The New York herald., 1878-11-21
"a RETIRED GENTLEMAN"

LAIiIls-lIIs PINAL CAPTURE.
From the Sheffield Telegraph, Nov ~
We are glad to be able to lay before our readers
the following interesting particulars OF the career
of Charles Peace, the Peckhain burglar. since the
murder of Mr.. Arthur DYSON at Banncrcross.
on the night of the goth of November. 1876. His
career in this life, 1t was said was closed for he
had made away With himself. But Peace not such
fool ~ that, for he had finished the
der than ho took TO his old game of burglary.
vocation which appears to have had q
curious attraction for him. Subsequent events
have proved that Peace went to Hull, and
there replaced his waning funds by breaking into
gontiemans house. from which he extracted a large
quantity OF plate and valuable ewelry. From thence
after realizing on his spoil, he repaired to Noting
ham, where near relative resides, and with her lie
took mp his quarters. Although il well known
that there was heavy reward offered for his appre
honsion 1t did not that any of his
relatives considered it advisable to state who
was in the midst of them. After effccting
very clever warehouse robbery, in which silk
goods were the principal booty Peace appears to have
dangerous. and he again changed his abode Thus
it will be seen that the Sheffield auhorties
to Hul but there had lost sight Of him. 1t was be-
Eeved that he had escaped to the Continent. Bat not
SO, the fox HAD doubled" and in the Midland cour-
ties, with Nottingham for his centre, was continuing
his depreiations.
UP TO LONDON.
On reaching London four or FIVE months
after the murder he not very we'll on for money
and he took up his residence in Lambeth. The police
in charge of this district then became aware
dations were committed in the district. There was
scarcely a night passed but burglary was
statement followed that the thieves had not been
caught The valuc of the booty thus secured was ex-
ceedngly great and the thevesfor they then be-
loyed to be gang-werc said to be well rewarded for
their ardaity. But the place appears to have become
hot for him. and lie then removed to Greenwich,
where ho occupied beautiful house and commenced
furnish it extensive What
Peace failed in it not iii the want of sclfas-
and the belief that he could pass through 30
ciety IS gentleman. Though he had repulsive fea-
lures he appears to have had winning ways in the
eyes of some, for he now appears to have decided
tunes This lady" may perhaps fg,ira else- lse-
where shortly, and her name will then be found
in the police record But the establishment could not
be kept up without ''ineans," and again came the
last resort. Peace had described himself to the new
sphere OF respectable neighbors among whom he
now moved as a gentleman Of independent means'
and he was looked up to one who had
done well in the world. But there were
burglaries in the neighborhood. and Green
wich became almost noted for these classes Of
deprcdations rs Lambeth had been, But there was
this difference. that while the middle class people
police. and not allowed the privilege Of COM
planning in the columns Of the dailics tho Greenwich
whitcbaits would not sit down SO calmly with this
disgrnceful state of things. s' 5rh
AT GREENWICH.
Night after night the houses Of leading residents in
that locality were broken open. aud quantities of
plate jcwelry. and valnabes of that description
stolen. The "gang'' who did it were evidently good
judges; and & selected ted very carefully before removing
were freely penned. but stl the depredations CON
tnued. Then came lull. Peace, the single handed
perpetrator of all these daring robberies. had taken
time to consider, and had decided to again change
his residence. But he had grown in riches as re-
suit Of his past six months' robberies aud he de-
cided taking better house. with
substantial look of responsibility about it. so
he went to Pcckhaln. and, not being satisfied with one
lady his housekeeper" he his fancy along
with his circumstances aud adopted another lady in
his family as companion to the first. He was now pos
sessed OF good house. two mntrons and aservant but
in addition to that he determined refurnishng his
home. This '.home'' at peckham was most beaut-
suit Of walnut worth hfty or sixty guineas, q Turkey
carpet. mirrors and all tho ct eeterds which
sidcred necessary in the house OF gentleman
laid Spanish guitar worth about thirty guineas-the
result OF some depreciation and said to be the prop
erty Of countess. His .'sitting room" was .
model Of comfort; there not side table missing
where it appeared requisite In every essential It
was At for an independent gentleman" and even
'sthe slippers which provided for his
ience were beaded. to show their value Then
the rcsidcnts Of pcckham wondered for the in
the way Of burgares which for year past had seemed
.the exclusives" Of Lambeth and Of Greenwich re-
commenced in their neighborhood a4 Ht1 8
CAUGHT
The police were again the alert but Of no avail:
the public press called sttention to this abomnable
state Of things householders lost their goods and
store Of wealth and furniture. Peace had always
loved 80 bit of music" Even in hts less popular
days he bad bought wooden canary which could
dered Why In addition to the robberies OF plate and
jewels from their abodes. there also to be
good fiddle missing II 1t had been near the
plate. yet the store Of musical instruments In
Peace's dwelling gradually aud more surely In
creased At length he had so many musical instru-
ments that his sanctum would not hold them,
and he obliged to ask neghbor TO allow him to
place few in her house, he was considered. as
said above, to be gentleman of independent
means" and nc never played anything but sacred
music his request was most cordially agreed 10 But
rgRRIBIE FIGHT.
On Wednesday night Mr. Peace engaged for
violin lsince owned rs remnant OF Black
heath robbery, one Of his housekeepers
singing and the other sccompanying on the
piano. Tho air WAS Il Am Coming" and the result
proved On that evening Peace repaired to the
mansion of Mr.. james Alexander Burness. in st.
James Park. Blackhcath, and while endcayorng TO
add to his riches unfortunately, in his own
opinion observed by . constable on duty named
Eobinsop subsequently this officer was shot by
the prisoner. and this is how il took place
On finding that he was discovered Peace
rushed into the garden and fired four shots
deliberate aim. fired fifth. The shots were fred
from American revolver OF tho newest make.
The nth struck the constable in the left arm above
the shoulder, carried cloth with IL right
through the csh. grazed the bone, and then, pass
ing ont, went through gentlcman's drawing
room window and after robounding the wall
fell on the floor. But Robinson. though injured.
seized the and after desperate struggle threw
the fellow to the ground. tight took place, and
the burglar attempted to draw sheath knife which
was III bis pocket, but the officer though
yerely wounded, did not lose his presence
of mind and gave his prisoner few taps on
the head by way OF sedative. When examined 1t
found that the fellow carried six barrced revolver
aud that the weapon was strapped TO his wrist On
being charged With the offence the prisoner refused
TO give any or address, and AZ his face was
stained with walnut juice he mistaken at the time
for mulatto.
A SHORT
The constable. Robinson has since received medical
aid and IL progressing fayorably toward recov-
cry. Inspector Bonney. OF the Division. in Lon.
don. commenced making inquiries as to what the
and most desperate prisoner could be
aud what his name; "John Ward" which
the prisoner asserted his cognomen. somehow
did not appear satisfactory AT this time. II must bc
remembered. there was no suspicion that tho man
anything but burglar and TO prove his guilt
such the effort of the officer. 10 find out
his name was very difficult but after u
fortnights search Bonnoy. discovered that the
lar hath iah peckb hal