Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-09-24

The thick woodland along the Will.
mington g. Northern railroad and Land.
enberg branch Of the Baltimore & Ohio
railroad between the Newport turnpike
and Elsmere has become notorious as
the headquarters of highwaymen of the
boldest type. The bandits are both
black and white men and they are
armed TO the teeth, Recently the negro
element has been more in evidence than
their white companions in crime, but
the latter have lost no opportunities
where they thought they could operate
and avoid detection.
Within the past week two men have
been held up, and at ths point OF
pistols have been compelled TO hand
over all their valuables, and the out.
laws have managed to keep out Of the
reach of the officers.
Late Sunday night week respectable
colored man living near tine old Rich
ardson mill. while walking alone from
this city to his home, was surprised
just as he reached the railroad CROSS
ing by two negroes who sprang at him
from ambush along the roadside, and
with drawn revolvers, demanded his
money. The inoffensive darkey was
frightened almost to death, and in con-
sequence was little slow in complying
with the demand. The outlaws in
tended that their orders should be
promptly obeyed, and one Of them
poured voley OF vile epithets at him
with degree of venom that would have
shamed the devil. AL the while both
men threatened to shoot the frightened
man unless he acted at once. They
were about to carry out THAR threats
when the helpless darkey. seeing that
his life was at stake, produced $1l25.
all OF the money in his possession, and
in fact everything Of value he had
about him. The highwaymen snatched
the money and after satisfying them-
selves that they could get nothing more,
released their hold. The thoroughly
frightened negro seeing his opportunity,
freed himself and started on mad run
toward his home. He had scarcely
reached the foot of the hill, having
gone but short distance, when he
heard a shot fred after him, but the
bullet went wide of its mark and he
escaped unhurt. He quickened his
already lively pace and In short
time was presumably safe within his
own door, from which he did not
venture again that night.
There is some mystery connected
with the shooting. just what the out.
laws intended is not known. 1t is
likely. however, that they feared the
man they had robbed would In some
manner inform the authorities and they
probably thought that by killing him
they would avoid detection. They may
have thought the man recognized them
or would know them again should
they be arrested, and in order to pre-
vent the production OF such direct
evidence against them In case of
arrest, deemed it to their best interests
to have the man out of the way. But
they did not kill him, and now that he
has recovered from his fright he could
probably be of assistance to the authori-
ties in running own the bandits by
identifying them should he see them
again.
In rslating his experience on the
following day TO George #. Wakenhut,
the Waterman at the crossing where be
was attacked, be described his asssilants
pretty we'll. He stated that they were
both negroes, one being tall and the
other short, and although the night was
rather dark, there we're peculiarities
which he will in all probability re-
member for long time.
He did not know either of the men,
however,, and in his opinion they were
strangers in this community.
The next outbreak of lawlessness
occurred on Monday, the day after the
negro had been held up.
About 4. 20 o'clock in the afternoon,
IL ta1f H. LII
been waylaid, burly negro, about 20
years OF age, stole quietly down the
railroad from the direction of the
Baltimore & Ohio main line, and,
without the slightest warning, drew a
revolver and pressed it against the
breast of Waterman Waksnhut, who
was seated at the Matchbox, flag in
hand, reading the Bible. Mr.. Waken-
hut was in position where he could
see teams approaching from either
direction and also trains running TO or
from Wilmington. He had a few
ing to daily custom, had picked up
his Bible and was scanning its pages.
The black brute approached from
behind the Matchbox, in a direction
that he could not be seen by the
Waterman, and as soon as he had
thrust his revolver at the breast Of the
old gentleman, exclaimed "Out with
your watch ~ At the same tine the
negro attempted to put his left hand
into Mr.. Wakenhut's watch pocket.
Mr.. Wakenhut, who is about 10
years OF age. while he is somewhat
feeble, is courageous, and his first I'M
pulse was to refuse to obey. Although
he was badly frightened and realized
his perilous position. he clutched the
revolver, which was aimed at his
heart, and came very near wrestling
it from the outlaw. But the latter was
too strong for the old gentleman, and
as soon as he saw that. be was over
powered, he began to reach for his
watch, with the intention of handing
it to the negro. At the same time the
latter caught hold of the chain and
gave it a Jerk, breaking ii III four
pieces and the watch fell to the floor
OF the platform. The negro quickly
pocketed the timepiece, and, without
removing his pistol from Mr.. Waken-
hut's breast. demanded his pocket
book.
Knowing that it would be useless to
resist, the old gentleman produced his
wallet, which contained rs cents. some
papers and key. The brute snatched
the pocketook from the owners hand,
and when the latter requested the re-
turn OF the papers and key which it
contained, tho thief departed saying
that he would attend to the papers
and key. ~&t
The negro started on a run through