The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-03-26
M00SIC'S deep MYSTERY
A Butcher Boy, u Revolver, Highway
men and Money Figure in It.
THE STORY THAT SMITH TELLS
1t Is Not Of q Nature Entirely Satis-
factory to the Good People Of MoosiS
and They Are Doing Some Lively
Thinking and Questioning.

Moosic has mystery of a sational
nature that is keeping the quiet people
of that quiet village doing some very
earnest thinking. Herbert Smith, a
young butcher. alleges that as he was
walking from Avoca to his boarding
place in Moosic soon after midnight
last Sunday night he was held up by
highwaymen, who relieved him of $3.50
and also punctured his body with a
ball from revolver.
That is not the mysterious part of the
affair. however
Mr.. Smith came to Moosic some time
ago from CentermOreland where his
parents reside on farm. He obtained
employment with Moosic meat deal
er and prospered so highly that two
months ago he opened q cash meat mar
ket himself. He Is an ardent church
member, and Sunday night attended
services as Is his wont. After listening
to the eXpounding of the word he es-
corted home young lady of his ac-
quaintance who is also Il member of the
same church. She resides in the lower
part of Mooslc and he remained at her
home until midnight. when he departed.
saying he had to go to Avoca before
he turned his steps homeward
The young lady remarked that ii was
somewhat unreasonable hour to
walk to Avoca, a distance of several
miles. but he declared that he had to go
and started in that direction.
MADE A FLYING TRIP.
1t would ordinarily require about half
an hour to walk to Avoca, vet Smith
says he went and transacted the busi-
ness that called him there. returned and
was assaulted and robbed, yet reached
his boarding house between IL and |
O'Clock. He sat in fiis room in his
boarding house without telling anyone
or his condition until about "a. m.,
when he went to the Office of DIR. s. :,
Watson and had the wound dressed.
He told the physician that he wanted
nothing said about the matter.
Monday. when the story of the as
sault became noised abroad, Smith was
asked for particulars of the affair and
offers of assistance i'm running down
and capturing the highwaymen were
made to him. He evinced disposition
to avoid talking about the matter, and
declined to have the authorities inter-
ested In the capture of the criminals.
IL was his desire he said, never to set
eyes on the men again.
The description of the robbers that he
has given to different persons do not
appear to agree and he has avoided
anything like an explanation of the
business that called him to Avoca at
the witching hour of midnight and
seems to be greatly annoyed when aues-
TONED by the good townspeople with
reference to his exciting experience.
HISTORY OF THE ASSAULT.
His story of the assault Is that as
he was approaching the railroad bridge
below the depot. two men sprang in
front of him and commanded him to
throw up his hands A the same time
one of the men leveled a revolver at
his breast. He hit the muzzle of the
weapon. knocking 1t upwards, and at
that moment it was discharged, the
bullet entering his breast above the
heart. The bullet struck a bone and
glanced off sideways into his arm. So
close was the weapon held to him that
the flash, when 1t exploded, burned his
coat.
The highwaymen then contented
themselves with relieving him of $3.50,
but did not take his watch or some
small change he had on his person.
Sunday night, before going to church.
Smith took roll of bills and put II i'm
his pocket, saying he Thoughtful would
be safer on his person. He had a re-
volver and the next day it was found
In his shop with two chambers dis
charged. evidently quite recently. He
denies having had the weapon with him
when assaulted. and says that disliking
TO take 1t to church with him Sunday
night, he went into his shop and left it
there.
The $3.50 taken from him he intended
to use Monday In paying meat bills he
owed in Pittston and In buying q horse,
Two hundred dollars of the amount he
obtained I'm the Pittston bank Satur-
day ON check he had cashed there.
QUESTIONS THEY ARE ASKING.
How did the robbers learn he had the
money on his person? Why did they
not take all his valuables? Why Is not
an effort made to hunt them down?
Where did Smith go Sunday night after
leaving the young lady's house? Why
did he not raise the alarm immediately
after being shot? Did he have a 5000
check cashed at PittstOn? Did he have
the revolver on his person Sunday
night?
These are questions the people of
Moosic are asking themselves and one
another but at the present writing il
appears they will remain unanswered
Mr.. Smith Is recovering from the ef
rect of the pistol shot wounds and
saying nothing.
The Moosic folk are not following his
example. however.
In the days that are coming "Who
shot Smith," will be as famous a oues-
tion in MOosic. as "Who struck RiIlv
Patterson?" was in some other quar-
ters.