The New York herald., 1879-11-07
AGAIN IN THE TOLLS.
DETAILS OF THE CAPTURE OF JOHNNY IRVING
IN HILADELPHIA-PRoBABLE REASONS FOR
HIS BEING CONCERNED IN RoBpINo CIGAR
STORE.

STORE.
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 9. 1879.
The announcement that John Irving had been
captured In the person of Richard Osbourpe. who
was arrested on Sunday night while committing
burglary at Portuondos cigar store, lSl2 Chestnut
street. quite much of surprise to the police
and attaches of the District Attorneys Office here
as to the public. The discovery was made
In New York. and up to this afternoon
one connected with the courts tho Central
Office. except Chief of Police Givin, suspected the
size Of the game that had been taken. The manner
in which the detection made simple
enough. On Monday. after the commitment. the
prisoners had their photographs taken, as is the
custom. Tho identity of Osbourne was not
pccted and the case set down for to-day in the
usual manner. number of tho photographs
having been printed. Tuesday Chief Givin in
closed picture of each to Superintendent
Waling Of New York, and to the police officials of
all the large cities. Superintendent walling. on
opening the letter yesterday recognized the face of
Osbourne that of Irving. He advised Chief
Gvin Of the discovery but q matter of fact. at
the hour when the case was to have been called to-
day. the District Attorney and his deputies in
ignorance Of the Identification.
Chief Givin followed up his advantage we'll. He
drove ut once to the prison. and, going to Irvng's
cell. said. Chow do you do. RichardY'
II feel comfortable enough. Chief" was the or
hand reply.
''The Brooklyn authorities want you." remarked
the Chief, watching his man closely.
want me?" said the prisoner. changing color
slightly, but recovering himself. '.why the deuce
should they want me?
"Because you're John Irving" asserted Chief
Givn.
The prisoner. who had been pacing up and down
his cell with his hands in his pocket stopped short
in his walk hearing his name mentioned and
placed his hand against the wall to steady himself
He tried to continue the game of bluff. but 1t was
failure.
"oh.. guess not. don't exactly understand
you,'' he stammered.
"You squarely caught. Irving I will be frank
the chief told him that superintendent Walling
recognized him. and that when he came into court
Sheriff Riley or his representative would be there to
confront him.
The prisoner broke down entirely and freely ad-
mitted that he was John Irving. OF New York. He
spoke highly Of the personal courage Of Ofhcers
Entricken and Kemon. OF the Nineteenth police
precinct. who captured Logue and him. He said:-
'.When Entrcken entered the store and found both
of us there he gave 1t to me with blackjack then
a chance to draw and pop him. He has true stuff
in him, chief. that man. I'd like to recommend
him for promotion. you see." The burglar had re-
sumed all his former nonchalance and bsdnage.
'You have the dead wood on Jimmy and on this
cigar store job. I don't pretend to deny that
.'well, to tell the truth did"
.'How was it that you took Logue into partner
shipY"
..Because he had money and had none"
didn't you have any other partnersr
II don't want to answer that. chief will say.
however. that We knew all about the people at the
cigar store-when they closed up for the night and
when they opened the shop in the morning"
"Why did you remain so long in the place? The
chances are lair that you would have escaped If you
had been quickerY
..Does look strange, don't it? I'll explain. When
W All q
miles, which l had given my word OF honor to re-
turn as soon as l was through with them: They
were very handsome ana valuable. When the offi-
GERS entered FROM the rear had plenty Of time to
escape. but !! wanted. il possible. to keep my word
to gather them up was overpowered by Officer
Entricken. owe my arrest to my desire to
those tools. and now l can neither return them
apologize In person.
"Did the tools come from New YorkY
II must again decline to answer, Chief. It Ia
enough to say that borrowed them and fully IN
tenaed to keep my word. hope will not be sent
When your correspondent learned the facts of the
above interview between the Chief OF Police and
Irving he at once formed tho opinion that the
PLANTATION given for his remaining was inadequate.
Nor the presence Of notorious u burglar as
John Irving in thu robbery Of the safe OF cigar
store explained. Your correspondent at visited
the shop of Portuondo 4 Co., but u member of the
frm declared that he had been instructed by the
District Attorney and his counsel to say nothing
until the called.
Alter an hours inquiry in the neighborhood and
o talk with several detectives tho following facts
burglar being caught ut what is, apparently, small
business:-
HEAVY PRIZE.
For several weeks Senor Portuondo has been ad-
vertising in the newspapers that q wealthy Spanish
gentsman. now in the city. had $4,000 in gold.
which he was anxious to invest in bonds and mort
Cages on improved property. The ADVERTISE
ment had attracted the notice of the burglars
in New York and they came here
to investigate the matter. A careful study
Of the habits of the people at the cigar store
led the burglars to think that much OF the money
keD h0 reaa
for this belief far known. that the safe
Was OF the very best fire and "burgar proof kind.
and that it kept IN position from which 1t could
be at all hours OF the day and night from the
front windows. It was the hope. therefore. Of SO
brought Irving and Loguo and the other con-
federates that he Is known to have had from
New York. Regarding his delay In escaping there
several theories. The most probable is that he had
dropped package on tho floor. which he believed
to be bonds. and was cropping for IL in the desperate
chance of being able to secure 1t and yet effect his
escape. The man who had introduced Irving ct the
store while the robbery planning not
and made Off with the $1,000 which is missing.
Another theory is that seeing there were only two
officers tho two burglars determined to make
stand, and that while Irving was watching Officer
Kcmon Entricken suddenly oufanked him and
sprang on him from behind q large pile Of cigar
The case comes up tomorrow morning in the
Court OF Quarter Sessions.
WHY HR II ROGUE
In an interview between Chief of Police Givin and
Irving at the Court House to-day the latter said In
answer TO the question why lie followed lilo Dt
crime :--"It Is foolish reason have give. My
family arc well connected and highly respected in
New York city. When l was young ! learned
came quiet an expert. and looked mp
to by my fellow workmen being ono of the
fastest compositors In New York. After working
hard oil day and returning to my home tired out.
and observing people whom ! knew to be thieves
having such easy tinio OF IL, wearing diamonds
good clothes and jewelry. In some manner got
associatng with them and was led OIL. 1 came
to be looked as leader In this business the samc
~ ia the printing Office. Being constantly lauied
by crooked people continued ON. have had in
my time barrels OF money and have seen. great
deal or pleasure and also considerable trouble
When was released from prison In Massachusetts
after having served two years term, 4 made up
my mind that would lead square life and never
do q crooked Job again. With this purpose in view
/ worked for six months In 'slop' printing offco
for S. q week. which was very small OF money
for one who had been used to plenty, but tho au-
thorities OF New York city tanty hound
ing and hunting mo that got led on again by
crooked people, resumed the crooked line OF busi
ness. aud here l am occupying felon's CELL"