The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1868-09-02
A DESPERATE GANG.
The Recen Express Robberles- -Impor-
tant Arrests in Toronto.

~ &c" N0y . Sle5O3 III ttIl t1I llClO A6du-
ed ga Shoul of Thieves" we stated
that there were in Canada a number
of the most expert robbers Of the
United States, who had been compel
led to take voyage here in order to
escape punishment for crimes COM
mitted short time ago. We also
stated that several of these fellows
were in our city, and that they were
closely watched by small party of
American detectives, who had been
sent here for that purpose. Though
it was evident of late some important
move was in contemplation on the
part OF the detectives, they left their
intentions to themselves until last
evening, when they created an in
tense excitement and gathered togeth-
er large crowd of persons on King
street, by arresting several suspicious
persons who have been living here
for the last few weeks.
The arrests were made last evening,
shortly before seven o'clock, by sew
several members of the Toronto po-
lice, assisted by the American detec-
tives. The arresting party entered
the Turf Club Hotel on King street,
near Bay, Kept by Messrs. Morton
and Charles Thompson, and at once
proceeded to take into custody all
persons in the house. Morton was
the first man arrested and he at once
shouted murder" three times to the
top of his voice. This the police took
to be Il signal to other parties in the
house that the Philistines were upon
them in the hope that they might
escape. The doors and windows were
therefore Immediately guarded, and
no one was allowed either to enter or
depart. The police then went through
the house and arrested the following
parties: Morton and wife, Moore, and
Williams, the keeper of gambling
house in st. CatharInes, They were at
once handcufTed and marched away
TO jail in charge of the police. BY
this time an immense crowd of people
had gathered in front of the hotel,
and considerable excitement prevail
ed. AS soon as the prisoners were
removed the house was placed in
charge of the American detectives,
and they still have possession.
While these operations were going
on at the Turf Club Hotel, another
force of police went to the house of
Dan Thompson, the comedian, and
arrested Mrs. Thompson, who was
the only person in the house. Dan
was taken on the street just after the
arrests at the Turf Club. A third
party of police at the same time made
descent on the house of L. w.
Moore, on John. street, and arrested
Mrs. Moore and Mrs Surge, her
mother. One Of the most important
members Of the gang was still missing
and from information received the
police were led to believe that he was
at Kennedy's Club House, Brockton.
As the securing Of him was of the
greatest moment, prompt measures
were taken to capture him. Mr.. Irish,
agent of the American Express Com
pany here, in company with men,
Der of the Toronto police force, got in
20 carriage and drove with all rapid
ity to Brockton. Quick as they were,
information OF the arrests in the city
had reached the house when they ar
rived there. Thompson was in the
bar-room as they entered, and imme-
diately suspected the object OF their
visit, he made an attempt to escape
through the back door, but was not
fast enough. B1F. Irish sprang and
and cOllared him, after which the
''darbies" were placed on his wrists
by the policeman, he was hustled into
the carriage and brought back TO the
City in double quick time. This COM
pleted the arrests. The prisoners
were all taken to the Jail, placed in
separate cells, ana there they. now are
awaiting the issue OF the legal steps
that age to be taken for the purpose of
securing their extradition to the Uni
ted States. They are determined to
defend themselves in the best manner
possible, and for that purpose have
secured the services of Hon. J. H.
Cameron and the Hon. NJ. @. Came
ron, who are already actively engaged
on behalf of their clients.
The crimes for which the parties
have been arrested are numerous,an
Of the weightiest character, but on
only two of them will their extradi-
tion be sought. These as has always
been supposed, are express robbers.
AS our readers are aware, number
OF very heavy rObberies OF this nature
have been committed in the States of
late, and the police throughout the
Union have been engaged in search
OF the perpetrators. Againit the gang
arrested here there are charges of
their having robbed tho Adams Ex-
press Company, the American Ex-
press Company, and the Merchants
Union Express Company. Each
Company has lost large amounts of
money of latelthrough these robberies,
but in two instances the robberies
were particularly serious, and COM
mitted in a manner that displayed
daring and desperation of the most
astonishing character, stamping tha
perpetrators as villains of the deepest
dye. it is for these two crimes in
particular THAT the arrests were made
last night, and therefore a few faots
regarding the robberies may not prove
interesting In this place.
The first of these two robberies in
point OF time is that of the Merchants
Union Express Company. 1t was
committed on May 1st of this year,
in the express car of train on the
Hudson River Railroad. The story
of the managers in charge of the car
is that, at small station short dis
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