The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-11
THE MASKED MISCREANTS
How the Robbers Appeared in Court at
White Plains Yesterday.
oners Valves Examination
for the Action of the Grand Jury

Since the execution OF BuckhOut the village OF
White Plains, Westchester county. has not wit
messed such an innux OF visitors as congregated in
and around the Court House yesterday morning.
1t is almost needless to state that the crowd had
been attracted by notices In the daily papers set
ting forth that the ''masked burglars" "Dan''
Kelly, "Patsey' Conroy and Larry" Grimm, would
have further examination before Justice Porter,
OF New Rochelle. Long before the time set down
for the hearing the Court House was fairly besieged
by an excited throng. which Aled the passage
ways. rendering access by the sherids almost i'm
possible.
Tue half-rast ten O'Clock train from New York
brought up Detectives King, Field, Elder and
Lyon. who had in their custody "Binyn Woods,
alias Burns, notorious member Of the gang OF
robbers whose outrageous acts are now well
known to the pubic. When the doors OF the court
room were thrown open the anxiety OF the crowd
to secure desirable positions dehes adequate de-
scriptIon. In few minutes every available seat
was filed scores OF the spectators being glad to
content themselves with standing room, while
every eye was strained and every ear advantage
Ousy poised to detect the slightest indication OF
the commencement OF the proceedings. The Gu
riosity Of tie spectators was gratined by the
appearance OF the detectives, who entered the
court room by side door, bearing two or three
wEIGHTY HAND TRUNKS,
while Detective Elder seemed to bend under load
OF iron, which resembled several massive crow
bars, on his shoulders. The detectives at once
commenced to spread out on large table the null
tifarious implements and articles which they cap
tured at the robbers den in New York. The heavy
steel tools alluded to were sectional .Jimmies"
which, when connected by the detectives. meas
ured six or eight feet In length and pre-
sented decidedly formidable aspect 1t
would be in vain to attempt enumera-
ton OF the articles spread before the wondering
gaze or the spectators. Every instrument known
W the burgariOus fraternity was there as were
also dark lanterns, DISCUSSES, hats and numerous
court room, inside OF the bar enclosure resembled
wen stocked country hardware store.
At eleven O'Clock Justice Porter took his seat on
the bench and ordered that the prisoners including
"Biily" Woods, be brought into Court. This order
in few moments escorted Conroy and Griffin to
seats within the bar enclosure and Immediately
'A0'DS 'De as s.1HY ouT', OF HARDWARE
Conroy looked troubled, while Griffin made
Sx ATTEMPT to to the
gaze rom the table on which the implements lay.
Deputy Ford lett the court room again, and imme-
by Colonel Fellows counsel for the prisoners In
response to a question by Justice Porter, Colonel
Fellows announced his readiness to proceed with
the examination and asked what course the Jus
tlee intended to pursue In regard TO the prisoner
Woods; Justice Porter replied that he would re-
pose OF them before taking up the case OF Woods.
Colonel Fellows then requested to see the warrant
upon which Woods had been taken from New York.
Alter quietly peruslng the document named Col
onel Fellows said that, in regard to the OF
Kelly, COnroy and Griffin, he would not at present
interpose any defence. There were several rea-
sons, he said, why he had arrived at this conclu-
sion, not the least among them being the difficult
ties to be encountered In securing the attendance
OF witnesses on such short notice. He was not In
sensible to the great crime which had been COM
mitted, nor to the excitement under which the
community was ahOring, as was plainly ev,nced
| by the crowded court room. While he did not dee m
| 1t strange that
THE POPULAR WRATH
was aroused, he not willing to submit the fate
his clients to the storm Of public feeling which
] had been raised against them Under this state OF
anairs he did not believe that the defence which he
hoped at future time to make availing before an
other tribunal would be advantageous ut present,
suaged the feeling Of existing against the
prisoners who were simply men accused OF q crime
Even in the case OF Kelly there was only uncer
tain iden LITIGATION by Mr.. Emmett while no person
house. Even Il It we're established that Kelly
Grifin and Conroy went over in the small boat
robbery.
Colonel Fellows also dwelt forcibly on that point
| that the testimony of the b0atmen went to show
that only six men went across the river, while MIR.
| Emmett testified that seven men composed the
party which robbed his house. He concluded by
waving all further examination OF the four prison.
ers. who were thereupon taken back to jail TO
await the action OF the Grand Jury, which meets on
| the first Monday OF February.
Mary Lyons, colored woman employed as COOK
taken to White Plains yesterday by the detectives
for the purpose OF Identifying BILLY" Woods. In
her an1daviG before Justice Porter Mary set forth
that she furnished breakfast to Woods and SIX
Der 20, and That each OF them had In his possession
either a valise, trunk or bundle.