The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-03
DOMINION OF CANADA.


The Recent Highway Robbery in Fulton
County, N. Y.-Arrest OF the Thieves in
Canada-Sharp Resistance-,rhe Extradi-
ton.
ST. CATHARINEs, Ontario, March 20, 1859.
On Tuesday afternoon. the 23d instant, Sheriff WILL
liam p. BraytOn, Of Fulton county, State OF New
York, called upon the authorities here to take steps
to secure the arrest OF two notorious criminal fugi
tives from his State named Clay Matthew'S alias
Johnson, and Benjamin Miller, the latter being de-
scrbed a desperate character and one who
treated the life Of another as Of no account The
sheriff, having procured the services Of counsel, had
the necessary information sworn to before Thomas
Burns, police magistrate Of the town.
The information charged the desperadoes with
having on the night OF the Sd OF October last be-
tween the hours OF eight and nine O'Clock on the
public highway leading from Gloversvle to Johns.
town, Fulton county. committed daring robbery
upon James vanatter proprietor OF skin mill at
Goversville. Mr. vanatter IL appears was returning
from Gl0versvie to his residence distance OF
about two miles, horseback. and when about half
way was overtaken by Miller and Matthews, one or
whom seized his horse by the bride, and the other
seizng vanater by the collar of MS coat throat
dragged him of, and after assaulting him took from
his trousers pocket q wallet containing Sl45, cur
rency, and two bank checks for $672 80. in all. The
robbers were on the Monday AFTER arrested at tho
instance Of Vanatter and placed In the hands OF q
constable, who, considerably at least for the prison.
ers allowed them to go 70 a restaurant for break
fast which furnished them with sufficient time to
make their escape to Canada. For some time they
remained In the neighborhood OF Fort Erie, passing
themselves Oh for persons who, having had imam
cial difficulties at h0me selected the Dominion
their retreat until their friends could arrange
matters. Friends. however, OF different ma
ture and disposition were IN the mean
time making arrangements not at all in
accordance with the wishes OF the fugitIves for, hav
ing heard OF their whereabouts, the Sheriff (BaytOn)
and District Attorney Rosa had taken the necessary
steps 10 procure a requistlon from the President
upon the Canadian authorities for the surrender, as
also the proper authority to the Sheriff 70 receive
them when surrendered. Thus prepared and with
warrant issued by Police Magistrate Burns Sherin
Brayton, with Constable Oswald OF this place. and
two United states officers, proceeded to Fort Erie
arriving there on wednesday morning. the 24th
inst, about two O'Clock. Having discovered the
house In which part OF their game was they sur
rounded 1t and began TO explore, constable Oswald
being in advance. with Detective Brayton support
ing, while the Sheriff and other officers were
guard.
cutting wood in the shed ana he, recognizing the
Officers. at once prepared himself for determined
resistance, using his axe with considerable skill and
artllleryman through the Crmea, and who
had had too May encounters with more
10 be deferred, and ably assisted by detective Bray
ton rushed upon their man, took HIM by the throat
and after desperate struggle succeeded IN wrench
with pair OF bracelets Of the moss approved pat
tern. Having safely secured Mathews, they turned
their attention to the capture OF Miller He was not
! TO be easily found, having no doubt, got some
warning. However. the officers not 70 be Dal-
fed. Iaking two sleghs, they set out by di1ereng
roads for q place known az the "Slnugglers Homer
ABOUT niie from kIdgeway. the scene or encounter
between the Fenians and Canadians Ia 1866 sinking
that they would either lind bin there hear
thing OF him. DE had been there but was not then
70 be found by carefully laying plans they on
| Thursday came upon him as he was driving ped
| lers sleigh between Fort Erie and Port Colborne.
He TOO was prepared for resistance, but revolver,
wei directed but not discharged, soon persuaded
MN tnat submission TO the decorations offered was
1 the better cOurse.
Having secured hin and proceeded to pick up
| Matthews the Officers proceeded to ST. Catharines,
| arriving there about eight O'Clock at nlgnt, and
| placed them in the town lookup The authorities
not considering that such accomplished scoundrels
were sale An That place put guard over them for
the night. On Friday morning Good Friday
| the prisoners were brought up, they having ex.
pressed their Willingness to 20 TO the states and
waive hearing ana formal surrender. The ap-
pearance wei the manners Of the prisoners are
certainly against them, especially that OF Miller VINO
| ~ a stout well framed man OF aDont t.rty years
| OF age, medium height, sandy har, and with a
countenance both brutal and unintelligeut ne has
every appearance OF being determined villain and
| ME character lat home as ne styles his former
| residence Is anything but good. Matthews. on the
| other hand, ~ taller and thinner, but has wiry
frame, and countenance but little more favorable
| than his coTnrade.
Wheo the prisoners were eau toned and asked by
Police Magistrate Burns n ~ was true that they
wished TO go 10 the states at once and would waive
Tue necessary lOrmalltes, they consulted together
| for some minutes aud datthews then stated "Lhey
| were anO wOuld.n Before their consent could be
| drawn and signed Miller changed his mind ana said
~ guess won't g0.n lie mad idea that he could
effect an escape from the lookup. lie was frustrated
| IN this, however, by beng remande1 to the Jail
which he soon entered, he and his companion nav
ing on their decorations In the shape OF leglets,
well as bracelets. saturday morning they were
again brought up whea Vanatter, Sheriff; Brayton
and detective Brayton were examined and the
charge fully proved and the prisoners were at once
remanded 10 the jail to remain there until
rendered or discharged by law.
The necessary papers were forwarded on Saturday
IN "a l.ltua mr. Ihn nraNn tl
state for Canada by James A. Miller, OF the firm OF
Miller Miller, birfisters, OF THIS place, who has
had the conduct OF the prosecution, instructed by
sheriff Brayton. and the necessary warrant IL ex-
peccd Ia the course OF ten days, when II ~ hoped
the prisoners VIII be taken and brought TO trial and
receive the punishment they so richly deserve.