Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1900-10-18
John HUGHES
WONDERFUL NERVE.
GRADES his Winchester while Covered by a
Theft and Kills Him.


One of the most daring attempts at
robbery ever made in this section, oc-
Cured at Cambria. about five miles from
Benton, shortly after midnight Tues
day.
Owing to the wonderful display of
courage shown by young man by the
name of John Hughes of that place, a
repetition of the Benton robbery of
Monday would have occurred. Asit was
the robbers were frightened away and
one of their number killed.
According to facts secured by the
AMERICAN last evening, the story
of the attempted robbery and its ending
is not only sensational but interesting.
Owing to the numerous thefts that have
occurred in that neighborhood during
the past few days, Mr.. Hazlet, who is
proprietor of the general store in that
place, asked young Hughes to watch his
place Tuesday night. After sitting up
for some time, Hughes decided to take
rest behind the counter. He had
taken his position when he heard
the foot steps of some one in the
store. While he was listening man
reached around the end of the counter
and flashed dark lantern in his face,at
the same time showing the muZzle of
revolver under his nose, and asking him
what he was doing there. Hughes nerve
remained with him and he informed the
marauder that he was there to watch
the store. While he was explaining his
presence, Hughes reached for his Win
chester which was at his side, and tax
ing desperate chances he brought it to
his shoulder and fired point blank four
times at the man in front of him. The
man uttered yell and started for the
door, but he had only proceeded about
one hundred yards when he fell to the
ground, dead. Hughes gave the alarm
and in company with some neighbors
went to the side of the fallen man.
Examination developed the fact that
one bullet had entered the left arm and
pierced the heart, coming out through
the back of the man. The features of
the dead man were strange and no one
was able to identify him. There was
nothing in his clothes that would give
any clew as to his identity and the re-
mains were taken to the Christian
church,
The man was probably 55 years of age,
of good appearance and well dressed.
On his feet were shoes of the latest style.
He wore a neat black moustache and on
his clothes were found gold watch and
revolver, the property of Smith, Math-
er & Co., of Benton, the place that had
been robbed Monday night.
Mr.. Bryan hopes to catch some votes
by passing as an enthusiastic Ameri-
can. Yet this man, who makes such
eloquent appeals to national spirit and
patriotism, has been lifelong advocate
of the policy of giving work to foreign
ers rather than American workmen.
He is on record as being opposed to
any measure of Protection to any Am
erican industry. He would admit to
this country free Of duty the wool of
Australia and Of South America to
ruin the wool growers Of the west. He
would allow free entry to the tin plate
of Wales and to the wines and silks of
France. He would throw open our
market to the manufacturers of Eng |
land and would make this country, as
George III and his advisers tried to
make it before the days of rs, indus
trially dependent on the mother coun-
try. Of his devotion to the policy OF
Free Trade, however, there is no doubt,
and there is no doubt, either, but that
his election to the Presidency would
mean the closing up of American mills
and, in consequence, more business for
the mills of England and of other
countries. If to be true American
means to have American interests at
heart, then Mr.. Bryan is as thoroughly
un-American as any man in the coun-
try,