The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-03-10

Arrest Of a Noted 7hief-1 Forced Con-
fession
From the Memphis Avalanche, Feb. 9.

From the Memphis Avalanche, Feb. g.
A short telegram from Humboldt,
published yesterday, announced that
robbery had been perpetrated there, and
the arrest of the implicated parties. We
have learned more of the particulars from
a gentleman who left Humboldt yester-
day.
Capt. Robertson, superintendent of the
track from jackson to Columbus, left his
home III jackson on Monday morning, to
inspect the road and direct some work
along the line. He reached Humboldt
on time, where the trains from Paris and
Memphis, and Columbus and jackson
meet every morning and stop for break
fast He had in his pocket some 81 $50
in money, mostly belonging to employees
on the Mobile and Ohio road. This he
had collected for the men on pay-warrants
that had been issued to them, as he had
opportunity He had also some $500 in
warrants.
As the trains were about leaving he
found that his pocket-book had been abb
stracted from the side pocket of his coat,
with all that it contained. Whether it
was taken while on the platform, or before
leaving the car, is not known. But he
had evidently been spotted by the sports
who were hanging around Humboldt, and
had probably been followed by them for
some days. Not being able to stop he
gave notice to the agents of the roads at
that point, and went ON to Columbus.
The night before, Conductor Hutchinson,
of the Memphis and Louisville road, had
detected some of the light fingered gen
try in entering the cars as they stopped
for supper, and had elected them. The
same gentry had been seen prowling
about the platform that morning, and
suspicion at once rested on them. Search
was made, and two of them, who had
been stopping at the Osborne house,
we're found in bed at another house, hav-
ing Just gone there, and were apparently
asleep. They were taken, and $3.50
found upon them. Another was found
in the neighborhood.
But four had strayed away singlv, be-
tween the buildings and the railroad
tracks, and had been noticed by the town
constable, who had not yet learned of the
robbery. When informed of it he fol-
lowed, with another person, after them
In the meantime Conductor Hutchinson
had been telegraphed to look out for them
at Milan. He obtained some hundred or
more men, and repaired at once to the
railroad. The aforesaid constable and
his companion followed on up the rail
road, which they took some three or four
miles out of Humboldt.
just as they reached Milan the men
closed upon them, and the two behind
came up and arrested them without diff
Guilty One was the notorious Johnny
Reagan, lately ordered to leave Memphis,
and another, Burns, well-known to the
police of this city. They were taken to
a caboose and carried down to Humboldt.
At first they stoutly denied knowledge of
the robbery, and affected utter indifer-
ence But they were soon brought to
terms A rope was fastened about Rea-
CANS neck, and drawn rather recklessly.
He begged to be released from its grasp,
| in which event he would confess and re-
turn the money. He was given chance,
and the money was produced. The war
rants had been burned on the road.
But this was not all. Further confes-
sions were made by Reagan, among which
was the robbery of the express company's
office at jackson some two years ago.
For this both Reagan and Jim Creighton
were tried, but acquitted. Another affair
to which Reagan confessed was the blow
ing open of safe in Exchange building
in this city last New Years eve, and the
taking of several large and small sums
from different parties and places in Mem
phis during the past few weeks.
There were seven of Reagan's party
operating in Humboldt. They had
planned to rob the express office the night
of their capture. According to the state
ment of Reagan, Sergt. Brown and
Officer Rice-especially the former-may
thank their stars, as on several occasions
he had purposed to kill them. Reagan
was especially bitter against Brown, who,
it seems, had been Jealous in defeating
this amiable young mans projects.
The indignation of the community,
who turned out to search for and secure
these desperate outlaws, was so great that
they purposed to hang two of them Mon
day night. Through the influence of
Mr.. Hutchinson, wiser counsels prevailed,
and it is hoped the law will take its full
course upon them. The community
must be protected against such scoundrels.
Mr. T. w. Hutchinson deserves the
thanks of the public for his conduct in
the matter.