Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-06-10
Attacked First by Great Hound.

For over a year the people living
within a radius Of 20 miles of the City
Of Mexico, have been in a state Of
semi-panic over the strange attacks
which have been made upon travel
lers who are compelled to be out after
nightfsll.
There appeared to be some demon
who took delight in naugling belated
people and robbing them. No deaths
have ever occurred, but in each in
stance the party attacked has been
suddenly grasped by the throat by
some apparently very powerful an
imal, which is so strong jawed that II
shuts of the air at the first grasp and
causes the victim TO faint
When consciousness returns he
would find himself lying with bleed
inx throat and his pockets ritled OF
all their contents The attacks were
sudden and in the dark. One man
who had occasion To be out after dark
told that 1t appeared TO be some long
animal which came leaping upon
him and he had barely time TO notice
this ere he WAS borne TO the ground
and held in the grasp of the awful
laws, and then he knew nothing
more until he recovered conscious
ness.
Manuel Pinez is a wealthy ranch
owner who lives in Mexico and who
visits his ranch twice Il month To look
after affairs there. and il is always his
habit TO make his trips in such way
that he gets To the city before dark.
About two weeks ago he had been
detained so long that he would not
get back home until late ut night,
and while he feared the assault OF the
mysterious robber, he determined to
get home il possible.
Being man OF an inventive turn
OF mind he made himself an armor 10
protect his throat from the attack OF
whatever il was that caught the
people. Taking the heavy leather
stirrup piece from his saddle he cut II
collar and fitted IL TO his neck In such
"a manner that IL fully covered his
whole throat. Then with pistol la
each hand, he rode through the dark
roads toward the city. lie was with
in sight OF the lights OF the city and
began TO feel that he had safely
passed all danger. when he saw AN
animal leaping toward him.
He had Just time TO notice the ami
NAL when It leaped at his throat aud
bore him from his horse To the ground.
His armor served him well. however.
aud the animal could not get grip
on his throat. Pinez had his revolver
ready and pressing IL against the
side Of his assaiIant he fired n shot
which rolled IL over. aud then. just as
he was rising was again attacked, but
this time by n man who struck him
with club. The blow was not So
we're enough To do damage, and In
the hand TO hand conflict which fol-
lowed Pinez got the best OF his AL
versary and stunned him. He bound
the man and took him TO the city.
An investigation showed that the
animal was Great Dane hound
which had been trained to take down
the people without killing them. His
master had sent him after the victims
and when they were rendered I'm.
conscious he wonld rob them with im-
punity and then return 10 his home
without fear OF detection.
The prisoner was questioned by the
chief OF police, but refused TO give
any answer. He appears to mourn
the loss OF his dog greatly, and did
not seem 10 care what became OF him.
self now that the animal was gone.
An investigation revealed the fact
that the man lived In the outskirts Of
the city and was apparently tamalh
vender.
His dog was always at home and
kept the neighbors from being too In
quisitive. In the cabin was found
the fruits OF several recent robberiss
and evidence sufficient 10 show that
the prisoner made II regular nightly
occupation. An effort was made 10
get him 10 tell something about him
self aud dog, but he stubbornly re-
fused 10 talk.