livery
stables, corner of Delaware avenue and
Tatnall street. The man was of medium
height and quiet, unassuming address.
He inquired for the proprietor and on
being shown into the Office explained
that he would want a good smart team
for two or three hours in the afternoon
to go to du Points office. The man then
left.
1 About o'clock in the afternoon a
stout, rough-looking fellow with SCARED
face called and made similar request.
He was Immediately followed by another
stranger, an older man, with gray whis-
kers, and of more reputable appearance.
The first man had light moustache,
and wore a light overcoat The older
nan was in dark clothing. The last two
W ire companions.
The men wanted fast team in order
to get back from du Points to catch the
| $50 train to Philadelphia. A horse and
buggy was aeinf led out in reply to their
request whei. inc rougher of the two
men noting that the animal stepped a
little slowly asked Mr.. Tanguy if that
were the kind Of fast horse they were
| to get. The latter hestated moment
and looking again at his visitors ordered
the horse back to its stall. Mr.. Tanguy
| objected to his team being driven 12
miles in an hour under the circum-
stances, The men demonstrated in turn
when they were at length allowed to
take the team.
Mr.. Tanguy watched the men closely
as they got into the buggy and over
heard one of them humble, Lets go
by the stone quarry" This excited his
curiosity all the more and following the
buggy to Tenth and Market saw them
turning towards Brandywine.
He came quickly back to the stables
and ordered horse to be saddled. Rid
ing at u smart pace to Brandywine
| bridge he looked as he reached
Eighteenth street for buggy tracks and
seeing none followed at gallop along
the Philadelphia pike towards River
view. 1t was now getting dusk and
Mr. Tanguy became more convinced
still that the men were horse thieves.
At length he met ex Collector Edwin p.
Moody and friend in buggy.
Probably Mr.. Moody guessed some
thing of Mr.. Tanguy's predicament as
he saw him at full gallop and in evident
pursuit of some one.
after your brown mare ?" the former
cried out hating his horse. "We Just
passed two men driving herin buggy"
The pursuer muttered something about
wishing he had an officer along and
then impatiently renewed the chase.
Reaching Riverview he just caught sight
of the buggy with top down going at a
smart pace and turning to the left up
the Shipley road. Increasing his speed
he arrived at the spot to find his guest
entirely out of sight While on the
gallop in the growing dusk he suddenly
met dearborn and hailing the occu-
pants he breathlessly told his story.
"Why they are up there in the
woods" one of the gentlemen replied
indicating with his whip stalk an indis.
tinct cartway path, adding, "if you 90
back you'll sec them up there"
Mr.. Tanguy guided his horse up the
iiNAihNhlNh lbuAl anu .luSl WHERE IL
was lost in the woods he came upon his
two friends. The men were standing
alternating and were extremely sur
prised at the sudden apparition of
visitor. Amid the gloom and excitement
OF the moment Mr.. Tanguy could not
see very much nor would he dismount.
The buggy had been turned around with
the horses head towards the public
road. Two valises, half opened, lay at
the foot of beach tree. Articles some
what resembling a burglars kit were
seen.
"Why, I hired you this team to go to
du Points" Mr.. Tanguy exclaimed;
what does all this mean?n
The men seemed nettled at what they
too apparently resented as an intrusion,
and one of them replied;
"We allowed to go there, but we are
trying some experiments first, and then
we'll go to du Points office afterwards. +"
"Thats nonsense! The office is closed
by B o'clock. You know better than
that"
There was some further alteration
when Mr.. Tanguy demanded his prop
erty and also payment for the use of his
buggy. The men paid but demurred at
the prospect OF having to walk home.
Being two to one Mr. Tanguy did not
care to provoke further differences. He
did not get off his horse, but carefully
kept his eyes about him in solicitude
for his personal safety. He was then
allowed to lead the horse and buggy
down the pathway from the dusky
woods and at length was extremely
glad to get on to the high road again all |
safe.
The next morning accompanied by
Special Officer Hawkins of the b. O. o.
railway he went out to the locality to
look for anything that would give any
intimation of the mems business, but
without result.
Three months ago one of Mr.. Tan
guys men drove out with the elder of
the two men to the same spot. The
driver was then dismissed and told he
might go home.
Both of the men had their shoes
covered with mud when they called at
the livery stable, and they did not have
the valises with them, so that it is sup
posed the property had been first Sc
GREETED in the woods that morning.
IN TTILTiy,S STJI EtTT0