Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-04-23
BATTLE WITH OUTLAWS.
TWO DESPERATE CRIMINALS CHASED
BY THE POLICE.

of an Untruthful Correspondent-How
Hazleton Reporter Earns His Living.
Ike following startling Especial dis
patch" with two and one-half inch
'scare head" appeared in Fridays
Philadelphia Press, and in an abbrevat-
ed form in other papers of that city. 1t
is worth reading, in order to learn to
what contemplate methods the Halle
ton correspondent of the city papers
must resort to earn living. The dis
patch was as follows:
Hazleton, April l9.-One of the most exciting
events which ever took place in this vicinity
was witnessed by the residents of Drifton this
afternoon. Since the escape of Angelo Matt,
the outlaw, from Sheriff Walters while enroute
to the penitentury on Tuesday, the entire force
of constables, coal and iron police, and a num-
Der of deputies have been watching day and
night to capture him. Yesterday he led a posse
on Il wild goose chase across the mountain
from Hollywood to Hazleton, and then dsap-
peared MS if swallowed in the earth He is a
cunning fellow, and has many friends among
his countrymen, who would go through fire
and water to serve him.
Yesterday Angelo was Joined by Rosario
Stanziola, one Of the most desperate and notori-
GUS characters in the region. He was indicted
Tor murder two years ago, but escaped punish
mcnt through the courts. During the Chilean
excitement he enlisted us an abC-bodied sea-
man on the the battleship Mantonomah, in
New York. Just previous to sailing he was
permitted to come to Hazleton furough,
and never returned to duty. shortly after
ward he was convicted of a felonious assault
on the Bruno brothers and has been but a short
time out of the penitentary and is now wanted
for burglary.
FERRI OFFERS A REWARD.
Matz's bondsman is Joe Ferr also an Italian,
and to save himself is making determined eff
fort to effect his capture. Today he offered Il
reward and besides has Il large number of
friends who ure aiding him. This morning
word reached IIazleton that Matt and Stanzi-
Ola were seen in u saloon at Freeland. posse
of deputies went there at once. The outlaws
got wind of their coming and walked boldly
through the town toward the mountains.
The officers followed the trail which led to-
ward Drifton, where they were Joined by six
Italian friends Of FcTi. While consulting to-
gether the officers and men were suddenly
startled by the report of a revolver some dis
tance up the road and looking in that drec-
ton saw the fugitives running toward the
mountain, each brandishing two revolyers.
SHOT As THEY RAN.
Then began one of the most exciting chascs
between officers and outlaws ever witnessed in
these mountains, The pursuers divided and
sought to surround the despcrudocs. The lat
ter seeing this took Il straight course for the
summit. Their rcvolvers in the meantime
sounded omnous warnings to the approaching
deputies The latter answered in the same
way, but being divided in the woods and not
knowing where their comrades were the bul-
lets flew harmlessy skyward
Alarmed by the firing the people of the town
hocked toward the base of the mountain. For
five minutes the men in the woods We're lost
sight of. The fugitives were the first to come
to view, and this time near the ledge of rocks
which crown the mountain top. Again the
firing commenced The outlaws at last gained
the rocks and there they intrenched them
selves They were safe for time ut least.
The officers dared not venture from the woods
below, and for half an hour they were kept at
bay.
AGAIN DISAPPEAR.
At last the firing ceased and when the posse
reached the rocks the convots had disappeared
in the Businesses of the other side The Italians
are now divided. Bondsman Ferri is not will
ling to lose his money if he can help it, and he
has much influence among his countrymen.
Without the latter's aid the officers would
have no hope Of capturing the outlaws.
The Italians are determined to save Ferris
money, and as the fugitive will never give up,
his dead body is expected to be brought to
town mt any minute Twenty Italians and as
many deputies all armed to the teeth, are now
securing the mountains. The Italians are
determined that the fugitive will be taken
dead or alive
The above would make an interesting
chapter for novel of the Cap. Collier
series, but it should have no place in the
columns of papers that profess to give
their readers genuine news. There is
not line of truth in the whole article
Matz was not seen or heard tell of in
this vicinity, and the battle at the base
of an imaginary mountain was not
fought, as there were neither outlaws or
officers here at that time to do the
fighting. The young man at Hazleton
who sends to the cities such sensations
is carrying this matter TOO far, for reports
through the country will injure the re-
putation of any community. This region
has enough to account for without being
loaded down with the efTusions of lying
correspondents, who will libel n town
for the sake of the few dollars city
editors will pay for that class of work.
This dispatch is not the only one against
which objections can be raised. There
is scarcely day in which the Phila.
delphia papers, the Press especially. does
not contain an account of some terrible
deed having been committed in this
section.
1t has been said, and it begins to look
as if it is true, that these sensations ale
inspired by the coal and iron police OF
the region, cowardly gang of thugs
who are paid fine salary for an occa.
sional ok XhibitiOn of brutality Thev q 70