The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-23
KNIGHTS OF THE ROAD.

eAILon wAYLAID AND ROBBED IN WASHING
TON sTREET-THREE OF THE DEsPERADoEs
ARIEsTED-A BRAVE AND EFFICIENT POLICE
MAN.
A daring highway robbery was committed early
yesterday morning IN the Of Now York. The
victim was sct upon by -four despcradoes, knocked
down. gagged and robbed Of his money. Fortunately
vigant policeman was near by, and with bravery
ana fcarlessness mcrtng the highest praise captured
single handed two OF tho ruflans Subsequently no
went the trail OF third aud succeeded huntng
him down, and fourth and last will also probably
be brought TO justice within twenty-four hours his
haunts well watched.
Tho scene of tho outrage at the OF WASH
ington aud Cedar streets, and the time halfpast
O'Clock IN the morning Tho deserted and
nothing could be heard the faint tinklng Of the
street car bells the distance. AT this time Peter An
dcrson, sailor, late the steward Of chip which
wrecked near Aspinwa, walking to his boarding
house, No "a Albany street. The man Of the was,
the police say, little the for liquor but never.
thclcss fully able to find his way unaidod.
mGHwAYMES MAKE THEIR ArrEARANcE.
Hc had just passed the corner OF Cedar street when
the sound OF quick footsteps caused him to look
around In a moment he found himself In the strong
grasp OF four powerful young men, ono OF who
. quickly stiGed his cries by tying q handkerchief
orous blow in tho face reminder that strug-
Cling would DO unavailing But the sailor, not
by tho odds, fought desperately and
aged TO get strong hold on the collar OF OF his
assailants The robbers, finding that nothing short of
the utmost vigor would succeed. quickly caught hun
by the throat, aud, knocking him down. choked him
almost to inseusib Then OF them r1cd
pockets taking thereirom roll Of bills amounting to
While the robbery was going on officer Stephen NC.
Dcrmot OF The Twenty precinct, was patrol
Ing his post on Washington street, few blocks dis.
Ho hnurd et.fr nnn1g und IN N IA
distance the bending figures OF four men. Graspng
his club he started at double quick Tor the spot;
reaching them inst as the highwaymcn discovered his
presence. McDermott took in the situation at
glance, and with one hand cutchcd one OF the men
while with the other he sounded the alarm rap Tor
assistance.
A LESSON TO POLICEMEN
Then, swinging his cub, he Icvccd one OF the rob-
bcrs 10 the ground aud stli holding on to his prs
oncr dragged aim along after another oil tue VINO
had just recovered from his surprise, and was lew
feet away preparing TO take flight The officer grabbed
HIM with the dsengascd hand Thc other txo by
this time block oil, and tho brave policeman
holding with grips OF iron his Two prisoncrr babe tho
dazcd and bleeding sailor follow him 10 the station
house. The latter place was only short distance
away and in nvc minutes tho prisoners we're safely
within its walls. There the sa.lor fully identiGed
them aud the money found IN their possession.
The prisoners gave their names William Hickey,
aged nineteen years, living at No 90 Washington
street. and John MITCHELL aged eighteen years. OF No.
125 Washington street. The former claimed TO be a
blacksmith by occupation and the later laborer.
The prisoners safely locked up, Ofiiccr McDcrmots
starred out IN quest of The remainder OF the gang.
Sullivan, whom he caught in tho "Pckwick, wash
iDgion street boarding house. on his person the
officer iouna bloody handkerch cf. IN which were
wrapped TWO knives The prisoner denied all knowI-
edge Oi the robbery, but the officer expressing nn
belief that he one OF those who escaped ne was
also locked up Tho fourth and last was stu at lib
crty and Captain SAUNDERS determined TO catch him,
seat her officers TO watch lie was wont TO ire
qucnt lie being known TO Oinccr McDcrmott, the
latter also Search and the arrest OF tho
highwayman regarded by Captain Saunders as Ger.
tain.
| ARRAIGxgp AT TIE ToMBs
! The prisoners orragncd at the Tombs Police
Court before Judge Duly the sailor appearing rs COM
pIainanI The laticr's face was considerably swollen
IRON the effects OF his beating He positively dcni
him. but he could not idcntiy sullivan. Judge Duny
thercupon held the former IN So 600 bail each TO
answer, and rcmandcd sullivan back 10 tho Church
street station house 10 give Captain Saunders OPP
portuuty to procure Morc positive evidence against
| him.
The prisoners known TO the police young thieves
and dcseradocs and members Of the notorious First
Ward stable Gang, called because oil dlapidacd old
stable in lower Washington street being their head
quarters Hickey especially represented as vicious
| character having served number of terms IN tho
Pcnucntiary, Notwithstanding HIS youth, and also a
two years and six months term in Sing sing
Ufhccr McDermott was heartily congratulated yes
terday by Captain Saunders who will officially bring
the occrs achievement TO the notice Of che Board Of
! Commissioners.