The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-08-27
The Recent Express RObberies-Irnpor.
tnnt Arrests In Toronto.

Shoal of Thieves, we stated that there
were in Canada q number of the most eX-
pert robbers of the United States, who had
been compelled TO take voyage here IN or
der to escape punishment for crimes com.
mitted a short time ago, We also stated
That several of these fellows were in our
city. and that they were closely watched
by a small party of American detectives
who had been sent here for that special
purpose. Though it was evident OF late
Important move was in cOntempla-
ton ON the part of the detectives, they left
their intentions to themselves until last
evening. when they created IN intense ex-
element and gathered together q large
crowd of persons on King street, by ar
resting several suspicious persons who
have been living here for the past few
weeks.
THE ARRESTS.
The arrests were made last evening,
shortly before seven o'clock, by several
members Of the Toronto police force, as
sisted by the American detectives. 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 a signal to other parties in the house
that the Phillistines were upon them in the
hope that they might escape. The doors
and windows were therefore Immediately
guarded aud no one was allowed either to
enter or depart. The police then went
through the house aud arrested the follow
ing parties: Morton and wife, Moore and
WtllfaV1u ilan Laat.aV of "a gopNhfnn haffaa
in st. Catharines. They were at once hand
cuffed and marched away to the jail in
charge of the police. BY this time an inn
mem o crowd ofpeople had gathered in front
of the hotel aud considerable excitement
prevailed. As soon as the prisoners were
removed the house was placed in charge of
one OF the American detectives, and he
still has possession.
While these operations were going on at
the Turf Club Hotel another force Of po-
lice went to the house of Den. Thompson,
the comedian, and arrested Mrs. Thomp-
son. who was the only person in the house.
Den. was taken on the street just after the
arrests at the Turf Club. A third party of
police Mt the same time made a descent on
the house of J.. 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 n member of
tho Toronto police force, got into O carriage
and drove with all rapidity TO Brockton.
quick as they we're, information of the ar
rests in the city had reached the house
when they arrived There, and they were,
therefore, not n moment too soon. Thomp-
son was in the bar-room as they entered,
and Immediately suspecting the object Of
their visit, no made an attempt TO os-
cape through a back door, but was not fast
enough. Mr.. Irish sprang for end coilared
him, after which the "darbies' were placed
on his wrist by the policeman. He was
hustled into n carriage and brought back
to the city in double quick time. This
completed the arrests. The prisoners were
all taken TO the Jail, placed in separate
cells, and there they now are awaiting the
Of the legal steps that are to be taken
for the purpose Of procuring their extradi-
ton TO the States. They are determined
TO defend themselves in the best name
possible, and for. that purpose have secured
the services of the Hon. John II. Cameron
and Hon. NJ, G, Cameron, who are al
ready actively engaged on behalf of their
clients.
THEIR cRrMEs
The crimes for which the parties have
been arrested are numerous and of the
weightiest character, but on only two Of
them will their cxtradition be sought.
These, as has always been supposed, are
express robberies. As our readers are
aware, a number Of very heavy robberieg
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. Against the gang arrest
ed here there are charges Of their having
the Adams Express Company, the
American Express Company, and the Mer-
Union Express Company. Each
company has lost large amounts of money
Of late through these robberies, but in two
instances the robberies were particularly
and committed in a manner that
displayed daring and desperation Of the
most astonishing character, stamping the
perpetrators as villains of the deepest dye.
II is for these w. crimes in particular that
the arrests were made last night, and
therefore n few facts regarding the robber-
les may not prove unInteresting in this
place.
HISTORY OF TIE ROBBERS.
As yet we have not heard much as to the
previous history of the robbers. The de-
say they are oil desperate and no
torious criminals, whose whole lives have
been devoted 10 crime; and certainly if
We're engaged in the outrages men
toned above they must be hardened vii
lains. They came to this city a few weeks
ago, not altogether, but one or two ut Il
time. They seemed 10 have plenty of mon
ey, for they lived in good style, and most
of them took up house with the apparent
intention Of residing here permanently
Morton and Thompson purchased the Turf
Club Hotel a few weeks ago, and have been
keeping II ever since. Moore rented q
house ON John street, and has been living |
there in grand style, with no visible means
of support. Some Of them, as stated
above, have their wives with them, on
women who have passed as such. The
police thought it well to secure them as
well as the men, though it is not likely
that any Of them were implicated in the
robberies. Williams is notorious for his
connection with the famous Lord bond
robbery in New York. He has resided in
st. GATHERINGS for over u year, his house
being well known rs a resort of thieves,
gamblers and roughs Of all kinds. Den.
Thompson is known 10 all f~requenters OF
the Royal Lyceum, He il an excellent
low comedian, and has hitherto been very
popular with pit audiences, How deeply
he il implicated in the robberies remains
TO be proved. Since the gang arrived in
town he has been their constant associate,
but it may be that he is entirely innocent
of any crime so far as they are concerned.
WORKING HI CASE.
The case was worked up under the SUI
perintendenco of Detective G. II. Bangs.
Of Allen Pinkerton's National Detective
Police Force, assisted by Detective w. II.
Smith, of Albro, Smith K Byme's Detective
Agency, Of Buffalo. These men, with the
aid of several other American detectives,
knun Ennn On Ihn IrnnE Of flo rtlRlnnn a.