Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-08-23
A GRANGER'S EXPLOIT.
Disguised as a Tramp, He Does Some
Clever Detective Work
IN CAPTURING A Willy OUTLAW.
The Desperate Taken Single-Handed by
the Fearless Farmer
IN A LONELY MOUNTAINOUS COUNTRY


NUMEDIA, PA, Aug. 22.-John Ernst,
the outlaw, and his brother, William, who
two weeks ago, clubbed their elder brother
into insensibility and then stabbed a
bystander, inficting fatal wound,
were captured to-day. While the
Grangers of this section of the
State were holding picnic
at Johnston's Park two weeks ago general
riot took place, in which John, William
and Joseph Ernst participated They were
under the influence of liquor, and the
younger boys set upon their elder brother
because he refused to drink with them.
Brit Cleaver, a bystander, interfered and
attempted to quell the disturbance. John
Ernst drew large knife and plunged it into
Cleaver's left lung He was carried home
in an unconscious condition, and has been
lingering between life and death ever since.
John Ernst escaped during the excitement
and had gone to his home.
THE CONSTABLE FLED.
Constable Beaver hurried to the house,
and when about to force open the front
door, which was locked, a voice from the
second-storv window attracted his .atten-
tion. Looking UP he saw John Ernst lean
ing forward with brace of revolvers in
his hands. The officer beat a re-
GREAT, and the outlaw jumped
tut of the building at the
rear and fled to the woods A posse of citi-
zens secured the mountains for several days
in search of the fugitive, and when about to
give up the chase they came face to face
with Ernst hiding in a cave. His brother
William had Joined him.
Fearing that they would be lynched if
caught, they at once drew their weapons
and opened fire. The pursuers retaliated,
but not until three of the posse were
wounded did the Ernsts make their escape
The news of the shooting spread swiftly,
and in short time bands of citizens from
other sections were on the scene, but too
late to be of any service
HUNTING THE FUG1TJvEs.
Rewards were offered for the capture of
the fugitives and dozen county detectives
started on the track. Night and day the
every hill was scanned, mine breach exam
ined and a diligent watch kept on the
county for miles around, but to no avail.
1t remained for plain Sol Reeler, Con-
stable of Franklin township, to make the
arrest. Reeler is a robust farm laborer. who
cast longing eyes on the large reward, and
determined, if possible, to secure it. When
he left home he said nothing of his
intentions, but told his wife that he
expected to be absent a week on
important business, and that when he re-
turned he would be rich man. He armed
himself with brace of revolvers and
Winchester rifle. He boarded train, and
after having travelled 80 or 40 miles through
a, @oI Co. - 1.xLt Lto1
a small station.
DISGUISED AS A TRAMP.
None of the other officers had ever visited
this region, and he decided to assume the
role of a tramp and make the woods his
sleeping abode. During the day he visited
all the farmhouses and wandered through
the fields, meadows and mountains, and
slept out of doors.
Between 1 and o'clock this morning he
was suddenly awakened by a man falling j
looked up and recognized John Ernst.
The desperate turned around to see what
had caused his tumble. When he
saw it was man he flashed
a revolver, and threatened to
blow out Reeler's brains. The latter
pleaded for his life, SAYING that he was only
a tramp. Ernst took pity on him and
saved his life. They afterward became
friends and decided to rough it together.
CAPTURE OF ERNST |,
To-day it was arranged that Reeler was
to visit Elysburg and beg something to eat,
which was willingly agreed to by the other.
When he went to this place Chief Burgess
was informed of Ernst's whereabouts, and
posse of citizens started for the woods,
scattered in all directions, and when
Reeler declared that he was not
a tramp and claimed Ernst as
his prisoner, the latter resisted, whereupon
a hundred people rushed in upon him, and
that escape was impossible, he sur
and was taken to the station
house at Catawissa.
Here hearing took place, and in default
Of s., 900 bail he was committed to Columbia
County Jail, at Bloomsbury