The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-01-26
DETECTIVES GULLED.
THEY ARREST THREE INNOCENT MEN FOR ROB-
Berry

THEY ARREST THREE INNOCENT MEN FOR ROB-
Berry.
As stories of the doings detectives are in order
just now the following tale is timely. 1t does not
Immediately concern the New York detectives
but 1t shows how nearly Ike their methods are
some OF the processes OF their Boston brethren.
Doubtless the New York officers Will be glad OF the
exposure, for It proves.bat there are black sheep
in other 1ocks than their own. But, If they look
at The matter clearly, they VIII discover that the
following story cOnvicts the Boston men OF IN.
competency, OF woelul laundering only. And,
by the way, it would be well il they could learn
that stupidity, when accompanied by honesty,
though not attractive, is yet respectable.
On the morning Of Wednesday last, the 10th
inst, two young men, VINO are named John s.
Edwards and George Lake, were arrested at the
corner OF waverley place and Sixth avenue by
Detectives Capp and King, who were both then
members OF the Central Oface squad. They we're
In the company Of their wives and some friends
at the tlme and were on their way to the Cunard
dock, at which Mrs. Lake was to embark for
trip to Europe. Both men we're taken to the Police
Headquar iers. ard were searched in the presence
OF superintendent wang. they were not in
formed why they were arrested, but were con-
fined In a cell and permitted TO rack their brains
to discover the reason. Alter few hours OF i'm
prlSOuHicub bIicy WcIc again DEOuRuL inLO Tue
detective once. where they saw Captain Irving,
with Two Boston detectives, named Hunt and
Stombs. and man named George Hammond.
They were then told that they were arrested as
the robbers Of the County VreSsufer's Office in
Portland, Me-, In the latter part OF December,
and that the warrant for their arrest
s Ws paey on Mane auS naon yor GSS
ton sworn 10 by the man Hammond.
Tney were also told that they had a been dsn iaed
James hayes and George Thompson ana that
man named Webb, who was likewise in custody,
had been declared by their accuser to be
THBlR ACooMrILCE IN THE ROBBERY
in Portland, to be named McWiliarns All three
prisoners protested against their arrest, but the
their peculiar police parlance, that their imprson
that they had watched Edwards and Lake Tor
three weeks before they had called upon the New
YORK officers to arrest them, and had lust searched
the apartments OF the prisoners, ana the trunks
OF Mrs. Lake, put had not discovered anything to
confirm the charges OF Hammond. Yet IL was
their duty, they said, to take their prisoners to
name. At first ali three prsoners-Ed wards
Lake and Weob-determined to apply through
counsel for writs OF habeas corpus On the morn
Ing OF Thursday last they were brought from the
Police Headquarters TO the Snerln7s Office. where
the FIRST two men agreed 10 20 on 10 Portland
and there prove their innocence OF the crime I'M
puted to them. Webb, however, was not so COM
placent. HIS counsel made application Tor a writ
OF nabeas corpus. and he was, therefore sent BACK
to Police Headquarters. where he was confined
nul yesterday morning
The Boston detectives, Hunt and Stombs,
started with their prisoners for Portland on
Thursday afternoon. HammOnd also accompanied
them Lake and Edwards say that the detectives
treated them kindly and made no secret ol their
belief tnat Hammond had wiliully gulled them by
causing them to
ARREST INNOCENT PERSONS
criminals. Their conversation so alarmed
hammond, IL Is said, that he only went with tue
party rs far as place called Salmon Falls, N. H.,
where ne secretly lett the tram. Detective Hunt
also departed from them on the way TO Portland.
On tho arrival OF Lake ana Edwards and Detective
StOmbs IN Portland they learned that the real
James Hayes was con ned In the jail here, and
consequently 1t was proven Immediately that
Hammond Was wrong IN declaring Lake to be
Hayes Other evidence was also procured that
neither I.aSe nor Edwards were the robbers OF the
County Treasurers office, and both men were
therefore discharged rom custody. rhey sfarted
for New York as speedily as possible, and arrived
here sunday last Yesterday they visited
Police Headquarters and were the OBJECTS OF much
sympathy expended by the police officials there,
and they we're advised oy indignant detectives to
convey their tale OF sorrow 10 The newspapers.
what was the object OF the detectives IN giving
such advice can only be cOnJectured. Perhaps It
viii be con5oatory TO the New York officers n they
are again assured that there are stupid fellows
called detectives In other cities as well as In this
mr.