The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1867-11-16
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auction fcons q ~ HetcAAissl Vhess 10 vas
about "a BE- sold.., TIE thief Wa conveyed to
Flushing yestsrday afsAfnoon, and had partial
assin oon1sssed TO Stealing the animal. The
horse had four white hooA, which the thief had
painted black in order 10 conceal him from iden-
LITIGATION il possible. Through the arrest comes
TO light one Of the most important cases that has
ever before been discovered in any part Of Queens
county. In the village OF Little Neck is neat
little religious edifce, an Episcopal church, and
in the garnet OF it nestled gang of burglars and
thieves, about five in number, and who, it is
alleged, have been there concealed, for the past
two or three years, and who, it is conceded, have
been the ones that committed the many depreda-
tions in their community Of late. In this garrett
the proceeds of many nights labor has been
concealed Here the gang actually lived, did
their cooking and the like, without the slightest
interruption from anybody. In this attic were
found articles OF almost every denomination
solid silverware, plated tea sets, coffee urns,
teapots, oliver pitchers, carpets, guns, pistols,
swords, pots, hardware, and even groceries. It
will be remembered that a short time since the
public schools were broken into throughout the
county, and books, inkstan6, &C., carried off
these same things have been found the churches
were robbed of their carpets and cushions, and
these, too, have here been found, together with
the carpets and cushions stolen from the church
in which they chose to make their headquarters.
They have lived here q long time, and have many
a Sunday sat looking down upon the congrega-
ton as the Rev. Mr.. Bears was explaining the
bible, and while he was composing his sermon
during the week. 1t is still more remarkable
how they succeeded in entering the church 30
often during wet and stormy nights without
leaving some tracks which would indicate their
situation. young man named Alfred Town
send has been arrested upon suspicion of being
accessory TO the robberies, and the detectives are
now upon the track of others who are the lead
ing parties in the affair. The church was pre-
sented short time ago with new organ, the
one which they then used being out of order, and
1t was abandoned and the new instrument erec-
ted. When but few weeks in the church the
back was taken out and the pipes and bellows
carried up stairs, where they were used for the
purpose Of melting the stolen silver. This act
was charged against New York thieves, as were
all the others. In this same place were found
stoves and everything necessary for their use.
The amount of goods 'dicovered will amount to
el5 5000, and from present indications there are
chances of ferreting out similar dens OF depreda-
tors. The prisoners were committed to Jail, to
be brought forward when the remainder of the
band are arrested. knight is willing to turn
states evidence, under the thought that it will
free him from punishment for either crime; and
Townsend is said not to have been connected
with them for months past, but is willing to
testify against the parties in hopes of getting
free himself. Here the case rests for the present
1t has created more excitement on Long Island
than any previous occurrence, including the re-
cent murders. The people came to Flushing
from every town in the county to get view Of
the articles and the ingenious men who have
been 40 expert in their business. In the loft of
the church were found various letters which had
been commenced, but not suiting the composer,
were thrown around carelessly. One or two of
then are evidently in tho handwriting of the
female akH@ga