The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-06
MASKED MEN.
Capture of the Burglars Of the
Rural Districts.
A Canal Street Den Of Thieves Broken Up by Cen.
tral0fice Detectives Eight Well Known Grim
inals Arrested-Details of the Police De-
scent and Particulars of the Robberies
in Westchester and Staten Island.

committing rODDerles IN masks throughout the
country, were arrested yesterday afternoon by De-
tectives Elder, Fields, Lsons and King. They gave
the names, when arragned before Captain Irving
In the detectives ONCE as John Burns, John
Thompson. Dan Kelly, Mathew McGeary, Francis
p. Keyton, Patrick Conway, Lawrence Grimm and
George A. MOllard. A large collection of burglars
tools, masks DISCUSSES and clothing were found in
the house where the arrests were made, and car.
ried to Police Headquarters. The prisoners were
locked up at the Central ONCE and will be detained
there until the various persons robbed can arrive
In the city TO identity them. For the past three
months the band of which these men are said to be
the principal members has been committing daring
burglaries in different parts OF the State and reports
OF their depredatOns have been constantly re-
ceived by superintendent Matsel during that time.
They worked in most systematic and business
like manner. creating the widest terror in the dis
tricts they visited Never satisfied with plumber
ing the houses they put the lives Of the inmates in
imminent peril. That they we're old hands was
evident to the police from the care taken to avoid
everything that would be at all likely to lead to
recognition OF any of them. and their capture was,
therefore,
DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS LABOR.
Some Jour miles below the village OF Catskill, on
the west bank OF the Hudson, resides Abram Post,
wealthy farmer. At about half-past six O'Clock
on the evening OF Friday, the 18th Of October the
family, comprising Mr.. ana Mrs. Post, their daugh-
ter, son and servant, sat down to supper. They
had not progressed far IN the meal when
the doorway leading from the main hall OF
the house to the dining room became suddenly
filed by six masked men. Quickly drawing re-
vovers, they placed them at the heads Of the
amazed family and warned them to keep quiet as
instant death would be the consequence of the
oil NTH foor fov,t
promised acquiescence. and then five OF the gang
held the family in check while the sixth hand
cured, bound and gagged them. The young lady
was spared this at 1rst but her GOODNESS and
nerve exasperated the thieves and they tied her
ALSO col0red servant who walked into the
room while this was going on was pinioned too,
and all the inhabitants being then helpless, the
work Of spOliation was begun. One man was left
to guard the captives, while the others
emptied bureaus, drawers, burst open trunks
ana ransacked closets. The only room
that escaped them was the sleeping
apartment OF the son, Edward Post and in 1t
were gold watch ana large amount OF money.
For fully an hour the rlning OF the premises con-
tinued, and then all the property was packed in
bags placed in wagon waiting In the vicinity
for the purpose, and driven away. The thieves,
feeling fatIgued from their labors. returned to the
dining room, sat down in the presence OF the help
less family, and ate Of the viands spread on the
table to their content. While enjoying themselves
at the table they laughed and jeered at the Posts
and, two or three OF them taking fancies to rings
on the fingers Of some OF the family pulled them or
and appropriated the property. Edward Post
made desperate EFFORTS to free himself. even in the
presence Of the robbers. but was unable to break
s ss wne es tns put h asae the he
seen two OF the party at the State Fair few days
before. The fellows laughed at him Tor his inno-
cence and continued the onslaught the cold tur-
key. Feeling satisfied with their nights doings at
that house, the burglars went away For more
condition the thieves left them. Edward, mana
ging to get his hands free from the handouts
the done In we're men 40
only SO inperfectly that they soon succeeded IN
getting these lmpediments away. He went as
quickly as possible into the village of Catskil and
told his story. The Sheriff and posse of police
moderate sense Of security. News Of the robbery
following day a reward Of $1,000 was Ofered BY Mr..
ARREST OF TIE sCoUNDRELs
The next intelligence Of this band heard of at
robbery had been committed at the house OF Mr.
William X. SOutter, q banker doing business ct
e. anS
In the principal street OF the village, and, like
most Of those on both sides OF the thoroughfre is
isolated Mr.. Soutter and his wife were in the city
spending the holidays with trends and the house
a man named Robert Armstrong. the coacnman
and groom. Mr.: soutter went to this house on
Tuesday, the soth Of December; the day OF the
same evening. About nine O'Clock at night,
while Armstrong ana the female servants
sudden entrance Of some eight or ten men, armed
and masked, who seized them, and, under threats
Of instant death, bound and gagged them. Arm
hQndCUfad WI fia6 IN
heavy pieces Of furniture. Another woman, who
was found IN bed up stars, was also bound and
all interruption or alarm, the robbers stationed
guard outside the house and proceeded systemati-
S to sne the Of they a ~ 9Sy
progress through the establishment heavy iron
safe that resisted the attacks of the jimmes they
quantity OF valuable family silver. All the property
discovered by the thieves was carried on and
giving an alarm. Toward six O'CLOCK IN tie morn
Ing Armstrong succeeded In partially freeing him.
sell, and reused the coachman and groom, who
servants and informed the local police of what had
taken place. BY this time, unfortunately, the
Of be Mr.
mated the value OF the property stolen from
him on this occasion at $1,000; The resi-
dence OF Mr.. Emmett, At New Rochelle known as
''The Cottage" was entered and robbed In the
same way, u Y said, Dy the same band aud large
safe was blown open and the family silver captured
Mr.. Emmett's brother. doing business In New York.
has offered reward or $1,000 for the arrest OF
the men. So completely was this gang equipped
that nothing seemed to be able to stand IN their
way. The tools and implements in their posses
sion were OF the latest pattern and most finished
description, and they appear to have enjoyed the
work OF demolishing the receptaces of valuables
which were always looked upon before as burglar
proof. Whatever ingenuity could suggest or skill
could turn out they brought into play, and hence
their easy progress through the most formidable
barriers. A safe in the ONCE of the Long island
Railroad Company at East New York, considered
perfectly secure, blown open by this party and
rined OF Its contents The news Of
THEIR DEPREDATIONS SPREADING
throughout Long Island and staten Island the peO-
pie became aroused to their danger and insecurity,
and IN several places committees OF safety were
formed to give the thieves reception. Cap
tain Irving, having received information on Satur-
day last that some Of these men were In the
city, he detailed Detectives Elder, Fields, Lyons
and King to hunt them down. These officers d.
vided themselves, and eacn took separate por-
ton OF the city to work In. Detective Fields, who
selected the lower west side OF the town as that
d.. nh h1 exu~A