Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-08-19
from the Cincinnati Daily Gazette August n
Two Desperate Rogues Outwitted by a
Detective

Two Desperate Rogues Outwitted by
Detective
For year past the village Of Frankson, Madi-
son county, Indiana has been the scene Of various
depredations and outrages that have kept the
peaceable citizens in alarm, and comDelied them
to keep a strict watch upon their property and
buildings for fear OF fire and robbery. About six
months since the store Of Quick n Murphy was
set on fire and burned to the ground, together with
the contents, involving a loss Of near $4,000
Two men, named John Ravey aud Isaac Sger
we're arrested and convicted Of the arson but sub
seauently were granted a new trial. The venue
was then changed 10 another county, and upon
second trial they were acquitted.
Since that time the village has becn kept con-
stanlv in fear by the commission OF petty outra-
yes Horses tails shaved, hugs were sent
about the streets with one leg or their ears cut
or aud frequently with knives sticking in their
sides.
Mr. VIM Reany, an exdctectye policeman of
this city, consented ~ undertake their detection.
Mr.. Reany laid his plans with caution and pro-
cured thu services of u young man named John
Sneathet, formerly in the employ of the Illinois
Central Railroad. who visited Frankton protested
~ in search Of his brother. and by leading a free
and easy rollicking life for a week two got the
ill-will Of the citizens generally and as he tell IN
their esteem he was taken into the good graces Of
the men whom he had been sent there to CATCH
lie spent his money free, was up to any Little
nanced all their plans.
By getting their confidence, he asccrtaned that
the most Of the depredations had been committed
by two brothers, named Isaac and James Sger.
who acknowledged the arsons and several robbie
ries t. him. and when they proposed to him to rob
the clothing store Of Mr.. Il. \. Anterior, he rea-
div consented. Wednesday night last ii ed
upon for accomplishing the job In the meantime.
detective Reany dressed for the business, and ia
king pair Of tin trunks usually carried by peri
patctic vendors Of notions about the country, load
ed them with Swain pills, adhesive plaster, cough
drops, scratch ointment, and like commodities for
family use, and spent week in the immediate
hci.hhorhood of Fra.hton, disposing Of his medi-
clne-, and keeping II strict watch upun the pro-
gress Of affairs, being posted from time to time by
his confederate. On Wednesday morning. he went
into the village. and pedilcd his wares. and made
himself familiar with the localities and the men
he hal to deal with. No one suspected him to be
other than what he appeared-a pedler of nos
trun,S.
"Wednesday ght the two Siglers, accompanied
l., sncathen entered the store of Mr.. Atherton,
and robbed it Of lot of clo,hngand some money,
principally in silver. The former taken about
half mile beow the town and buried in 4 hollow
log. The next morning the village was in an up
roar in regard to the robbery and search was
made ofsuspocted parties Amongst the first who
underwent this process was the detective himself,
who soon got an opportunity to take constable
Achlnson into another room and explained to him
who he was. and the history Of the plan laid TO
catch the rogucs Reany then went across to a
grocery where the two S,glers and Sneathcn were
sitting aud exposed his medicines for sale. He
was followed by the constable who turned
| the key in the lux, and remarked, Z" There are
| three men in this rcoin hat am going to tie -
The Siglers swore it should not I've done, but the
constable commanded the assistance of The pedler,
who fastened upon one uf hem, and removed from
his bootleg huge bowi'-knile before he had time
to protest or offer muc! resistance. The two
brothers then tied with ropes. and upon
searching them the stolen money was found upon
linn