The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-02-18
THE MASKED BURGLARS.


of Nocturnal Violence Told by the
Victims-lhc Prisoner Identified as
ssCaptain of the Gang.''
large number of persons, embracing nearly
all classes or society and including not lew OF
the gentler sex, assembled at White Plains, West
chester county, yesterday morning, 1t having been
well and widely understood that the trial OF the
now notorious "masked burglars" would take
place in the Court of Sessions. Shortly after County
Judge Silas d. Clifford and Messrs. Howe and Silk
man, Justices OF Sessions, took their seats on the
bench and it became known to the anxious spec
tators that ''Patsyn CONWAY, alias "Conroy," was
the only one OF the four imprisoned desperadoes
whom they could gaze upon, Keeling OF dsap
pontment was observable both in the looks and
actions OF the immense throng which crowded the
court room Immediately upon the doors being
opened. The prisoners, 1t appears, by advice OF
their respective counsel, have eacn demanded
separate trial, ana knowing the desperate situa
ti0n in which they are placed, Will doubtless inter.
pose most ingenious defence IN eacn successive
HOW THE PRISONER APPEARED.
Conway, whO with his c0nfreres is charged with
burglary in the first degree ana grand larceny, APP
peared IN q comfortable business suit, and seems
ceration in the jail He took seat near his coan-
sci, John d.. townsend, and tried hard to look
composed Later IN the DAY woman supposed
to be his wife, and carrying a child In her arms
sat near the prisoner, VINO, more than once during
the AFTERNOON, appeared to be In close conversation
After about an hour had been spent in empane-
ling jury the case ior the people Was opened IN q
brief though comprehensive address by District
Attorney Briggs, who Immediately afterwards
called the first witness in behalf OF the prosecution
TESTIMONY FOR THE PEOPLE
John p Emmett testified that he lived in the
house OF his sister, Miss Lydia Ii. Emmett, which
is situated aoout two miles north OF New Rochelle;
awoke IN his bed to lind five men standing over
him. all OF them being masked, ana each individ-
pistol IN the other He was promptly handcufed
and told to keep quiet by the masked men, who
tanned and also the number OF Occu pants. They
then demanded the safe key and
THREATENED TO SHOOT HIM
If he did not produce it. The witness detailed how
the remainder OF the inmates were secured, and
identified the prisoner as one OF the men VINO en-
tered his bedroom several times to ask the where.
abouts OF various articles, while .Dan" Kelly was
standing guard over the entire household From
was Impressed with the belief that he Conway
Was captain of the gang. The witness also testl-
fed to several articles OF Jewelry, watches, wear
ing apparel, &c, which were carried away by the
burglars, VINO, besides breaking open tue safe.
ransacked every room in the house.
during discrimination by prisoners coun-
sci the witness did not devlate from the spirit or
the letter OF his direct testimony.
Miss Lydia ii. Emmett sister oil the last witness,
testified to seeing the masked men in her house on
the morning questions; that they took her to her
Drotaers room anu tnere eIt ter we hey b
was not able to recognize any OF the parties, eX-
cepting that the prisoner resembled In size the
| man who
DEMANDED HER RINGS
ana threatened to gag her II she did not produce
| them. . Ga.
william Baxter, an FISHERMAN living at CITY
Island testified that at about seven O'Clock on the
morning of December 3d. ne was accosted oy SIX OF
seven men, who were carrying vallses ana VINO
offered him So to take them across the noaha 10
Long Island: he subsequently 1erried them across
in his saIlboat and landed them at treat Neck
dock, on Long Island; he - ua
POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED THE PRISONER
az being one OF the party; the men SAID they had
heen to a prize fight and wanted To leave West
CHESTER before the sheriff overlook them they all
wore slouched hats, and endeavored TO conceal
their features as much as possible while on the
boat. -. .s.,u, -. -.,.,
nv MIR Townsend, but firmly adhered to his former
tsstimony and asserted to the last that he could
not he mistaken as to the identity of Conway.
Mary Lyons, colored woman, employed as cook
on board the steamboat Sewanhaka, testified TO
furnishing breakfast TO seven men after the
steamer left Great Neck dock on the morning in
question, and fully identified the prisoner as being
one OF the number. She also testified that the
men carried black valises some o. which were
produced In court and Identified by her.
during her cr0Ss-eAafnnation the witness was
decidedly stubborn, her quaint answers to counsel
Tor the defence occasionally convulsing the Court
and audience with laughter.
Al nve O'CLOCK an adjournment was announced
until nalfpaSt nine O'Clock this morning.