The New York herald., 1877-10-21
JOSHUA L. TAGoARr, DETEcTIvF.

Joshua L Taggart, tho eldest bcst known detec-
tive oicer or Philadelphia, died ut his residence, No
500 South Tenth street. Friday evening. He in
his 1iiy second year. and had suffered from soitenng
OF the brain for some time past In his long
a detective he earned reputation tor honesty zoal,
courugeousncss and intelligent activity HIS
cess proverblal, and having been connected with
sonic famous ol the timo his travels
in search OF criminals have taken him to all parts Of
this country and TO Europe and South America. Ia
the early days OF tho voiunteer nremen's organlza.
ton, whom Philadelphia had earned the unsavory rep
utat!on Of having the most dangerous Class OF roughs
10 be found IN any city except Baltimore, SIR.
Taggert was gwen police command OF the old Moya-
mensIng district where the rival nrcmcn's fights
most frequent. His bravery, indomitable deterni
and skill enabled MIN to control the Awess-
ness OF the roughs, ana they never aitcrward were
permitted the dlsgracoiul or the past
Mr. Taggart served in the army during tho rebellion
and rejoned tho force upon It's conclusion. since
1872 however, he has been connected with an lnde.
pendent agency.
during his career MS a detective he made many i'm.
porttnt arrests, and recovered vast stolen
properly. For the Winthrop Bank, OF Maine roDDed
u short time ago. he obtained back $4,000. one VI
the famous Cases with winch Mr. Iaggert
nected the Snow kidnapping case, attracted
much attention at the time one OF Mr. Taggart's
associates In Philadelphia tolls the story as ioows:-
'-rhcre had been big rooocrics--tne silk
house OF Bancroft, Beaver Co., oil MArket street,
and the lace house OF Mr. Curry, on Arch street.
$4,000 worth OF silks from tho former
and tho value Of 81 900 from the latter. Tho
work was skiiiuiiy dooe by notorious gang of bur-
glars, OF wnom Dr. Fitch and Old fom Walker
the leading sprtts Two OF the young members OF tho
gang were captured, who turucd States evidence on
their comrades, aud IL was asceraincd that EphraIn
Snow, living III New York. had come here and pur
chased all the goods from the gang. snow had long
been suspected vi dealing IN stolen goods, aud requi-
siton obtained Tor his arrest He was brought
here gwen preliminary hearing and held IN slo 700
bail for his appearance at court wealthy man Nv
ing IN the lower part OF the city, named GbOoid Har
ris, became bal Tor snow, VINO set at liberty.
i When trial called snow est HIS
| bail forfeited and execution Issued against
Harris, property. Ilen Harris conceived no idca
OF having snow returncd IN hopes vi recovering his
| SO. 900, and no gave the matter into Iaggarts
hands, who discovered tnat Snow had gono
i Hamilton, Canada. He went there without warrant
or roquison, and after shadowing SHOWS house Tor
several days nin 10 the theatre night with
i hls wife During the performance ho secured car.
ruge and good and by telegraph arranged Tor
relays enable him TO reach the American side. When
handcuicd hurried him OIL to the waiting cab.
HIS vile set up a cry ana attracted inquiring
crowd, who gathered around the carriage demanding
M explanation. Taggart turned to the crowd ana
quiety sara, There Is nothing tho matter herethis
has only committed murder! Tho crowd AZ
this fell back and before they had time
Shows wife explain. the carriage driven of and
Snow taken To this side oi tho Suspension Bridge be-
lore rescue attempted. lie tried anu gwen
fye years Then Harris attempted To recover MS
money The went from court TO court till the
prome Court was reached aud each time the decision
against Harris despite the efforts Of the ablcst
lawyers at the Bar The $40 Ov0 used 10 reimburse
tho parties who had been robbed"