The New York herald., 1869-07-04

Runaway.
[From che Buffalo Express, June 29I
:, For some Tune past complaints have been mace
that freight shipped tue New York Central Rail-
road from the Nest VIA suspension bridge dld not
reach its destination and the loss finally traced
TO that part or the road between Lockport ana R0-
chester. The directors OF the company became salts
fed that a well organized gang were operating IN
the vicinity, and close watch was kept IN all direc
tons. It was at last discovered that the freight
was thrown or the train by part OF the gang and
picked up by Others, who wagoned IL away for sale.
About three weeks ago information was SEM
TO SUPERINTENDENT Iorrence that q bale OF wire,
weighing some seventy pounds, had been found IN IA
field near Middleport Detective Kent was i'm
mediately sent to look into the matter Pro
ceeding to Rochester, he took with INN John
Barker the track master at that place and shrewd
and Determined maa, ana started lor Mlddleport,
There was found THAT the wire had been sold, and
after obtaining the details the ouicer made IN
qu1ries which led to the Information that twenty
one similar bales going West on the Blue Line had
been lost.
Back to Middleport they went, and there found
that young man named Spauldlng, dry goods
clerk, had sold twenty one bales to hardware mer-
chant named Compton for eighty-hve dollars. Mr..
Spauding gave clear account of the transaction.
saying that the wire had been delivered 70 him at
night by man named Daniel Day.
A warrant was Immediately issued for Days ar
rest and, after an examination before Justice Baker,
he was put under 81, 900 bail to answer to charge
Of grand larceny.
The next question was more difficult of solutions
but suspicion finally rested on Joseph Duncan, who
resides IN Rochester, and was formerly employed as
a conductor on the road. lie man of some
properly, anu ndu DceH uollceu 10 Dc JTeuueHiy III
the company OF Day at Middeport, under the pre-
tence of buying cattle. The fact tnat no one could
recall an instance In which he had made purchase
OF any kind led to suspicion OF him.
Finally Kent became satisfied that he had SUFFICIENT
evidence to convict Duncan, and on SATURDAY tele-
graphed TO the Rochester Chief OF Police that he had
a warrant for him, the freight master. lie was
therefore arrested in Rochester and held until Kent
and Barker arrived and on Saturday afternoon
started with their prisoner for Niagara county. AT
Medina constable A. Remington was taken on and
Mr. Barker relieved to return 20 his duties at Roces-
"a a T.. W.. 40 80
hnwever no relation OF the prisoner got upon the
tram. Mr. Kent gave nun the commitments, and,
after proceeding to Lockport left for Buffalo, giving
the officers directions to take him directly To jail.
1t seems that Duncan then prevailed upon them to
take him to the office Of Vim. S. Farwel his lawyer
duced them to take him 10 the house OF his mother
very estlmabe lady, residing In LOCK port assert.
Ing That ne wished TO obtain nall She refused to
become his ball. and once more they took up their line
OF march. Remington desired to have the prisoner
handcuffed, but officer Duncan had no bracelets
Duncan insisted that the man was In his charge and
he would risk his getting away.
When within thirty or forty feet OF the Jail gate
Duncan. the prisoner suddenly slipped from the
grasp OF Duncan the officer, and Ia moment was
flying up the street. Remington Jumped for him,
but woman happening to be passing at that mo-
ment stepped In the way. Remington Knocked her
down in his haste and drew his revolver, but the
woman In rising once more got before him and he
thus prevented from firing
In the meantime Duncan made good mis- escape
and has not been heard from SINCE
MiddlepOrt deserves a word OF commentator.
The officers agree in saying that the citizens OF the
place untirng In their efforts to ferret the
robbery saying that they must have no thieves In
MiddepOrt.