The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-16
Band or Robbers In Canada-Extraortlinar
DcveIOpcments.

Developments.
We learn from the Toronto Co,onia that some
thieves belonging to a notorious band OF robbers.
known as the Markham Gang" have been ar
rested, tried, and convicted; and that their arrest is
likely lead to the incarceration OF others, and pos
sibyto the breaking up ofthe gang. The existence
oil this horde ofrobbers first discovered in the
township which has gwen its name to the combi-
nation, but 1t is ascer,ained that their opera
lions extend through the entire province,
from the townships of Lower Canada in
the east 10 the State of Michigan in the west with
branches in the States of Vermont, New York
Illinois, and Iowa. The Colonist says, that the
long mpunity which this association enjoyed
gradually magnified their power, by increasing
alike their numbers and their daring, until they
became terror 10 the communities IN which they
resided the whole country was held in a state of
intimidation. Some OF the magistrates, and con-
stables and Jurors, were alike afraid to do their
duty; and even their victims were deferred from
taking proceedings against the robbers, from the
fear That the greater evil OF fire murder would
be inflicted upon them During the examinations,
many facts, such as the following, disclosed
A country magistrate refused to grant warrant
against B. and J., 1.-TWO OF the most formi-
dable OF the gang,) for breaking into and stealing
goods from shop, on the ground that he was
afraid 10 do so! A constable OF Markham, in
whose hands warrant was placed Tor the appre-
henson of one OF the gang, (now in the penlten-
tiary,) immediately sent private information 10 the
cnlprt that he had the warrant, and would not
execute IT for four or five days, evidently for the
purpose OF giving the man ample time To escape
the rogue, however, more courageous than this
rural Official, refused To run, and sent word to the
constable that he had no fear OF being convicted
He was subsequently brought before the neghbor-
ing magistrates, he burg was proved the priso-
ners identity sworn land The mag straes dlschar-
ged him on ball. an accomplice IN the burglars be-
ing one OF his bail. The cuprit was again advised
run but again sturdily refused, declaring his be-
lief that the jury would not onvict him, and even il
they did, and ithc sh uld be sent to the peniten.
tary, he would soon "get out again on petition"
Contrary 10 hts expectations, however, the prison.
er was convicted-is now in the penitentiary, and
he has not yet "go, out on petition" These, and
other similar facts, sufficiently demonstrate the
influence OF intimidation upon some Of the officers
OF justice IN the country; while it is we'll known
that several OF the gang, who were convicted at
tue late Assizes, openly boosted that had the Jury
been from their part oi the country, they burst
have convicted them. A slngularliy OF this asso-
CATION Is, that the parties to IT all apparently
III fair clrcum -tances, and IN condition OF HE
winch dlvests them of the plea OF necessity for
Their crimes. They are all persons Saving phre-
biological developelnents) oigood appearance, and
as wsl dressed as The generality OF the better class
OF our farming population. Some of them are the
owners OF iaruls; many OF them are the sons OF
ireeholders, strong, able-bodied, well dressed
young men some tavern-keepers; some are
owners or lessees Of saw mills and all of them
are IN condition OF life to be able 10 an hon
estlvelihood. some OF them, since their convic-
ton, have confessed hat they have never had
days good luck" since they joined the gang that
previously they were well off and well Respected,
but that since their own rightu property has gone
TO wreck, white that acquired by dishonest means
was always quickly dlssipated; and that they are
now, even In pecuniary point OF view, in much
worse condition than they would have been had
they pursued an honest career, while their char
acters and their Liberties are sacrificed for their
crimes. From what we have learned of the gang,
we should be disposed to divide them into two
classes-tbe cavalry and the infantry. The for
mer, who are generally mounted on the best horses
in the country, figure only in the higher
branches OF roguery, such as burglary, horse
stealing, and in the wholesale dissemination
of "boode." Doodle being the flash term of
the gang for counterfeit money. To the infan-
Try is delegated the lower order of thievery.-
Some OF this infantry division occasionally
ntrusted with the retailing OF Doodle, winch they
pass off upon the farmers, tavern keepers, SC.
OF the back townships. This they manage with
great dexterty and caution They never carry
more than one bad note about them at time;
having at the same time several good notes. Ii
the note, when offered, should be detected or
suspected, the fellow who offers il, with expires
slons OF surprise, regret, doubt, &c. Immediately
offers good note, and all is right. Or, If the
parties should proceed so far as to have the fellow
searched, all the money about him is good except
this one note, and he is usually discharged. But
If the bad note, when offered, be taken without
ofpersons TO whom such notes usually offer
ed) the fellow gets his change, supplies the
place of the note which he has Just passed with
another from the Doodle bank, and repeats the
experiment somewhere else. There is one pre-.
cautonary measure OF the gang which is never
departed trom-the thieves never take the pro-
perry which they steal home to their own houses.
Hence, search warrants, which have often been
Immediately issued against the premises OF the
right persons, have always failed. Ii the stolen
tlcles are bulky, and not easily removable to dis
lance, they are always taken 10 n hlding-place,
previously prepared, generally in the woods, where
they are Kept I" until the storm blows over"
Articles OF considerable value, and easily remov-
able, such as hoSses, watches, bank notes, which
it is feared may be Identified, &C., often
taken TO Lower Canada, TO the townships OF
Shetlord and Durham, where there is wholesale
establishment for issuing counterfeit money oil all
sorts, and for receiving stolen goods, and where
the stolen articles are disposed OF IN exchange for
Doodle, the of 500 worth Of Doodle for ten
dollars worth OF valuable properly, or for five dol
lars OF bankable paper. This Doodle is brought
back and disposed of at an advance of one or
two hundred per cent TO the small fry Of the
gang, by whom it is put into circulation about
the country. The Doodle, or counterfeit paper,
which is thus put into circulation, is of different
descriptions, but large proportion Oft purports
" New York Safety Funds in small letters being
engraved thereon. The operation" OF horse
stealing is skilfully performed, and IS always done
" III duplicate" The horses TO be stolen, and
Tie places where tney are 10 pc louDu, being pre-
viously well known, the two thieves start sInlul-
taneousy in opposite directions in pursuit OF their
prey; on, perhaps, TO the States, and one to
sonie distant part OF this province. Each obtains
possession OF his horse, and they meet each other
with all possible despatch, al some intermediate
point, where they exchange the stolen horses,
and each returns TO his own neIghbor-
hood on an unknown horse. A very Gu
nous circumstance OF this kind was disclosed dur
ing the recent examinations. Two OF the gang
(wholn we will designate as A. and J.,) agreed 10
steal TWO horses, winch were previously known
to them one Ia the Newc ase District, and one
in the western part OF the province. A. proceed
ed to the latter point, and J. to the former. Each
obtained his horse; A. a fine grey, and j. line
black horse. They then proceeded with all pos