Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-05-01
A Gang Of VILLAINS Broken Up.
DETRorT, Tuesday, Apnl %.

The arrest Of gang Of men in jackson
County, who were organized for the most
nefarious purposes that depravity could
suggest. Cur readers will remember
that f,r the last two years the Central
+ ssroad Company have been constant
Eronnoved along their line. by persons
Erybose sole occupation seemed to be IN
I,ac;no instructions on the Road, and
Otherwise destroying the property of the
Comnany. At one time, so systematic
~ Their work of destruction become,
That the Railroad Company were indus
ced to employ couple OF shrewd per,
CONS whose duty it should be to travel
oIonr the line and detect the Offenders,
mt 80 we'll organized we're the band that
ior eighteen months they eIuded the
most persevering inquiries. Some few
weeks ago one of the persons employed
bv the Company obtained an inklins OF
the organization, and by adroil manage
ment Succeeded in worming himself in
n the confidence of the initiated; but
before they would trust him to any con
siderable extent, it was required as a
proof of his allegiance, that he should |
fire the depot at Niles on a certain night,
provided it was not previously done by
an individual from this city, who was TOD
he sent on for that purpose. The night
came. and to ward off suspicion or be- |
e traval. as we'll as to secure full condolences
Of the gang, the depot was hred-ali ne :
cessary precautions, however, having been
made to avert any serious damage to-
buildings. The news that the depot at
Niles had been set on fire, but fortunate
" discovered in time to prevent It's de-
struction, at once gave to the new re-
scfuuit the fullest confidence OF the gang,
and he was forthwith admitted to the
most secret counsels Of the leading des-
tneradoes. Counterfeiting. horse steal,
inc. incendiarism, burglary, robbery, and
the smallest petty larceny, were the sworn
objects of this monstrous organization.
One of their designs was to blow up the
track and cars by an ingeniously contr.
we'd torpedo, SO arranged as TO be fired
;bv the locomotive, and explode while the
passenger cars should be over it. The
informant continued to act with them
until he had procured the names OF 80
or 40 of the conspirators, and their pla-
ices of residence, confined principally to
Leona, Center. Jackson, Michigan and to
this city. Before plans had been matu>
red for their arrest, the NOTORIOUS Joe
Dows-who, il is said, was the general
of the conc srn-was taken from the city
to Pittsburgh, on requisition Of the Co
vernon of Pennsylvania, aud the manage
ment of the gang devolved upon fell
low calling himself o. D. Williams. then
in this city, but a resident OF New York.
This person, it is ascertalned, was 10
leave Detroit for Buffalo on Thursday
night and as his arrest at that time
would be the signal for general disper-
sion of his accomplices, it was determln
ed to let him proceed, while an, officer
furnished with the requisite papsfsshould
accompany him, and make the arrest du-
ring the passage, thus giving time to per-
feet capture of his companions In tins
State. That arrest was made by VIM.
H. Goodnow, of the Custom House. who
was acting as United States Marshal, and
Williams was brought back to Detro't on
Saturday night. under escort OF that Of
icer. On his way up, Williams requests
ed officer Goodnow to mail for him let
ter at Detroit, as soon as he should get
therc. This, when they got to the pri-
son. Mr.. G. consented to do, but receive
ed a reply that it was not then necessary
as the gentleman to whom he had wrt>
ten had also become an inmate under the
same roof. On Friday night, the time it
had been agreed to make the arrests in
The interior, an extra train of cars was
.ent from this city with large number
of officers and assistants engaged for the
occasion and such was the arrangements
made and carried out, by leaving squad
along the line, that at Leona, Michigan.
Center and jackson, SO men were ar
rested simultaneously about daybreak o..
Saturday morning, and brought in and
lodged in Jail on Saturday, 2. N. Among
the prisoners arrested are three Justices
of the Peace, Eve men called Doctors,
one Judge. and four Constables-the
latter belonging to the township OF Le-
sona, not an officer of which from Super
visor down to Postmaster, but is said TO
he implicated. The following is list OF
the persons arrested: ...
DR.. Fitch, Alonzo Holmes, J. R. Black
burn, Harry Wakeman, Erastus Chap
man. William Chapman, Henry SPANS.
Jacob Turrill. Walcom Hill. John Pal>
mer, Eli Baby, Daniel Myers. E. L.
Melton, Greenson Fillen, VIM. w. Long.
.Ebenezer Mount, 4. +. Rarret, E. Tlllup.
Hiram Hay. Nathan Cradit. John 4.
Lockwood, E. Rice. L. Champlin. james
Champlin. I. B. Long. a. J: GUN. M'not
Laycox. VIM. Corwin, E. D. Farnnam,
AVN. Warner, John Ackerson. Lester
Pen6sld, Minor r. Stone, Judge Burnet
In this city. Washington Gay. and E!as
lns Smith, were arrested on Saturday
.1N - 1LnS s..s.' = g. ~ fornnar Wnrs