Evening journal., 1894-01-18
TOWN AFTER ROBBERS.
Five Burglars Were Discovered
In the Postoffice.
A LIVELY PISTOL FIGHT ENsUED,
The Burglars Retreated and Escaped to
the Mountains with tho Whole Male
Population at Their HeeIs-Hundreds Of
Shots, but Only Three hit.

shots, but Only Three Hit.
sHAMoKIN, Pa, Jan. 1s.-Flve masked
outlaws made a raid ON the Danville post
Office, but before they showed a big pile OF
Rreenbacks into canvas bag the police
made their appearance. A desperate run
ming battle ensued, during which officer
Van Gilger was mortally shot through the
lungs while two of the outlaws dropped
from the firing, but were picked up by
their companions and bundled into a row
boat, after which race across the Susque-
hanna river ensued, the entire band man
aging to escape into the mountains of
Northumberland county.
Danville is the county seat of Montour,
and the population Of 5000 is guarded by
four policemen. At . a. m. Officer Lewis
Byerly was passing the postofilce when he
saw masked man crouching In the door
way. Byerly drew his revolver, but before
he could fire the stranger slipped around
the corner.
a Fusillade Begun.
The policeman rushed to the homes Of
Officers Dave Rissel and John Van Gilger,
which were close by, and told them that he
thought a band of outlaws was robbing
the postofiice. In few minutes the three
men ran to the postoflice in time to meet
the mysterious stranger emerging from the
door, followed by companion They blew
loud, piercing whistle and commenced
firing revolvers at the police, who dodged
behind the lampposts and returned the fire
Ten shots were exchanged, when the rob
bers were re-enforced by three more men.
Every one was well armed, and a continu-
Gus round Of firing commenced. The ban
| dts formed a square and hugged the stone
steps leading TO the massive building,
where they were able to escape the police
mems bullets. Numerous citizens appear
ed armed with weapons Of every descrip-
tion. The firing became so warm that the
| robbers concluded to retreat TO the river
bank.
They discharged three volleys at the ex-
cited townsmen and ran eastward, each
side exchanging shots. Van Gilger, who
led the pursuers, suddenly threw up his
hands and fell, shot through the lungs.
Tho Burglars Escape.
| About the same time two of the robbers
| fell. Their comrades grabbed them, and
| during a momentary halt of the pursuers
they managed to reach the Susquehanna
| river. A rowboat was secured, and three
outlaws, after leaving their wounded com
panions at the bottom Of the boat. com
menced sculling in the direction Of the
| Northumberland side.
The pursuers, now force Of 100 infuri
ated men, secured as many boats as posi-
BILE, and an exciting chase commenced
revolyers and rifles cracking at every turn
but no person was hit Owing TO thei
good start the outlaws succeeded in reach
ing the opposite side before the foremos
boat containing the police was half wa!
across, aud when the pursuers touched
land the daring men were in the noun
tains, which are now being secured on al
sides by the sheriff's posse.
1t is thought that the bandits will seel
a cave in order to hide their wounded com
panions and to throw the police of the
scent. In the event of their being surprised
another desperate battle will occur. Tn,
sheriff says ne will bring back the slayeri
Of Van Gilger dead or alive