The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-17
THE REILEY fROBBERY.
Detective wren,s Management OF the
Affair.

Affair."
LETTER FROM JUDGE GuIGoN TO MAYOR
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF a aPUT-UP
JoBn-wHY oSEt M THE PARTY OF.
BURGLARS WAS ALLOWED TO ESCAPE
EXPLANATION oFs MR.. WREN-MAYoR.
CARRINGToN ASSURES, TIE JUDGE THAT
THE MATTER WILL BE FULLY INvEsTI-
GATED.
The following orrespondenceis now for
the first time made public, though Judge
| Guigon's letter was briefly referred to in
these columns about week ago:
HusTNGs CoURT, Cry OF RICHMOND,
| RICHMOND, October 10, 1876.
Hon. Wiltiana @. Cdrringto on. Maaor !.
Dear Sir,-It appeared in evidence before
me on the trial Of John Adams, charged
with attempt at burglary upon the house Of
Thomas Kelley, that on tlieinight Of the at
tempt John Wren was put in command Of a
squad of four policemen and sergeant,
who were instructed by the Chief OF Police
( to obey his orders; that the police arrested
two men who have since been convicted and
sent to the penitentiary; that there was
with these men another named Beach, an ex-
penitentiary convict, who was permitted to
escape by order Of Wren, processing to have
such authority from the Chief. am fur
ther informed. that upon complaint Of the
police officers that they were prevented
from arresting the third man, John Wren,
a few days afterwards, brought to the sta
tion-house John Adams, the prisoner tried
and acquitted to-day, alleging that ne
was the man, and he was sent on. Not
only was there no evidence to connect this
man with any offence against the law, but
his witnesses were present to prove that 1t
was impossible he could have been the man.
It thus appeared that this man had been
picked up as substitute for the man Beach,
who was really present aiding in the attempt
ed burglary, and Mr.. Wise at once asked the
jury to ,acquit the prisoner. This inference
is confirmed by the statement OF the two
men who were arrested and convicted (made
after their conviction voluntarily to the Ser
geant Of the city, and in the presence OF the
COURT that Beach, the man allowed to es-
cape by the order Of Wren. induced them to
go with him to commit the burglary, and
that Adams had nothing to do with. it, and
knew nothing about it; that Wren, on the
trial of Adams, did not appear even as q
witness. There is no doubt on my mind,
nor on that OF the Common Wealth's Attor-
ney, that this is what in detective parlance
is called Ca put-up job ," that Beach was
the instrument OF the detective, Wren; that
he (Beach) prevailed upon the prisoners
who have been convicted; that he allowed
Beach, who induced them to commit the
burglary, to 60 free, nd5pretended that
Adams was the man, and subjected him to
the danger OF trial and Imprisonment TO
screen his instrument. A motive for such
conduct may readily be ascribed when ne
asks the Councillor reward for his exploit.
No community is safe where such lnfa-
nous practices are tolerated, and they
should be thoroughly ventilated.
Very respectfully, A. B. GU1GoN.
THE MAYORS REPLY.
:.i't :; MAYORS OFFICE, I
RICHMOND, VA. October II, 1876.
Judge d. B. Guigon, Hastings Court City
| of Richmord:' .-ss. ~: .s2- ~
ithank you for calling my attention to
the matter referred to in your favor OF yes
terday.
,'SI knew nothing personally or officially OF
the arrests Of the burglars, nor OF any SER
| vice rendered by John Wren,@ Esq, detec-
| tive, except as stated to me after the arrests.
| on being requested to approve the pay
ments Of claim to Mr.. Wren for services
rendered I declined to do SO, because l
doubted myright to take such. action, and
because, if my right was clear, would not
approves claim to detectives when the City
| Council, had twice SO emphatically declined
| to recognize their service-once In repeating
1.-The ordinance which allowed their existence
| as officials, and again in refusing to reinstate
| them on their application. ....,..
| The claim OF Mr.. Wren was then present.
ed, strongly endorsed by the Chief OF Police
and the Attorney for the Commonwealth,
stating he had rendered valuable service
and assistance; and Ithen endorsed 1t favor
ably, and referred it to the Council for deci-
sion. ..s,; -!..+.a1 NJ -,
| ON hearing the facts in court on yesterday
| T at once sought the chairman OF the COM
mittee to whom the Council referred 1t, and
asked that no action be taken until could
further advise the committee. 60
| Tt is also due the Chief OF Police and
Commonwealth's Attorney to say they
promptly recalled their approval OF MIR.
Wren's claim on hearing Of the facts to
which YOU refer until the matter could be
investigated.
: The action Of the Chief Of Police in fur
nishing any of his force to assist IN arrest
ine criminals was of course proper, no mat
fer from what source he receives lnforma-
tion and in the matter now in hand, While
he placed his detail under the command OF
one of his sergeants, they were moved as
directed by the informant, that the capture
might be made more certain by taking adj
vice from the one, who had all the informa-
ton. -,'',' 81.
The whole facts will be fully investigated
before services are paid for, as justice to the
city and to Mr.. Wren demands should&be
done. Most respectfully, yours,
~ w. C. CARRINGToN, Mayor.
-, MR. wREN's EXPLANATION.
El RICHMOND, October 16, 1876.
Hon. ". c. Darlington :;s,,s. =:
= Sir,-Understanding that an effort IS Delng
made to implicate me criminally In the at-
tempted burglary Of Reiley's house by sug-
eesting that the crime was put-up Job to
make reputation and a reward for myself,
and that these imputations are used to pre-
judice my prayer to the City Council Tor
some compensation for my services in de-.
tecting that crime, respectfully I present
your Honor this statement OF facts relative
to that matter as my complete justification:
| It is we'll known that my. business is that
| of detective OF crime. While this Is the
business by which earn my living, have
| always believed that, while 1t is to my IN
terest to discover criminals after crime has
been committed, it is my duty to prevent its
commission; and on that belief acted in
this instance. Every one understands that
| nv information in both cases must neces-
| sarily come from others, and throughout
the country and the world detectives every
where offer rewards Tor information Leading