Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-09-07
Gang of burglars Caught in Raid.

A bold and extensive operation of burglars, in
the town of South Charleston, Ohio, is de-
scribed in a letter to the Cincinnati Ga
gette:
ga party of burglars, numbering from eight
10 ten, started few days ago from Columbus,
visiting the towns on the little Miami Rail-
road. working westward They arrived at
South Charleston August 18th, and concealed
themselves in piece Of woods near the town
until nightfall, when, with an audacity that
ia startling they commenced to 'gn through
the town. In the space Of about two hours
and a half twenty-four houses were entered or
attempted. They began near the railroad, and
worked with wonderful rapdity short dis
tance up Chillicothe street, striking of then to
the dwellings skrting the outer edges OF the
town, making almost a complete circuit around
it, driven by citizens, in many instances, from
one house to another.
sThe first alarm was given by Mr.. Brown,
who detected them entering his house through
the window. After driving them away, he
fred a gun at one as he crossed the yard, i'm
mediately after which the fellow impudently
returned the fire, the ball passing just above
Mr. Browns head. He Immediately began to
rouse his neighbors. Another pistol shot was
soon heard, which came from Mr.. Hugh Poney,
who was driving them from his premises
They seemed now to scatter, and made stimuli
taneous efforts at several houses in that
vicinity. By this time great portion OF the
lower end of the town was aroused. Some oil
the thieves had got into the upper end OF the
town. and Mr.. VIM. Dingess drove man from
his bedroom who had entered through win
dow. Mr. Dingess then raised the alarm at
that end of the town.
isIn very short space of time great mum
ber Of citizens were armed and on the streets
patrolling in every direction, with now and
then some random firing. The consequence
was, the town soon became too hot for the
thieves, and they began 10 lie low Every
effort was now made to capture them, and th'
town was searched from one end to the other
the roads guarded and every preeaution take1
not to allow them to get out OF the town. The
result was, that having been driven from every
house they entered, or tried to enter, anI
finding the citizens vigilant, aroused ant
courageous to hunt them down, but very littl
, was stolen, and, before six O'Clock in tn
morning. nine of the rascals were lodged il
Jail.
''They (the prisoners,) say there are two o
three more belonging to the gang. Is so, thes
( have probably escaped. But we have the lead
q er of the garg, who is one-armed, desperat
looking fellow, and gives his name as King
'iParticular mention should be made Of Gel
8 tain individuals who were conspicuously il
5 strumental in the capture Of the prisoners
namely: William Dingess, James Shafei
William Colwell and Benjamin Anderson, VIII
8 made extraordinary exertions in the searcl
!. for which they have, and meritoriously, to'
:. the thanks of all our citizens
a ''Mrs. McMurray, widow, awoke, and sa
a woman standing by her bedside, who, upo
8 finding herself discovered, fled through Il
" door, which had been opened [Query-Wi
II there woman among them, or was one of Il
: men in female attireH Mrs McMurray is vel
:, certain it was a woman.l One particular d,
Is monstration, showing the extreme boldnesG
rs the burglars, was in the house of Mr.. Jol
At Thacker. One of the burglars, passing throul
Mr.. Thacker's room to the one occupied
&. his daughter Clara, cOolly tried to remove son
rings from the young lady's fingers.