Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-04-13
SLUNGSHOT ROBBERY Y-FELONY
RAMPANT.

From the Ne'y Orleans Picayunc, lGth.l
On Saturday night, as Judge John Liv-
ingston, Of this city, was stepping into the
car on Canal street, two men ran against him,
and he felt quick, sharp blow on the fore
head which slightly stunned him. As soon
as he recovered from the momentary effect
of this blow, he felt his pocket and discover
cd his porte-monnae and watch were gone.
Thereupon the Judge started rapidly in pur-
suit Of the scoundrels, and succeeded in cap
turing one of them and conducting him to
the police office, where he was identified as
a well known thief and rutlian.
Not many days ago another respectable
citizens, who resides in the upper part of
the First District, which is generally regard
ed as the safest and most peaceful part of our
city, was on his way home and had got out
of the cars within half square of his mouse,
when he was suddenly struck with a slung-
shot and laid PROSTATE and senseless. The
gentleman lay some minutes 0n the ban
quette in his senseless state, and on recover
ing consciousness. discovered that an ex-
ceedinglv valuable watch, his porte-monnaie,
containing S400, and his sleeve buttons were
gone. His blow was severe one, and he
wore the effects of il for some time after.
at night for the purposes of robbery, in
some Of which the victims, from a false del
icacv, have refused 70 give the information
that might assist the police to trace up and
discover the villains who appear to have
organized in this city regular system Of
slungshotting for the purpose of robbery.
The cases Of Judge Livingston and Of the
other citizen referred TO, are so similar in
III IL of 4fN
feature of the strategy of these midnight
assassins. Both these gentlemen had Just
left their clubs at the usual hour at which
gentlemen who live some distance off are in
the habit of going home. The robbers APP
pear TO have lain in wait, doubtless watch
ing around the doors Of the clubs-nearly
all our social clubs are on Canal street-and
seeing lonely citizens leaving for home, they
find very favorable opportunities for the ex-
ecution of their villainous designs. The
street cars may be used to favor their plan.
Crowding in with other passengers, they
have only 20 survey the passengers within,
select their victim, some one whose appear
ance gives hope Of a rich prize, and observ-
ING when he gets ont, follow him, and by an
adroit use of the slungshot, PROSTATE him
senselcSs and then rob him.
~
and ielons who infest this city, and imperil
the life and property Of our citizens. II
vigorous, prompt and efficient measures are
not taken to discover and capture and pun
ish the villains we shall he in a sad state of
insecurity. The most valuable and impor-
tant object and consideration for which we
are heavily taxed, will be denied to us.
The events Of the late war opened our
] penitentiaries, our prisons and our work
I houses. The several hundreds of incurable
felons, thieves and lunatics, who were CON
fined within their walls, were let loose 10
enjoy freedom which, with the greater
portion Of them, is a mere license for crime.
/ Many of the escaped felons are daily seen
in our city, with no visible means of honest
/ livelihood. The vigor and stringency Of
military rule restrained them during the
war, but with the return Of civil admins
tration Of police, they resumed their past
| deeds. There are scores Of them, and Of
imported graduates in crime from other
cities, even from the old world, now IN our
city. These facts, and the instances of their
violence and audacity in the perpetuGtion Of
crime, ough; 70 admonish our authorities Of
the necessity of proceeding, with tho great
est promptitude, 10 the thorough onsaniEa-
lion and disciple Of our city police.