The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-05-18

A THIEF CAUGHT.-For some weeks past
shoe dealer in Davenport has nistrusted
that somebody was robbing him. He procur-
ed the assistance of the police and watched
for developments. Yesterday morning 1.-THE
l7th) II boxes of goods were discovered at
the Office of the Northern Line Co., marked
81. G. Walk, Hannibal, Mo-" These boxes
had been left for shipment by man who
called his name Charles Pancoast, and who
had been, for year and half, q resident of
Davenport, and from his appearance was sup
posed to be wealthy individual, living on
his income He was we'll treated and well
received, everywhere. He shipped these
boxes on the steamer New Boston, and the
boat, soon after, came to this side of the river.
Pancoast probably got wind that he was mis-
trusted by the Davenport officers, as he imme-
diately took three more boxes and two trunks
ON board the ferry boat and started for this
side. On the way over, he seemed anxious
and questioned the ferryman to known if he
could get over in time to 90 on the New Bos-
ton. The ferryman said he thought not, as
he had heard that the New Boston was going
back TO Davenport to put off some stolen
goods. This showed Pancoast the danger he
was in, and he then set to work to get away
with the balance of his plumber. He found
farmers boy, with wagon, on the ferry
boat, and engaged him ''to take his boxes up
town." Some strangers, on the boat helped
him load them and off they went. They
stopped at bakery, just below the court
house, and Pancoast went in and asked IT he
could leave some boxes there few minutes.
Permission being given he unloaded his box
90, and turning to the boy, said, Didn't the
other man pay your" The boy said ''no." p
Pancoast said: 81 thought he paid you-how
much is it," The boy answered fifty cents"
received the money and left. Pancoast Inn
mediately started down town on foot; went
to the river mot far from the pillow factory and
engaged some boys to take him across the
river in skiff; then went and got an old
man, named Harson, to take his team and
haul the boxes down. Pancoast and Harson
came ND to the bakerey and got the boxes
and, both riding in the same wagon, started
down town.
In the meantime the Davenport officers
had followed Pancoast to this side and pro-
CURED the assistance of City Marshal Under
wood, who Immediately sent out the police in
ell directions to catch Pancoast. Policeman
Charles Engel, with Il. W. Mitchell. of Dav.
export, started down town and overhauld Mr..
Harson, Pancoast and the boxes opposite La
fayette Square. Pancoast jumped and ran for
the river, followed by Mitchell and Engel.-I
He was finally taken by Policeman Engel
aud the parties started up town, meeting
City Marshal Underwood who took him to
our Jail and searched him, taking from him
the sum of S605, in money. He was after
wards taken to Davenport for trial.
The goods were all returned to Davenport,
and it was found that he had about $4,000
worth of boots, shoes, books, stationary, furs,
jewelry silver ware, clothing, revenue stamps,
&c. &c., all which he had probably stolen,
little by little, and packed for shipment to
some other point, where he could sell them.
Most of the goods have been Unidentified by
Davenport merchants.
In their haste to catch Paneoast, Mitchell
and Engel jumped from the buggy and for
got to hitch the horse. The horse ran of,
smashed the buggy and made nice little
bill of about q hundred dollars for Mr.. Mitch
ell to pay. The team was from Dimick's sta.