The New York herald., 1877-01-13
ASTORIA'S MASKY RAIDERS.


PATRICK CULKIN COMMITTED-THE GANG
''sQUEALING" ON ONE ANOTHER.
The preliminary examination OF Patrick Culkin,
arrested for completely in the Astoria robberes took
place yesterday before Recorder Parsons that place
The prisoner, who is o notorious character, cap
tured on Wednesday In 'Owney" Geoghehan's saloon,
No. lob Bowery, and turned over TO the
Astoria authorities. District Attorney Benjamin
W. Downing was present and conducted the
examination Mrs. Louisa Hitler was first
sworn and detailed the action OF the burglars In her
house on the night Of the robbery The prisoner then
stood up, with q handkerchief tied around his
head concealng his face below the eyes, and soft felt
hat drawn down over his forehead. Mrs. Hitler could
not positively identify him one Of the robbers. but
thought he was one OF the two men who packed the
bags with clothing and other articles stolen. While
stooplug the mask dropped of of their faces,
and she was inclined TO think he was the man. Miss
Annie Hitler also sw-rn, but could not identity tho
prisoner. She remembered one man distinctly and he
is not among those she has already seem
THE PRIsoNER's STATEMENT.
The prisoner Is unprcpossessing fellow tall and
slim, OF his eyes is larger tho other. In
the District Attorney he said his real name
Patrick Culkn that he had an nlias and was
never known by the name OF Whitley; he resided with
his father and mother n, No. 331 East Thirty fourth
street. and lived there month and days; pre-
vous TO that time passed eleven months on Black.
Wells Island for carrying burglars tools; also served
two years and six months In State Prison for attempted
burglary IN New York city; seventeen months
elapsed between the two terms; was boiermaker
by trade hu, did not work during that time
Island December o. In answer TO the charge oi being
connected with the Astoria robberies the prisoner
said h. inew nothing about them except what
Captain Murray. VINO arrested him, told him; at
home thai night at half-past ten; didn't know Fatty
James; never was in the Fourth ward an hour except
the night of his arrest; didn't know McCarty, Schmidt
or Jack Robcrts the latter was once pointed TO
him. but he mover spoke to him left homo the night
he was arrested account OF some friends who came
to stop there; went down town to get bed and
stopped at Geogheghan's to get drink; Pat
rick Purcell or Whitley; Captain Murray told him that
ne answered Whtey's description; that he had an eye
like Whitley
The prisoner added that he was twenty thrce years
old and born New York city. He protested against
being held and asked that the other who claimed
10 know Whitley be confronted with him. Recorder
Parsons committed MIN to await the action OF the
Grand Jury. Before being taken back TO prison Cul.
ready for trial but (aughng) suppose II you don't
find him, l he sent up to serve twenty years in his
place. suppose you want to all It out somehow; but,
SO help me God this is the first time have been on
Long Island ior litcen months" Culkin will be taken
to Hampstead Jail to-day.
Tho announcement that three OF the prisoners had
confessed to their completely in the crime denied.
They have, however, Sgnned their willingness (Jamcs
Mccarthy and RiIeyl to plead guilty providing the
District Attorney will interccde with the Court for
light sentence James says III VIC can't get light
attempt" They are particularly severe on Captain
Murray whom they threaten with death should
they ever get out Mccarthy, the youngest
and most laxative Of the gang stated yes
terday TO ofacer Fanry. of Long Island City, that
Roberts and Schmidt were not with them on the
night OF the burgarics; that himself and Riley went
to Astoria alone in boat reachipg Green's dock just
as the rest OF the gang leaving Green's house,
but that they went to Hilliers place. 81 thought said
Mccarthy 'that was all right at the exam nation,
until Mr.. Hitler identified me; then that tho
jig up" Mccarthy also that after leaving
Hlier's, aud while In the boat, there was quarrel
as to the division or the punder at
which James became erraged and shot
of their NUMBER the wound, however,
was slight After which the party landed on the New
York Shore 106th sreot, and hid the stolen property
at Yorkville 1t then determined to separate and
meet again on the following evening and divide.
James Mccarthy and Riley the place and found
stolen by Pat Caray, who was arrested on Thursday,
and the man who was shot IN the boat All that Nc
Carhy received from the proceeds OF the pratca
pedition being $5 and cigar holder
The three men, James, Mccarthy and Riley, will
without doubt plead guilty upon arraignmcnt. James,
who IS the desperate OF the gang feels hurt that
the police should think him such a ool as to take
cowardly like Schmidt with him such OK.
pedtion, for II he did not fall down with lear no
would give them ali away. third search OF James
was made yesterday by order Of the Sheriff. and a
large carving knife found sccroted in the lining of
his ovcrcoat The knife, he stated. he had ordered
mn Ia cxn for Sheriff