Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-03-19
The Great Railroad Robbery.

WHICH tne iohS nysteiious IoooCiiCo, oh 1hS
Pittsburg. Fort Wayne g. Chicago road
were detected ard the perpetrators arrested.
We heve before said, that the plan adopted
by officer Pinkert IN, to have conclusive proof
of guilt when he should get the thieves in
his clutches, was by sending quantity of
goods over the road, every article of which
he had marked. We make some extracts
from the account in the Gazette:
An old member of the gang. named Par
ker who had been arrested and imprisoned
at Norwalk, on a charge of horse-stealing,
and had been deserted BY his former sssoci-
ates, was anxious for revenge. He, there
fore, wrote to one of the officers OF the
company requesting an interview, and stat
ing that he had matters of importance to
communicate. The information thus OBJ
tanned was conveyed to Pinkerton & Co.,
and comparison Of it with the intelligence
of which they we're already possessed, con-
v:nced them of its general correctness.
With the most of the gang,
the money derived from the sale of their
plunder was speedily dissipated. Women
and liquor. the two great luxuries OF that
class. were freely INDUCED in. The past
fall had been particularly favorable, and
thousands of dollars worth of goods of al
most every description had been taken from
the Company. As is generally the case in
such associations, the greatest profit accured
to those who did the least work. Parker
complained ,of the niggardliress of one OF
their 'fences' at Orville. He stated that
this man was in the habit of buying the
goods from the boys and giving them what
ever he pleased for them. Knowing that he
had them in bis power, he used that knowl-
edge to advantage, and drove most profit.
able business.
S'rong in numbers, and rendered more
daring by career Of success almost un-
prece tented, instances have been known of
! some OF the gang going boldly, in the even
ing. to car and deliberately opening it,
and taking out valuable goods, placing them
in buggy, brought with them for the pur-
pose, and then leaving unmolested. This
was done in the immediate neighborhood
Of Massillon. at 8 O'Clock in the evening,
and when the light from the iron furnaces
at that place made the vicinity as bright as
day. Having asceriained in
what car they would find goods of value one
of the gang would gain entrance into it if
possible at some station; if that could not
be done, after the train got under way
Selecting such boxes as suited his fancy, he
would wait until the train had reached some
point where others were stationed to secure
what he would throw out. He would then
throw out the goods which he had selecte d,
and leaving the car, would assist in con-
cealing them. Knowing that it would be
the safer plan they always selected such
goods as were intended to pass over the
entire length of the road, or, if such could
be found. those which were to be forwarded
to points on the other roads. In this way
the depredat ions would not be discovered
until it was too late to be able to ascertain
where or by whom they have been commit
ted -
A long and minute accoun mt is given of
the several arrests of the suspected thieves,
beginning on the night of February 26th,
at Massillon, there arresting brakesman
named Dill, and finding the marked goods
| in his possession.
"a special train had been prepare for the
occasion. Getting on board this they went
on to Orrville, where they arrived at about
midnight. Proceeding first to the honse
occupied by Arthur Cooper, they demanded
and obtained aGmittance. Arthur was ar
rested, and search made for stolen pro.
perty.
| Charles Cooper. brother of Arthur. was
| also taken into custody. In portion of
the same house there lives .one of the con-
stables of the township. s.named Matthew
Taggart. He has been for long time act
| ing as 'fencer' of the booty obtained from
the Railroad Company and elsewhere. His
official position and his reputation for honesty
IN :he community. had enabled him to carry
on his branch Of the business without excit-
ing suspicion, and with impunity.
'It was with some considerable difficulty
that the officers could succeed in arousing
Taggart. When they~~had done so, he en-
deavored to put them off in various ways,
and detained them until. becoming inpatient
they forced the door. Mr. Taggart was very
indignant al the charges alleged against
him. The majesty Of the law was nsulteG
in his person by the outrage of arrest. He
spoke in glowing terms of his unblemished
reputation as an officer and citizen; of his
responsibility, and Of the previous tenor of
his life; denied most emphatically the truth
of any and all the charges made against
him, and introduced his position as a mem
Der OF church as an argument against his
guilt. 1t was however unavailing. He was
placed in custody. As last request, be-
fore leaving the house, he besought the Of
fcers to allow him to take his Bible and
prayer-book with him. So moderate de-
sire was of course gratified.
among the worthy citizens of the town
of Orvlle is physician, DR.. A Miller,
whose movements had excited suspicion in
the minds of Pinkerton & Co., and for
whose apprehension a warrant had been
issued.
Mrs. Miller, who answered the summons
informed the party that her husband had
gone to visit a patient. With that want of
gallantry which we believe characterizes
such persons on such occasions, the officers
refused to be satisfied with her explana-
tions. They searched the house and found
mot the Doctor, but his hat, coat and boots
which indnce them to believe that Mrs
Miller had been mistaken, or that the case
to which he had been .aled was very
urgent one. A further examination result
ed in the discovery of sundry articles, por-
tions of the goods which had been SO care
fully marked.
.'It remained now, to complete the arrests
to secure the persons Of several of a more
western portion of the road. Accordingly,
an extra car and engine was provided, and
they left for Bucyrus, arriving there late in
the night. On going toIthe American House
three more Ewere arrested; William Ray