Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1851-04-28
rho Great haul OF Miehigan Rascals.

| o
men charged with being connected with the
burning of the Railroad Depot in Detroit,
tearing up Railroad tracks, and endanger.
ling the lives Of pa ssengers, &C., and 9TH
er crimes. The Free Press says one or
Two more arrests have been made, making
some 81 in all in Jail. Mr.. Burnett, one
of the arrested in Detroit, it is said came in
10 offer bail and counsel to those already
under arrest. The Tribune gives The fol-
lowing particulars Of the breaking up ot
this mos, extraordinary gang of despera-
does:
Our readers will remember that for the
| last year or two, the Central Railroad Com
pany have been constantly annoyed along
their line by persons whose sole occupation
seemed 10 be in placing distractions on the
road, tearing up the track, and otherwise
destroying the property Of the Company.
At one time, so systematic had the work Of
destruction besome that the Railroad COM
pany were induced to employ couple Of
shrewd individuals whose duty it was 10
travel along the line, and if possible de-
lect the offenders; but so we'll organized,
were the band, that for eighteen months
they eluded the most perseyering efforts Of
dete ctioD. e-1F
Some four weeks ago, however, one OF
these persons employed by The company,
obtained an inkling of the organization, and
by adrolt management succeeded in worm
ing himself into the confidence Of the inl-
,iated--but, before thew could trus' him 10
any considerable extent, it was required as
proof of his allegiance, that he should
fire the Depot al Niles on certain night,
provided it was not previously done by an
individual from the city, who was sent on
for tha, purpose. The night came, when
the burning was to be effected, and to ward
off suspicion Of betrayal, as we'll as to Sc
cure the full confidence Of the gang. The
Depot was fired-all necessary precautions
however, having been made TO AVOID any
serious damage TO the building. The news
that the Depot al Niles had been set on FIRE,
but fortunately discovered in time 10 pre-
vent lis destruction, at once gave 10 the
new. recruit the fullest confidence Of the
gang, and he was forthwith admitted to the
most secret councils Of the leading desper-
ADDE'S. Here was obtained the most START
ling information ever concoeted bv banded
ruffians-no species of crime, no ingenui-
ty of plan, no want of means for their he'll
lish purpose, were left unknown. Coun-
terfeiling, horse-s,ealing, incendiarism,
burglary, robbery, and the smallest petty
larceny, 10 say nothing of other diabolical
intentions, were the sworn oolects Of This
monstrous organization. So hardened and
lost to every conscientious feeling we're
these associates, that one Of their recent
hellish designs was TO blow up the track
and cars, by an ingeniously contriveG Tor
psdo, which was so nrraigned as 10 be ig-
nited by the locomotive, and explode while
the passenger cars should be over it, and
thus destroy the lives Of unofending pas.
sengers. The informant continued TO act
with them until he had procured the names
of some thirty or forty Of the conspirators,
and their places of residence, confined
principally to Leoni. Michigan Centre.
Jackson, and this city. Before plans,
however had been ma,ured Tor their arrest,
the notorious Joe Dows, who it is now said
was The General OF the concern, was taken
from this city to Pittsburgh, on the requsi-
lion ofsthe Governor OF Pennsylvania. and
The management of the gang devolved up
on fellow calling himselfO. D. Williams,
then in this city. bu: resident Of the State
Of New York. This person it was ascer-
lained was 10 leave Detroit for Buffalo on
Thursday night, and as his arrest at that
time would be the signai for general dis
persion of his accomplices, it was determin-
ed TO let him proceed. while an officer, fur.
nished with The requisite papers. should ae-
company him and make The arrest during
tho passage-lhus giving time 10 perfect
the capture Of his companions in this Stale
That arrest was made by VIM. H. Good
now, Of the Custom House, who was acting
as U: S. Marshal, and Williams was brought
back to Detroit Oh Saturday night, under
the escort of that indefatigable officer, who
deserves naucl, praise for The admirable
manner in which he conducted the arrest.
On his way up, Williams requested officer
Goodnow 10 mail for him letter at De-
trolt, as soon as he should get there. This,
when they got 10 the prison, MIR. G.. con-
sented 70 do, but received reply that it
was not then necessary, as the gentleman
TO whom he had written had also become
an inmate under the same :oof. "
On Frioay night, the time it had been
agreed 10 make the arrests in the interior,
an ezra train of cars was sent out from
this city with large number of officers
and assistants, engaged for the occasion.
and so well were the arrangements made
and carried Out, by leaving squads along
The line. that at Leoni, Michigan Centre,
and Jackson, some thirly-three men were
arrested simultaneously about day break,
on Saturday afternoon. Among the pris-
oners arrested are three Justices of the
Peace, five Physicians, one Judge and four
Conslables-the latter belonging 10 The
township Of Leoni, and not an officer OF
which, from Supervisor down TO Postmaster,
but is said 10 be implicated in the affair.
In this city. Washington Gay and Eras-
tus Smith were arrested on Saturday. and /
in the house Of The former were found
oS r,