The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-10-28
Sensation in Springfield, I'll.

LARGE GANG OF BURGLARS ARRESTED.
We copy as follows from the
Springfield 4drertiser, of the 18th:
The reign of terror is over. The
citizens of Springfield who, for the
last five or six years, have not rested
a single night securely in their BEDS.
have at last been relieved of this
constant dread. Houses entered
night after night, servant girls
choked in their beds, belated travel
ers assaulted and robbed in our
streets, pistol shots penetrating dwell
lings, have combined to make Spring
field stunned by all who desired
secure and peaceful home. Bolts and
locks have proved insecure, private
watchmen were worthless, and our
insufficient. police force OF no avail.
Public meetings of outraged citizens,
where fierce and denunciatory resolu-
tons were passed and taxes voted to
procure police force, are events
which were called forth by the mid
night plrnderings of band of des-
peradoes who were regardless of life,
and would cut a throat with the
utmost sang .troid. The newspapers
have hurled inyectives against the
Council, and have published petitions
from injured parties. 1t was all of no
avail.
Mayor ]. j. Hanna, when elected
to the Office, was aware of its respon-
bilities. The burglars were holding
forth in high carnival He deter
mined from the beginning to break
up the gang. He therefore appealed
early to the Council for help, and in
its secret session laid his plans before
the Council. He proposed, if the
Council would sustain him in finan-
cial way, to break up the organized
gang, and relieve the citizens from
their terror. The Mayor felt assured
that the burglars who operated so
successfully and in each case evaded
detection, had thorough system
upon which they acted. He believed
further, that the members of this gang
were citizens of this place. The
streets were often infested with young
men who, with no visible means OF
support, yet appeared to have l4enty
of money and lived at their ease.
A man was selected who became
intimately acquainted with the plans
| of the burglars, who met them when
they prepared for their midnight
excursions. He informed himself OF
their plans and purposes, and gave
them, as fast as obtained, to Mayor
Hanna, who detailed special policeman
Bruner to watch them. The burglars,
when they entered into house, little
knew that a man in a big overcoat.
underneath which was concealed a
blue uniform, watched all their move
ments, saw them enter, waited until
they secured their plumber, and then
saw them depart. Their names were
in his possession. For several months
this faithful policeman kept watch
upon their movements, followed then
like a shadow from place to place
haunted them day and night, unit
cases were made upon twenty of the
gang. Some of these were not impli-
Gated as burglars, but were equally
culpable as receivers of stolen goods
Mayor Hanna was cognizant of the
dangerous character of the williams
and fearful that before his plans were
fully ripe a murder would be com.
mitted, for they had been seen il
their secret retreats to brandish fierce
glistening knives, and swear will
oaths that they would sheath then
in certain parties whom they deter
mined to visit, if they made the leasr
cutlery.
1t was determined, finally, to max,
the arrests of twelve of the ringlead
ers. The police force were in entir.
ignorance of the work that was going
on; but last evening the Mayor in
formed the Chief of Police of til,
arrests to be made. The mine wa
sprung, and the burglars found at las
that perseverance, skill and energ,
had outwitted them.
"It was wonder that it was KEEP