The southern press., 1851-04-26
From Al Ntw York A1ssid.
INCREDIBLE NARRATIVE.

From Il Ntw YeYk Hsssld
ALMo3r INCREDIBLE NARRATIvH.
Moa Extraordinary Criminal Organization Al
The West-Arrsa Of an Extensive Gang Of
Desperate Men in Michigan--Ouer Thirty
Justice Of the Peace, Doctors, Judges, Con-
stables, and others, in Prison, DC, DC, dc.
DETROIT, April -, 1851
The Detroit Tribune of the 2lst, contains the
following extraordinary narrative. 1t is almost
too strange to believe
We briefly announced on Saturday, the arrest
of a gang of men in Jackson county, who were
organized for the most nefarious purposes that
deprnvity could suggest. Our readers will re-
member that, for the last year or two, the Cen
trail Railroad Company have been cons s'anty an
noyed along their line, by persons whose sole
occupation seemed to be placing obstructions
on the road, and otherwise destroying the pro-
perty of the company. At one time, so syste-
matte had their work of destruction become,
that the railroad company were induced to en-
ploy couple of shrewd persons whose duty it
should be to travel along to line, and detect the
offenders but so well organized were the band,
that for eighteen months they eluded the most
perseyering Inquiries. Some four weeks ago.
however, one OF the persons employed by the
company, obtained an inkling of the organiza-
ton, and by adroit management succeeded in
worming himself into the confidence of the ini
tiated but before they would trust him to any
considerable extent, it was required as a proof
of his allegiance, that he should fire the depot at
Niles, on certain night, pro1ided it was not
previously done by an individual from this city,
who was to be sent on for that purpose. The
night came, and to ward off suspicion or betrayal,
as we'll rs to secure full confidence of the ging,
the depot was fired-all necessary 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 fortunately discovered in time to
prevent it's destruction, at once gave to the new
recruit the fullest confidence of the gang, and he
was forthwith admitted to the most secret cOun-
ellis of the leading desperadoes. Counterfeiting,
horse stealing, incendiarsm, burglary, robbery,
and the smallest petty larceny, were the swsrn
objects Of this monstrous organization. Que of
their designs was to blow up the track and cars
by an ingeniously con,rived torpedo, SO arranged
as to be fred by 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 thirty or forty Of the
conspirators, and their places of residence, con-
fined principally to Leona, Centre, Jackson,
Michigan, and to this city. Before plans had
been matured for Their arrest, the notorious Joe
Dows, who, it is said, was the general of the
concern, was taken from this city to Pittsburgh,
on a requisition of the governor of Pennsylvania,
and the management of the gang devolved upon
a fellow calling himself O. d. Williams then in
this city, but resident Of the State ofNew York.
This person. it is ascertaincd, was to leave De-
troit for Buffalo on Thursday night ard as his
arrest at that time would be the signal for a
general dispersion of his accompces, it was
determined to let him proceed, while an officer,
furnished with the requisite papers, should ac-
company him, and make the arrest during the
passage, thus giving time to perfect capture of
his c, mpanions in this State. The arrest was
made by VIM. Fl. Goodnow, Of the Custom
House, who was acting as.United States mar
sha', and Williams was brought back to De-
trot OH Saturday night, under escort Of that off,
Ger.
On his way up, Williams requested officer
Goodnow to mail for him letter at Detroit, as
soon as he should get there. This, when they
got to the prison, Mr.. G. consented to do, but
received a reply that it WAS not then necessary,
as the gentleman to whom he had written had
also become an inmate under the same roof
O1 UIDHi, Lil' tlU]t lb uuu uttU dEIttu On
to make the arrests in the interior, an extra train
of cars was sent out from this city, with Il large
number of officers and assistants, engaged for
the occasion and such were the arrangements
made and carried out, by leaving squads along
the line, that at Leona, Michigan, Centre, and
Jackson, thirty-three men were arrested stimuli.
taneousy about daybreak on Saturday morning.
and brought in and lodged in jail on Saturday
afternoon. Among the prisoners arrested, are
three justices of the peace, five men called doc.
tors, one Judge, and four constables--the latter
belonging TO the township Of Leona-not an
officer of which, from supervisor down to post
master, but is said to be implicated. The fol-
lowing is n list Of the persons arrested DIR.
Fitch, Alonzo Holmes j r. Blackburn, Harry
Wakeman, Erastus Chapman, VIM. Chapman,
Henry Spaws, Jacob Turri Wecom HILL John
Palmer Eli Babby, Daniel Myers, L. L. Notion
Greenson Fillen, WIN. W. Long, Ebenezcr
Mount. A. Il. Barret, T. Tiup, Hiram Hay, Ma
than Cradit, John +. Lockwood, f.. Rice, L.
Champln, James Champlm, l.. b. Long. A. J.
Quin, Minot Laycox, VIM. Corwin, Il. ID. Farm
ham, VIM Warner, John Acke'son, Lester PEN
field, Minor r. Stone, Judge Burnett
In this city, Washington Gay and Erastus
Smith were arrested on Saturday, and in the
house of the former were found variety Of
implements for burning buildings, and so con-
structed as to burn one hour, or three days. be-
fore setting fire to the building. BY ore of
these machines it has been discovered that the
depot Of this city was fired last fall, which re-
suited in the loss of one hundred thousand dol
lars worth of property.
The arrests were made on writ from the
United States Court. for stopping the mail, and
for counterfeitug United States coin, and the
prisoners will probably be detained until the
next session OF the District Court
INSECTS DESTRUCTIVE TO PEACH TEEEs.-
Among other things which blight the prospects