The New York herald., 1871-01-11
TIE BUTCHER CART DODGE.
"Billy tho Knuck," an Ex-COnVlct, Convicted
Of Diamond Robbery.
Judge Bedford Sends Him to the State Prison
for Five Years-The Judge Makes Sons BE.
marks Interesting to the Thieves Of this City.

The columns Of the HERALD daily contain clear
expose OF the numerous dodges which criminals re,
sort TO In perperating their depredations upon the
community wnch reveal the fact that II the intelli-
gence, tact and indomitable energy manifested by
burglars and thieves to possess themselves OF other
peoples property was exercised In the pursuit Of
an honest calling they would soon aniass wealth.
New Workers are perfectly familiar with tnad
species Of robbery known IN tho parlance Of fh0
police as the 'butcher larceny,n and they are
equally Wen aware that 80 expert are the thieves
who make this phase Of crime speciality that they
often alude arrest and escape with their booty II
viii be gratifying to the citzons OF oil classes In the
community and indeed. to the entire country, to
learn that Judge Bedford disposed Of notorious
member Of this fraternity yesterday In the General
Sessions.
TRIAL, CONVICTION AND SENTENCE OF WILLIAM
HENDERSoN-"BILLY THE KNucK.n
The first case called yesterday IN General Sessions
was that Of william Henderson and Richard N.
Rice, charged with grand larceny. MISC
THE TESTIMONY.
Mr. william Moir the first witness called testified
that he keeps o jewelry store at No. s15 Hudson
street; that the 21st Of December the day before
the occurrence which he was about to narrae, Rice
and another party (Henderson) came in and looked
at diamond cross, but did purchase It.; that on
the 2Sd, between i've and O'Clock in the evening.
Rice ana Henderson entered the store and Mr..
Weeks, one OF the clerks, showed them the diamond
cross and while he was looking at it the door Of the
store was suddenly opened, a man entered with
yell, snatched the cross from Henderson, ran out,
jumped into light wagon and drove or Accord
ing to Mr.. Molr the whole transaction was done In
five seconds.
CORRoB0RArIvE AND ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY.
Abraham Il. Weeks, the clerk who waited upon
the mon, and believing them to be thieves watched
them closely, gave fuller account Of the audacious
robbery. Rice handed the cross to Henderson, VINO
examined it and then asked to see some rings; while
the clerk was reaching over to receive the cross
that instant the door opened and third party
rushed IN and 3natcned H. HENDERSON taking care TO
hold it in such position readily enable his ac-
compllce to get It; Henderson rushed TO the door,
detained Rice ana his aceomplce until % the captain
OF the police arrived, who In Few minutes appeared
upon the scene ana ire EecoTnZoa RICE ana Henderson son
station house and skeleton keys were found in his
PLAUSIBLE STORY
told by Henderson, who said he was, at the time
Of the occurrence, barkecper for MIR. Martin, cor
ner Of Elm and Pearl streets that he was returning
from an uptown brewery, and met Rice, wno iL-
vited nim 10 look at Q diamond cross which he
intended to purchase. lie acceded to his request
ring would be more appropriate. He was IN the
act Of returning the cross to the clerk when q man
he endeavored TO pursue crying ''Stop Thief ~ but
was detained by the clerk and proprietor Upon
CTOSs-cAdIlllhllou atuucTSOu uculcu tilaC NE n3u
ever been arrested or had ever served term in the
state Prison. HIS story would have been very plau-
slble had not Captain Mcdonald known something
OF the antecedents OF Henderson,. The Captain was
recalled and informed the Judge and jury that
the prisoner had tue reputation OF O thief,
was called 'Billy the Knuck' and he had been told
by Detective Irving and other members Of the force
that Henderson served term in the State Prison 0
few years ago. He saw henderson go into Theodore
Aliens place, ,scorner Of Prince and Mercer streets,
and therefore Inferred that his associations were not
OF The best
MI. Sullivan, In his summing up, graphically de-
picted the manner In which such clevsr and reck-
stores and often escape BY driving or at furious
rate through the public streets.
THE CHARGE.
Judge Bedford delivered an impartial charge and,
In conclusion, SAID that the jury believed that the
prisoners quit was established beyond all reason
rendering verdict OF guilty and thus teach rufans
aud thieves that the authorities would be always
supported by respectable ana high-t0ned jurors.
GUILTY.
The jury adopted the suggestion OF his Honor and
promptly rendered verdict OF guilty.
SENTENCED.
Judge Bedford, in passing sentence, said:-Hender-
son, You havo been convicted Of o daring larceny.
You are professional thief and well known to the
police. Captain Mcdonald tells me that you are
known by the name OF "Bllly the Knuck;" that you
are an ex-convlct having served term IN the State
Prison. The Captain, when he searched you, found
IN your pockets skeleton keys, only carried anu used
by professional bnrglar5 You are o leader of tho
dangerous Glasses, and, for the welfare Of society,"
SHAH put you out Of the way, by combining you In
the State Prison at hard labor for the term OF ve
years.
Rice who was Jointly Indicted with Henderson,
was remanded I'LL the next term.