The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-10-21
From the Memphis Avalanche
CLEARING Up A MYSTERY.

temUtI Il, appeaicu o ies'Si 'Ao"
Kenny, a noted thief to Chief Of Police
Athy, in which he referred to the great
scooLER DIAMOND ROBBERY
of January |, 1871, in New Orleans.
The letter was written in October Of last
year, and in it Kenny alluies to having
come to this city with Billy Forester
about three weeks after the robbery was
committed. Kenny stated also tLat
Billy brought fourteen pieces OF dla-
mond jewelry, consisting OF pins and
rings, with him. These were given to
Jim Hickey, another well known thief,
who was in the city at the time, and
who undertook to "fence," or dispose OF
them for Billy. The large centre stone
OF a cluster pin worn by Angelo Marie
was one of the stolen stones, Kenny
thought. To whom the other diamonds
were sold he did not know, but sup
posed they were disposed Of in this city.
A VISIT TO KRNNY's PRESENT QUARTERS.
Mr.. NJ. SCOOTER, the proprietor OF the
store that was robbed, seeing Kennys
letter, as published in the Avalanche.
came on Immediately to this city for the
purpose, il possible, OF recovering some
of his goods. Arriving here, be pro-
ceeded to Chief Athy's office, and after
an interview with that Official, it was
determined that the two gentlemen
should visit Kenny, who is in the peri-
Tertiary at Nashville, and see if he
could not be induced to make some
ADDITIONAL DISCLOSURES
concerning this great robbery. Before
starting Mr.. Scooler told Chief Athy
that the thieves carried off diamonds to
the amount OF $4,000, first cost, exclu-
sive OF settings.
When they reached Nashville, Ken
ney was found indusrriously engaged
chiseling stone for the benefit of the
good people Of the Commonwealth in
general, and the penitentiary contract
ors in particular. Being informed OF
the object of the visit, Kenney said he
was willing 10 tell all he knew concern
ing the robbery.
FORESTER IN THE LEAD-How 1T WAS
DONE.
It was committed, he said, by Billy
Forester, Frank Dayne, alas Dago
Frank, and Dave Cummings, who had
planned the job several weeks previous.
To afford them greater immunity from
general observation, the three burglars
on the night OF the robbery hired man
to fire several boats that were moored
at the landing. This WAS done, and in
the conhagration the Thompson Dean
and five other large firstclass steamers
were totally destroyed. A steamboat
fire invariably attracts an immense
crowd whenever it comes of near a city,
and in this instance the fire being an
unusually large and, consequently, ex-
citing one, proved no exception to the
general rule. Everybody was attracted
to the scene, the police for several
squares being ordered to the river front,
thus leaving the streets comparatively
deserted Among other beats vacated
by the men OF shields and clubs WAS that
in which Mr.. Scooler's store was To-
Gated. The knowledge OF this fact was
properly appreciated and taken advan-
tage of by the three gums" who, by
the aid OF their tools, effected an en-
trance to
THE DIAMOND VAULT,
and ere the first gray streaks Of dawn
had appeared on the horizon they
quilted the store unHolested and unno-
ticed with 100000 worth OF the gilt
tering gems in their possession. For a
few days the trio kept quiet, and after
dividing the spoils Billy Forester, as
stated, LETT New Orleans, accompanied
by Kenny, fot this city, where be- dis-
posed OF his sh are through Jim Hickey.
With the exception OF the centre stone
sold Angelo Mare, Kenny said he did
not know tor certain what had been
done with the sparks"
FORESTER UNDOUBTEDLY SATHAN's MUIR
DERER.
In 8 subsequent conversation with
Chief Athy he stated that he was GER
tain that Forester was the man who
murdered Nathan, the New York bank
er. No one but Forresters vile knew,
however, and as for her. he said
"Shes too fly to give Billy away.
Blonde Mollle, as Mrs. Forester is
fsmilliarly known by her associates in
this city, was the friend who conveyed
him the tools wherewlth to break jail
while be was incarcerated in our county
stronghold. and which he 80 conscien>
tiousIy turned over to Jsiler Jackson.
FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
Returning to this city Chief Athy and
Mr.. SCOOTER visited the bank where An
gelos pin is on deposit as security for
the appearance OF his brother John be
fore the Criminal Court for trial. As
soon as the pin was handed him, Mr.
SCOOTER identified the centre stone as
one stolen from him the night OF the
robbery. From other sources, the
Chief learned Of two other diamond
pins that had been disposed OF shortly |
after the robbery, and sendingior them,
they were also promptly identified by
Mr.. SCOOTER. The setting OF the last
mentioned had never been changed, the
gentleman purchasing them supposing
that all was right, and it wss to this
that Mr.. Schooler WAS indebted for his !
recollection of the pins. One OF them
is a small cluster, the other a solitaire
OF one karat. Chief Atby retained the
pins, and now has them in bis posses
sion. He Is now busily engaged in
looking up some other gems that were
sold here and then sent East
OF TEE THREE ROBBERS