Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1878-12-18
FAIRFlElD's SENSATION,


Robbery and Abduction, II Nothing Eorse--
Arrsst Of the "Fty Mem"
For many months Fairfield has
been agitated over q series OF burgla-
ries, in which goods were stolen to q
considerable amount and in such q
workmanlike manner as to leave no
clue to the thieves. During all this
time q number of suspicious charac-
tiers have been shadowed and watch
kept over their every movement, but
without avail, and when Eichorn's
burglary and that at the Southwest.
ern occurred 80 closely together the
officers put forth more strenuous eff
forts than usual, and determined to
accomplish something.
Among the suspicious characters
who have made this their home was
one John Gregg, brick duet blonde
Of great muscular development, who
prided himself on his feet feet and
his skill with his fingers-and the
kings and queens. Gregg was foot
racer, and also "played little draw"
He siways had money and took the
world easy, vas q married man, AND
had companion named Jim Blair,
who wac not looked upon with very
good grace. Tuesday morning OF
last week complaint was made TO the
officials that these two worthless had
jumped the country, taking with
them Dung girl, Rachel johnson
by name, aged about Ii, whose moth.
er, poor. Woodworking widow liv-
ing in the CITY, was almost distracted
over the loss of her child. Wednes.
day q search of Gregg's house was
made by Marshal Coffin, and the bulk
OF the goods stolen at Eichorns re-
covered, as we'll as those stolen at the
depot, and Mrs. Gregg, who was hv-
ing at the house, was put under ar.
rest. kilograms were soon sent ou,
for the arrest Of the two men and the
girl. Friday . telegram was received
by Sheriff Hughes from Gallatin, Mo-,
telling him to come at once to Tren-
ton. Deputy Chester started, and ar
irving there found Blair and the girl
under arrest, and then went to Gala.
tin to arrest Gregg, but as q Missouri
sheriff went In at one door the man
with the feet feet went out the other
and escaped. Word to the sheriff
from Cameron says he Is under arrest
there already, and we hope there is
no mistake about 1t. 1t now appears
that on Monday of last week Blair
and Gregg hired q rig at one of our
livery sta bles, and getting the girl in,
drove to Libertyville in time to take
the train south. Blair brought the
team back and followed the pair on
the night train, going to Ottumwa.
Blair refused to return without re-
QUESTION, and Sheriff Hughes went
to Des Moines, got the necessary pa
pers and started south Monday night.
He will probably bring the trio
home tomorrow, when the TWO men
will have q preliminary examination
on the scharge Of burglary-the two
ofenses mentioned above being traced
directly to them, as also the burglary
of Burnett's hardware store last sum-
mer. Should these charges not stick,
they could be tried for abduction
and in all probability some worse
crime. Mrs. Gregg, prepossessing
young woman, with her young babe,
10 still in jail. She 10 close-mouthed
and claims that she knows nothing Of
crooked, but it is thought
best to hold her. Mrs. johnson, the
mother Of the hayward girl, says she
was enticed away by promises of fine
clothes and other reward, and an.
nounces q firm determination to send
her to the reform school as soon as
she arrives home.
After the arrest and falling of these
parties Fairfield parties will rest more
easy than they have for months. AL
most nightly attempts were made to
enter some ones house, and number
of very successful burglaries have
been perpetrated within tho past few
months, and NO doubt Gregg and
Blair could tell something about sew
eral of them. So we're all glad they're
In for it.-Fdtrfeld Ledger.