The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-08-24
IN THE INTERESTS OF SCI
ENCE.

ENGG-
Though had known George Martin 4
long time, be had only lately initiated
me into the mysteries Of his life. knew
well that he had been guilty Of many
kinds Of excesses and indiscretions in his
youth, nevertheless, I was not little
astonished to hear that he had once sunk
50 low as burglary. Without further re-
malk here I relate the chief episode out
ofthe remarkable career ofthis strange
man;
Yes" said he, Il had hard time Of
It in those days and finally became a.
burglar. When Robert Senmiediein
proposed TO me that We should break
iuto the somewhat retired house of two
doctors, DR.. Engler and DR.. Langner, l
thoughtlessIy agreed. Both doctors we're
well know on account Of their scientific
researches, and one Of them especially
for his eccentric manner.
"Weu the night 4 xed for the carrying
cut of our design arrived, and We went
10 work with the greatest confidence, for
all the circumstance were fayorably for
burglary. Ii was pitch dark, neither
moon nor stars visible, and in addition a
strong vest wind was blowing. which
was very welcome 10 Us, as it promised
to drown every sound, however slight.
1T was toward two in the morning as
We, assuming al was safe, began by fling
through a chain which fAs. ened ladder
to the wall. The ladder we placed under
a window in the first story on the left
side Of the house In less than i've min
utes We had opened the window, and
hearing nothing, Schmiedlein climbed
through It andI followed him. After
carefully rerlosing the venetians We ven
tured to light lantern, and then discoy-
cred that We we're in kind Of lumber
room, the door Of which vas locked.
After picking. the lock We determi1-
ed first TO explore the rooms on the
ground floor, thinking We should thus
run less risk Of waking the inhabitants
Of the house.
TO our no little astonishment We per
ceived, as We crept down stairs, 4 light
shining under the door Of one Of the
rooms at the back Of the building.
aAt first we were both for beating
hasty retreat. Schmiedlein soon recover
ed himself and proposed we should force
our way into the room, bind and gag
every occupant and then obtain by
threats al desirable information.
81 agreeing, We approached the door.
While carefully throwing the light round
1 noticed, seven feet from the door, a wire
which appeared to pass through the door
We we're approaching, and on pointing it
out to my companion, he thought it
would be connected with some bell.
4 replied in whisper that We should
try and avoid any alarm by cutting the
wire, and as could just reach it with my
hands [ would hold It firm whilst
SchmiedIein cut il between my hands,
and thus prevent it jerking back and
ringing the beE.
Setting the lantern on the floor,
seized the wire, whilst Schnliedlein drew
a pair Of pinchers out Of his pocket. But
the moment I touched it felt fright
ful shock, which quivered through and
through me, 50 that fell all of heap,
tearing the wire down with me. re-
member hearing the loud ringing Of a
Dell, whilst Standardization, more
over, I have never seen sinee-disappear-
ed ike lightning into the darkness and
escaped, very likely by the way he had
come
on falling down I struck my head
violently against the opposite wall and
became unconscious, whilst the electric
bell-at that time a novelty-rang u
ceasingIy-
sRegaining myIsenses, l found myself
bound and helpless, which, after all, did
not surprise me, a. concluded had
been caught where fell. II socn struck
me, however, that there were some Peeu-
liar circumstances connected with my
captivity.
Il was nearly undressed, md lay on
cold slab Of slate which was about the
height OF table from the ground, and
only = piece Of linen protected my body
from Immediate contact with the stone.
Straight above me hung large lamp,
whose polished reflector spread bright
light far around, and when I, as far as
possible, looked round, 1 perceived sew
e, al shelves with bottles, TASKS and che
micaI apparatus of all kinds upon them
In one corner ofthe room stood com
pleEe human skeleton, and various odds
and ends Of human bodies hung here and
| there upon the walls then knew was
living on the operzting-or dissecting-
table Of doctor, discovery which nat
uraIly troubled me greatly; at the sane
time perceived that my mouth also was
firmly gagged
What did It al mean? Had some
accident befAllen me, that surgical op-
Grafton was necessary for ny recovery
Bot remembered nothing Of the kind,
and also felt no pain; nevertheless here
1 lay, stripped and helpless. on this terri
bic tAblegagged and bound which In
dicated something extraordinary.
at astonished me not a little that
there should be such an operation room
1 in such house, until remembered that
] Or. Langrer, IS district physician, had