The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-08-02
ARREST or A GANG OF THIEVES.
Their Depredations Erie Trains-Au Or.
gnnized system of Robbery.

Their Depredations Erie Trains-An Or
gnnized system Of Robbery.
PORT JERvIs, N. Y. August /, 1871.
This village has been thrown into high state OF
excitement over the unearthing OF an organized
gang OF Car thieves on the Shawangunk Mountain,
about five miles east Of here and the arrest of nine
OF them.
For year and more past the Erie Railway Com
pany has been called upon to pay large sums in
the aggregate to parties who have not received
goods consigned to them at different stations
along the line and circumstances indicated
that these missing articles were stolen from the
cars while In transportation. The many wild re-
gions through which the Erie Railway passes afford
peculiar advantages for car thieves, who in many
cases are discharged railway employees The most
of these missing articles are lost on the eastern d.
vision and for months o strict watch has been kept
along the Shawangunk Mountain, where for miles
live abandoned and reckless people In the woods
and among the rocks. These people nave Ostensi-
bly, supported themselves by hunting, fishing, berry
picking, &C.; but recent Developments have brought
to light the existence OF an organized band Of
thieves among them.
The railroad, after leaving Port JARVIS, ascends
the Shawangunk Mountain to Oterile, distance
oftwelve miles, climbing heavy grace. The whole
Of this distance almost, Is this wild and ROCKY
region wherein dwell these abandoned characters.
Trains necessarily run slow up the mountain, ana
1t has ransplred that 1t Is here the cars are
robbed.
On Thursday OF last week 1t was reported rom
Jersey City to the agent Of the company at this
place that one OF the freight trains arriving there
the night before was more than usually short OF
valuable goods; among them a number of sheep,
several casks Of ham, barrel OF beef and numerous
other articles. On Wednesday night three well
known characters n Shin HOlIar the name ptyen N
the Shawangunk Mountain region, were seen to get
on freight train at this station ana ride up the
mountain. Suspicion at once fell in that direction,
and constable and posse OF men were sent over to
certain houses and make arrests. search Of
the house OF James Conkin revealed unmistakabe
evidence or crime. Besides large quantity Of
mutton found in various parts OF the house,
there wero empty boxes, barrels crates, &C.. marked
to different parties ''va Erie Railway" The cellar
was stored full OF sucn remains The inmates OF the
Women. The men James and Peter t,0nkiin. we're
arrested. The house OF Garret COnklin, near by,
was then searched and with similar result. Peter
Conklin here confessed to being engaged In O sys-
tematic robbery of trains, and ed to reveal
the Whereabouts Of Others Of the gang. This he did
until nine were arrested oil villanous looking men.
They were brought to Port Jervs, and al their trial
yesterday their manner OF operating was made
known py Peter Conklin.
Generally three OF them would come 70 Port Jervis
during the day. and at night Jump on one OF the
many freight trains leaving the station. While
are investigated, the train men generally being all
IN the caboose at the far end OF the train. Sucn
articles as they can conveniently manage and dis
pose of are then got ready and when they arrive nc
points previously agreed upon the barrels, boxes,
bales, and whatever they may be, are rolled of.
The noise of the train prevents the employees on the
tram hearing anything, and the thieves then jump
OF. and with the assistance OF others, who are lying
In wait at the throwing of place." the articles
taken to the different huts and disposed OF III var-
GUS ways.
The theft Of the sheep was proved against the
gang, and, all but Peter Conkln, VINO 10 now en-
gagged In assisting the officers IN making more
arrests and breaking up the gang, they were all
sentenced to imprisonment 10 the full extent OF the
law. More developments are expected IN day or
two, and the mystery OF much of the lost property
along the Eric Will be fully revealed.
James II. Bailey, brakeman on the Monticello
and Port Jervis Railway while riding on the top OF
q passenger last evening, struck the back
Of the head by q beam IN q bridge at Huguenot. and
was instantly Killed. He leaves wife and two
children at DeckertOwn, N. J.