The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-25
Arrest OF the Notorious Burglar, Rock.
we'll.

to arrest the burglar ROCKWELL, alias ROUSE
at Hudson, New York. JAMES and LOWELL
were the detective officers engaged in this
skillfully planned operation. The way one
OF the officers played "possum" on "a pious
widow lady, at Schenectady, illustrates the
curious DISCUSSES to which police officer
feels necessitated to resort. 1t h by no
means certain that Rockwell is drowned.
1t is true he jumped into the Hudson river
apparently handcufed, but his hands may
have worked loose. We should not be sur.
prised if he turned up alive.
They proceeded at once to Chelsea, Bos-
ton, New York city, Williamsburg, Jersey
City, striking his trail at every poirt. At
the last named place they lost all track of
hun, as he had moved away, and no one
seemed to know where he had gone. James
remained there while Lowell proceeded to
Schenectady to gain further information of
the pal, if possible. While Lowell was gone
James ingratiated himself into the good
graces of an old widow lady and her family,
with whom Rouse and his wife had boarded.
James was satisfied that she knew where he
was, and he managed very adroitly to pro-
cure the coveted information. The family
were pious, or professionally so land so James
played pious too, joining in pious converse
tion with them-the better to secure his
ends. In this way he gained their conf
dence, and at last the old lady said she
would tell him where Rouse was, provided
be would agree to suppress her name and
give her certain amount of money The
money was handed over, when she said
Rouse had moved to Hudson, N. Y, and
described the locality. James then tele-
graphed to Lowell at Schenectady to return
to New York at once. The two met there
and came up the river on the steamer Ar
menia, arriving at Hudson at four o'clock
last Saturday morning. First taking
survey of Rouse's dwelling, where he was
living in fine style, they repaired to hotel,
took shave, bath, and good breakfast,
and then laid their plans for his capture.
At the hotel Mr.. James registered his
name as John B. Root, of Harper's Fer
ry," and Mr.. Lowell registered bis Gen.
w. Watson, Harpersport." Many were the
speculations by landlord and guests, as to
the new corners. They supposed they were
refugees from Virginia justice.
Rouse being one of the shrewdest and
most desperate villains in existence, and
having stated repeatedly that be would sooner
die than be taken, they did not deem it ad.
visable to attempt to arrest him at his house.
So they disguised themselves somewhat, and
proceeded to gentemans residence oppos-
lite to Rouse's house, and after first satisfy
ing themselves that all would be safe,
they stated their business, and requested
permission to occupy their parlor to watch
the burglar across the way. The family
very readily assented, saying that if there
was such a character in their midst, they
would be rejoiced to have him out.
The officers then took possession of the
parlor, and renamed there on the watch
from to o'clock, meeting with the kind
est treatment, and being provided with an
excellent dinner meantime.
At about o'clock, Rouse's wife made
her appearance, and walked down street
Lowell followed her at a proper distance.
Shortly after, Rouse, the Z" gam" the officers
had been in pursuit for over two years,
made his appearance and walked down
street also. James pursued him carefully
for several blocks, anxiously looking for
Lowell all the time. At length he discov-
cred him long way ahead-coming up
cross street. He gave him their private
and silent signal, as much as to say, That
is our man-look out for him." Lowell
took the hint, and stepping across the street
came up so as to meet Rouse face to face,
while James graduated his space so that he
should overhaul Rouse at the same time
Lowell should meet him. Nearer and near
or the gap closed, until all three came to-
gether. Now was the time Tor presence of
mind, and the time for action. Lowell
reached his hand out to him, saying, "How
do you do, sir? l think 1 have seen you
somewhere" Taking Lowells extended
hand, be replied, 81 think you must be
mistaken" Lowell held on to Rouse's
hand to give it long shake, when officer
Jones came up, spoke out, saying, How
do you do, Mr.. Revenge? 1 believe that
was what you called yourself in letter to
me-" At this sudden announcement, Rouse
jerked his hand away from Lowell and
made pass for his side-pocket, and at that
instant, just in the nick of time, James
caught him by the arms from behind, and
held him while Lowell put on the hand i.
cuffs, and he was then marched off to Jail.
On being searched, large dirk knife was
found in his side pocket, which Mr.. James
has now at his Office. Besides this, they
found some important memoranda upon his
person, which duplicates certain parties and
may lead to their arrest. H
On their return to search Rouse's house,
they met his wife in the street, who is de-
scribed as very pretty and intelligent
woman. They discovered upon her wrists a
pair of gold bracelets, which they recoy-
missed as having been stolen from Mr.. WEIGH
of Auburn, at the time of the burglary
They were valued at SOS. james told her
he wanted them. She desired to know
why, and said they were present from d
friend. James told her that he knew all
about it, and she had better keep truth or
her SIDE She then took them off and
handed them over to him. They then in
formed her of the predcament her husband
was in, when she seemed excited ani
alarmed. They went with her to the hons'
and proceeded to search it from top to bot
tom. They found trunk full Of silks
supposed to have been stolen from Mr.
Morgan, at Skaneateles. Taking up car
NJ n