The Rock Island daily Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1872-1873, 1872-12-06
A eANu OF fn1rvrs Aanrsrrp.
Some of Marshal Mit.ch'. Successful Strategy.

oomo Vi harbnal h1shcn . SUCCESSFUL strategy.
For several years this region has been
infested by a regularly organized band of
robbers. Their operations have been
principally carried on in Iowa, in the coun-
ties bordering on the Mississippi, and
Illinois has been used as rendezvous.
For the reason that this locality has been
made q depot Of deposit for stolen articles,
the members of the gang, when in this
vicinity, are usually very quiet. Many of
the gang have been up for petty larceny,
but evidence strong enough to convict could
never be adduced against any of them.
Yesterday (5th) Marshal Mitsch. and
his boys, assisted by Chief Heating from
over the river, succeeded in arresting three
Of the gang. The circumstances attend
ing the case are as follows: Last Sunday
morning the store of G. T. Coffee, at Mos
COW, Iowa, about thirty-f miles west of
this city, was burglarized of about $500
worth of goods. Monday evening the
police of this city were notified of the
affair, and description of suspected par
ties given them Wednesday afternoon
telegram was received from Mr..
Coffee stating that the three sus-
peeted men had left Wolcott On
the Milan road, about three miles from
this city, there is an old house which has
been suspected to be rendezvous for
thieves for some time, The family resid-
ing there consisted of James Loudon and
his mother, George Williams and William
Brown, the latter brother in-law of Lou
don. Yesterday forenoon THE 5th) Mar
shal Mitsch and his boys made raid on
the house They found Loudon on bed
and Williams n a chair reading
As Mitsch went in one of them laughed
and the other inquired what was wanted.
In the meantime the quick eye of the Mar
shai had discovered pair Of gloves and
several other articles lying about the room,
answering the description given of some of
the stolen goods. The two men were i'm
mediately arrested and the house thor
oughly searched. The female accomplices
made great rumpus; the old bag in par
ticular being almost crazed with rage.
There is little doubt that the old woman
herself is deserving of the penitentiary,
For years she has been known to keep dis
reputable characters in her house, and she
is believed to be guilty of being accessory
to many crimes. The men were taken
over the river and lodged in Jail.
This was considered a very good days /
work by the officers, but it remained for
our wiley Boss to cap the climax by the
arrest of the ring leader. His name is
William Brown, and no Impractical eye
would imagine that he was the desperate
character he is said to be Tall we'll
formed, with good-looking features, and
weIl-dressed, the ordinary observer would
mistake him for a gentleman He was ar
rested about four O'Clock in the afternoon
by Marshal Mitsch, while driving a team
attached to heavy wagon along Illinois
street BY little subterfuge the Marshal
him to cross the river and settle
he matter up. As soon as he reached the
'ther side he was arrested by the Iowa
Ulcers and lodged In Jail.
Mr.. Coffee was shown the goods found
With them, last evening, and identified
most of them as having been in his store.
\ meerschaum pipe found in the house has ,
'een identified as one which was stolen
rom Gen. A H. Sanders residence in
september
The prisoners were taken to Wilton this
morning for examination