New-York tribune., 1874-08-14
BLACK SHEEP OF THE POLICE.
POLICEMAN CAUGHT IN AN ATTEMPT AT bLAOA-
Mu1-TIE TRAP SET FOR HIS CAPTURE.

IA
A POLICEMAN CAUGHT IN AN ATTEMPT AT BLACK
MAII-THE TRAP SET FOR HIS CAPTURE
Two policemen, charged with blackmalling,
we're tried before Commissioners Disoecker ana Dur
yea Yesterday one OF the complaints being OF e1rao
dinarv interest William j. Ray. note broker hviHg az
the ST. Cloud Hotel, said that while passing Dy
the Astor House Friday morning July d. he
met an old acquaintance Charles j. Hess OF Coumous
Ohio After a brief conversation, Mr.. Hess TOOK out
a letter from friend ami asked him 10 read IT, lie
took the letter from Mr. Hesss hand and was about 10
read it when he sudd My remembered that he hao an
appointment 10 another friend at that moment IN
the Astor House He turned 10 Mr. Hess and, 0rleny
expaining the appointment, ran NJ the steps OF TIE
hotel with the open leuer in his hand. Not hn'lhE
his friend IN the Office, he then walked through
the hotel and out at the BaIclayst. entrance
intending 30 go 10 No Barclayst, where the irlend
who had made the engagement might otherwise BE- walk
ing out Of the hotel he met tail man "ho 20
his great astonishment seized him roughly by the arm
The man was IN civilians dress, but quickly displayed
a poicemau's shield and said that he was
Detective James Dcvins Of the Second Precinct De-
wins then said: Il saw you rob that oid man :
come around 70 Broadway" He explained TO the ohter
that the letter belonged friend and that he had not
robbed him. but Devins insisted upon his accompanying
him 10 the front Of the uoel Arrived there Nj Hess
d.Scaimed having been robbed; but Devns was IL
credulous and compelled them TO 60 10 the
Beekman-st. Station with him. The clrcum9tances
OF the arrest were detailed to the sergeant
on duty at the desk, the explanation was ac-
ccn;ed as satisfactory, and they left the station
That evening Mr. Ray went % the t1eaer and d!d not
get back 10 The -. Cloud Hotel unt near midnight.
The of re clerk told MIN mat policeman named Deyias
had called and asked TO him. and had waited for his
r,turD until nearly II o'clock The following day he
met a friend. W E Gilbert, who said: 81 was
n the Astor House to-day and was there
accosted by a detective named Dov.ns, Who asked me
II I knew y0u l said that 1 did. He then sad
that YOU would have 90 fix up tlat matter with the Oh
map." meaning Nr. Hess. I amazed at the mans
mpudencc. and thinking that he meant 70 Ddckmali
you suppressed Indignation. and told hlm tA"t you
urobabIv would be down town in the afternoon. He
rn.D sal that he wanted you 20 meet him al Pdik-r0w
and Auu-st at %. 10. I would meet him tAcrc, make
some arrangement 20 pas money disclose the aI4-T
20 the police and then when you had eot MN IN
the trap. spring II, and have lin arrested. NJ.
Rlv followed the advice given him by Gilbert. and
fulfilled the appointment with Devns Tie officer theu
stated plainly that 500 must be paid 20 him for further
silence conccruug the case. Devins apparently iu7g
med that the witness was attempting 20 swiudle Mr.
es when arrested az the AstOr House the day before
Tie officer also ntmated that any further attempt 70
cheat Mr. woull not be 'errupted by MIN II tie
money was paid To lure the officer on he, alter much
iemG1uc. consented To pay the sum demanded II was
louor saloon at Ann-st. ana Plrkrov on the Mon
day evening following. After the arrangement was
made D-yn- sad d" I am dead broke Just now can {
YOU give me some of The money IN advance He Pee
ped that ue lad very uJle money wit him. but could
give him a teW dollars He then gave Devll's so
BID. They then parted on the following day, sunday
Aug . Mr. Ray went 20 Police Headquarters and told
Inspector ms the attempt Of the officer 10 O.acSnail
Iuspector Dks advised him TO call the following day
upon superintendent Wang and relate the story 20 him.
Superuteudent Wa.llng up9n hearing the narrative
sad that would ne imu0ssle % arrest Deyns ln the
act OF backmauuC II the money was sent TO the iIuor
saloon Officers could not secrete themselves IN the
saloon and Devus might DE informed of their inteu-
ions Tie superintendent advised that Dev!ns
should be Iured If possible, to tue hotel.
Acting upon this advice be wrote 20 D.vIns, saying
tnat De found it impossible 70 make Arrangements
10 send the money tie liquor saloon N time, but tnat
tie money would be paid the 1oe, the latter would
call for 10 that evening Meantime Iu-rect'r NcDer-
mott had been informed % the plot by superintendent
W4llur. and had been ordered 10 assist 'Ir. Ray
I'D bis attempt 20 fastcu tie crime OF black
mailing upon Devius. Inspector NcDcrmott marked
VITA .cr. Pckott of the Tventv+econe Pr iuc. .n
an lIIuu- j. vu~ came az the appointed i.Ilr
Ger v3 ,...: ' am -ad 90 see that You are @ of
v.ur word" DrNus t.cl LETT me r10W. Ousii. OF le
four Ar met oy I4-I a,"r 1icDel'4'ti aA. -s-t.
PcE1t brought back aro r- room. and tAe mOley
recovered. such is NJ. Rays statement.
bills l- stated oy Nr Nlv, tuo concealed bans li p an
adjoining Ioom On rI'II. l2 De'-ts id me hd- ne
DO, nave the money. lie then lea the man back into
tae room ild CONFRONTED hin with l. y, "Lo ipon be-
Downs The witness a-d.n ask DeyIns tOr tI- money
and again refused. h- tIea told tHe ohccr tllt
said 4 40 -.rc wa DO person present strong enough 20
search nim. Having received orders trom Suprrnteui-
%Pq,sg-g % a 4ad T.,4gI m oi 3 ' & r, .,1 m Va. -
Ttt4r H trHft HrHfI .l -F
maa. He sent Mr. Ray ont 10 yet a policeman,
meantime guarding t-e prisoner Ray 'ogA re-
Broadway squad. H. then sHd, "D.yins Will
you permit Yourself ~ Dee searched now DeylnS re-
pied; viii not. Officers have certain rights II they
a., n,, ~ 4, ,r,, ~, NJ. ,,varo1,I,. i,,. mn, ,.,
seyeu-t StauOn-house and Tell the sergeant on duty
AZ desk send officers IN ciuzeus dress a once
m 80 AND down Tho r,,u T-,rt,5g -n3 ic
meant 10 throw away the money II
mere was chance give. lsn the witness turned away
lls heat for moment Devus saw bis opportunity Put
hs left hand IN his vasc0at POCKET ana Withdrawing
10, threw something On Cle floor Both Sergeant Pickett
aud tAc witucss saw the movement aud s-rgaaut
a. Ii fell IRON Delns's hand j. proved 20 he rue Two
shield away, and ~ declining TO make a complaint,
D,vius res .iation 10 superintendent wahuc
the following day Aug. I, but is acceptance Wa
fused. superintendent WiIung issued order sus-
pending the man from dutv ana be la. not been I'M tine
service OF the Police Department since Capt CtIrey
OF the second Precinct eudeavOred papers upon
him eiung Inn 10 appear before the Commissioners for
ual, but the accused refused receive them Devius
dd not appear Tor Ja yesterday, aud viii doubtless
dismissed from Tue Department at the meeting Of
Board OF Police tO-lay.
CdrOlue Paur OF No. 175 EsseI-st. asserted that
PatrOman James Over Of the Teutu Precinct haI
tempted 20 obtain $3.50 from ner By JldCkMailAg she
sId thdt the Olcct arrested her husband OF
robbery aud then, Girr taking prisoner court,
had returned ~ tue house he hid then her into
an empty room and said "GIve 500 and III settle
the CASE She had ndignautly refused.
IN defense the officer said that he returned TO the
mousse 10 search Tor money stolen the cOnplnants
husband, ana that she had misunderstood nlm about
lAe <1Jb reieIred to- The complaint dismissed.
ILE DEL W PIE .-LLuALL.-r.