The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-08
RAILROAD THIEVES.

rOI uOhthb past the fnllauelpnlh anu fSeau-
ing Railroad Company has been annoyed by a
Sc ries of rObberies, which have caused trouble
alike TO the company, the shippers OF the goods,
and the expectant purchasers. Almost every
trelgnt train that passes over the road was visited
by thieves, the freights broken open, and when
valuable portion thereof stolen. The compa-
ny,s officers were completely dumbfounded,
although constant and strict watch was kept
up at different points along the road, yet almost
daily their ears were saluted with the unwel-
come news that another depreciation had been
committed.
This wholesale system was doomed TO expo
sure, however, through the workings of higher
power than road officers or detectives, and was
on Saturday night last laid bare in manner
that should forever last as terrible example to
all wrongdoers About 10 o'clock on the night
mentioned, some of the employees of the road
found lying on either side of the tracks of the
road, nearly opposite Norristown, portions of
the body of man who had been cut in twain
by some passing train.
The remains were handed over to the Norris
town authorities, and on their being searched
there was found a warrant issued to the commit
ting magistrate at the Central Station here.
From this 1t was inferred that the unknown un-
fortunate was n detective officer, and word was
at once telegraphed to Chief Kelly that an Off
Ger of his department had been killed on the
Reading Railroad, near Norristown. Knowing
that something was wrong, Chief Kelly at once
detailed Detective Lukens to investigate the
case, and the latter Immediately proceeded to
NorTstown. Arriving there and viewing the
BODY, ne saw through Jno WnOl0 mystery.
The deceased was no other than the notorious
Robert Sharp, better known as Bob Sharp, at
one time the proprietor of Buck Hall, No. 333
| Shippen street, n notorious dance-house aud
| thieves resort. Detective Lukens explained the
matter to the authorities, and gave orders for
| the arrest of any parties who should claim the
| body. He then returned to this city, and set q
trap for the capture of the rest of the gang.
| Chief Kelly next detailed Detectives Tryon aud
| Levy to aid in the case, and they had informa-
| tion conveyed to the friends of Sharp as to his
| death. Yesterday morning, George Wilson,
alias Woodie, a well-known professional, arrived
| in Norristown, and asked to be given the body,
| saying that he had been sent for it by Mrs.
Walker, whose husband deceased had been.
Wilson was taken into custody, and brought to
| this city.
| Meantime Detective Lukens having found on
| the body a handkerchief marked Mary j.
| Sharp, proceeded to hunt her up, and finding
| her, secured such information led him to
| Bridgeport, where, in an old springhouse he
| found a lot of calico, muslin, and other goods
| that had been stolen on Friday night from cars
| on the road. 1t was then ascertained that Sharp
| had been to the springhouse on Saturday, and 1t
| is supposed was about committing q depreda-
| ton on another train, when, falling he met
| with the accident which ended his sinful career
Detectives Levy and Tryon were not idle
either. They found on the head of the prisoner
| Wilson hat of the style called ''Shoo-'fy," and
on inquiry learned that case of such hats had
| short time ago been stolen while in transit.
number of bags were also found, which had
been used for the transportation OF the stolen
goods to this city The thieves, it appears,
were furnished with duplicate keys for all the
freight cars, and thus secured admission.
PENRosE FERRY BRIDGE.-The bids for the
rebuilding of the Penrose Ferry Bridge have
been opened at the Highway Department. The
proposals submitted were the following
By George Smith & Co.-Timber crib, 55 cents
iron bolts, 10 cents per lb; ballast per perch fol
sinking, $3.50; masonry, $11; superstructure,
1885, taking out old material and superintend-
| ing Job, $5 per day.
By Powell g. Son-Timber crib, per cubic feet
oak, 9S cents; yellow pine, 1874 cents; hem
lock, 81 cents. Masonry, per perch, $12. Su.
perstructure S37'50 Taking out old crib and
| masonry, $4,000.
By w. w. Rolan-Takiug out old materia
and experimenting job, $4,000.
By John w. Murphy-Timber crib, 90 cents
masonry, $1S; superstructure, $45; allowance
for old material, 5000.
By John b. Cofrode & Co.-Timber crib
yellow pine, 70 CENTS hemlock, 65 cents
, masonry, $12 superstructure, $3S; old material
1880. This firm also proposes to do all tn
!; | teral hemlocB, $26, 400 and the old material.
By James Healy, using the old material, fo
$41 per lineal foot; without the material, 81
| per lineal foot.
By Hiram Biting, the masonry for 1895 pc
| perch-allowance for stone for face wall, $s
: for backing, 80.
COMMISSIONER CAsEs.-The case of SamuC
e B. White, charged with violating. The revenu
e law in neglecting to make out bill of sale fo
: tobacco. continued this morning befor
4 | United States Commissioner Clarke.
8 Mr.. Greenly, one of the firm for whom Whit
acted as foreman, testified that 1t was not tn
wagon of the firm which was sent to carry ava
the goods which it is alleged were sold and n
9 account returned. The wagon was commo
:, furniture wagon, with white cover. Other III
important testimony was elected, after whic
the case was again adjourned until Monda
h | next at 12 O'clock.
IS The case of Walter F. Trott, captain of tn
=, coasting schooner Jeddie, charged by one of HI
. | seamen with assault and battery on the hig
= | seas, was continued this morning before Con
}: | missioner Hibler. The complainant, Arthu
l. | Kenys, says that the captain kicked him on tt
IS | mouth, after which scuffe ensued in whic
v | the captain had his jaw broken. Kenys ha
l. | before been heard before Commissioner PhilliI
IF on a charge of mutiny preferred by the captaiI
10 The decision on this first charge is not yet mac
$ | public. The case of Trott was again continues
y and will be heard tomorrow.
STOCKS AND REAL EsTATE-The followir
,s sales were made by NJ. Thomas & Sons at Il
,r Merchants Exchange, this morning.
NJ 100 shares Green and Coates ST. p R. W. Co... S38
5000 Union Canal %, Bonds per
3shares West Jersey Ferry Uo................. 252
a. sha Point Breeze Park ITO
~ 40 snares Central Transportation Co ........ So
"a 439 shares Freedom Iron and Steel 90. 10
nv share Mercantile Library ;:...;,. 3
20 shares PTovdent Life Insurance and Trust %. 63
ne 20 shares Enterprise Insurance Oo a
e. 30 shares PhladelPhia and Southern Mail .,
Il 2s0 shares Forrest County Oil Co. .............
u. 400 ehar0s Walnut Bottom Oil Con.
Ill 1880 shares Northwestern Oil Co.,t gil for the
L E,625 shares Monitor OIL Co.,
53shares Empire Transportation. ............. 53
nc WOOD ST, No. 9O3-Modern Dwelling ;......, 6l0l