The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-05-12
Bipneer 4 9suI'otrat
The ROBBERY AND ATTEMPTED
MURDER.
ARREST OF THE CRIMINALS.
FULL PARTICULARS.

AASvSS~~-
FULL PARTICULARS.
Our readers who were shocked Friday al
reading Of the bold robbery and attempted
murder of Mr.. N. B. Heitz, an old and decripl'
citizen will be grati6ed to learn that the daring
villains who attempted the crime have been
arrested.
Within few moments after the occurrence
Chief Turnbull and Captain Heck were on the
SPOT. The only clue to the perpetrators OF
this hold outrage that the Chief could obtain
was the simple statement by person who
caupht glance at the fleeing rofians, that one
of them was dressed in soldiers clothes. with
this slight clue, Chief Trumbull set to work
vigorously to trace the scoundrels.
He Immediately applied to Capt. Palmer, IN
charge of the Draft Rendezvous OF this city,
for assistance, and Capt Palmer, with apromp-
titude worthy of all praise, Immediately placed
at his disposal sergeant and five men. These
men Chief Turnbull dispatched with all speed
to Fort Smelling, with note to Colonel Nor
gan and Major Rice stating his suspicious and
requesting them to take steps for the arrest of
any suspected party who might return to the
Fort. This party made such rapid time that
when they arrived at the Ferry, the boat was
lust returning from ferrying one of the crimi.
nails over. They repaired at once to Col. Nor
gan and Major Rice, who at the request OF
Chief Turnbull, contained in his note, turned
ont the entire force at the Fort for roll call,
noted those absent, and doubled the sentinels
at every approach to the Fort. In the mean
time one of the parties to the crime had arrived
at the Fort, was placed under arrest, on sps-
piciou, and the carriage sent back to Saint
Paul for Chief Turnbull, who in the
meantime had been, accompanied by Captain
Heck, taking such steps as would lead to the
arrest of parties if to be found in the city.
Leaving instructions for Capt. Heck, he at
once proceeded to the Fort, where he arrived
about A. NJ, and confronting the person un-
der arrest, he said swell, you have given me
a longer chase than your accomplice." What
do you mean ?" said the prisoner. "Oh!" an
swered the chief, that thing is played out;
the next time you undertake such job you
had better select some one who wont blow on
you. Curley has disclosed all about it." This
was mere strategy on the part of Chief Turn
bull, for as yet he was entirely without evil
dence by which to arres. any one. The ruse
succeeded and the fellow at once owned up.
and laid the blame on his companion in crime.
This confession satisfied the chief that he had
struck the right track. Obtaining authority
from COL Morgan, he at once arrested his man
and fastened back to the city, arriving about
Ga. NJ During his absence Capt. Heck had
not been idle, and about the same time of the
chiefs return he had Gagged his man.
The two men under arrest for this daring
deed are John Chennick, alias "Curley," and
Benjamin T. Dayton.
Chennick is a well known character in st.
Paul. He was arrested, convicted and SEN
fenced to Saltwater for one year, for the rob.
berry of an old man named Mcdonald, from
shakopee, on Jackson street, in this city, in
1868. At the expiration of his term he went,
according to his own story, to Missouri and
Kansas, and returned to st. Paul and enlisted
last February in the 10th regiment, but had not
been assigned to any company. He was among
the men at Fort Smelling who were to be mus
tered out of service in few days. He inform
ed Us yesterday that he was born in England
removed to Canada when about IL years old,
broke out. He is about % years of age, has
an Unlocking countenance, which is not i'm.
proved by being deeply SCARED with marks of
the small pox from which he has just recover
ed, When arrested he denied all knowledge of
the crime, but his manner and the appearance
of his clothing, spotted in number of places
with blood, the traces of which he had evil
IDENTIFY tried to obliterate, gave the lie to his
denials. He was arrested at the Hotel of the
Wild Hunter, on jackson street, and asked
no questions as to what the charge against him
was. and although counseled several times by
Can't. Heck to confess, he did not for long
time exhibit any curiosity to know what offence
he was arrested for.
His accomplice, Benjamin F. Dayton, is a
young man about twenty-six years old, rather
fine looking, with frank, honest appearance
at first sight. He belongs to the Veteran Re
serve Corps. We called on him at the Jail yes
terday and he, frankly gave US the following
statement: ~, "a
Ny name Is B. F. Dayton. belong to thu
Veteran Reserve Corps. I served four year
in the 4th and 2Sd Wisconsin, when wa
transferred. have father and mother living
in jefferson county. I came down on thu
stage from the. Fort on Wednesday and in the
stage met Mr.. John Chinnick. We arrived IL
st. Paul and during the day drank frequently
We took supper in company with young mar
named Hubbard, and after supper strolled ny
Third street. stopping at several saloons ani
drinking until got very drunk. When op
posite the house where Heitz roomed, Chin
nick said "Let MS 60 across the street and q