Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-01-02
,,rart y sta,lion. savea-Ger Re

irant's stations saved. Gen Beale's
farm, where these stations are kept lies
partly in this county and Prince Georges
The following account of the preparations 10
carry off these stations appeared in the
Washington Post on the 26th utimo;
"A carefully planned attempt to steal the
two Arabian stations, presented to Gen.
Grant by the Sultan of Turkey, from Gen.
Beaes farm, in Prince Georges county,
Md, is believed to be frustrated by the ar
rest of three men, who had, besides, COM
pletely terrorized the neighborhood for miles
round, extending over the District line, for a
month past by their bold robberies. The
first of these reported to the District police
took place on Gen. Beale's farm about two
weeks since, when fifteen turkeys and sixty
chickens were taken. AT the request Of
Gen. Beale. Officer w. II. West, coiored,
was detailed TO work up the case, as the local
constable is old and has large territory TO
look after, rendering the detection OF the
thieves by his agency an improbable matter.
After receiving careful instructions from
Lieut.. johnson, and, as a clue, cap dropped
by the thieves, he set out After being duly
deputized by the sheriff, he commenced oper-
atoms by seeking an owner for the cap. The
first person he accosted recognized it as be-
longing to colored boy, whom he named,
and who passed few minutes before in a
wagon. He soon overlook him and called
him out of the vehicle, where he was rid
ing with man named Nolan, employed
on the Beale farm as blacksmith The
boy knew the officer in spite Of his cti-
zens dress, having lived in his precinct, and
after the wagon had driven off at once con-
fpecaH HE ahara in he
that Nolan sent him up the tree after the tur.
keys, remaining himself at the foot, where he
cut off the birds heads and put the bodies in
bag. Mrs. Nolan Was waiting at home
with hot water, and the birds were quickly
prepared and sent into Washington for sale,
some being retained for the Nolans' use.
This revelation furnished clue 10 previous
turkey steal. Oversecr Cashell related that
he had shot at man engaged in the theft !,
but who got away, leaving bloody tracks
Nolan went off duty for over week sim
ultaneously, and had been lame ever since
The now thoroughly eliminated blacksmith
was at once arrested and deposited with the
constable at Biadensburg, preparatory TO
sending him TO Marlborough. Left over night
in charge Of n couple Of negroes, he sent
them out TO buy him some whiskey and when
Lieut.. johnson and Officer West came 10
accompany him next morning they found
they had the job of capturing him TO do
over again. He was secured however, be-
fore night. Further Investigations impli.
Gated man named Rickar, employed by
Gen. Beaie az 4 laboror, and another man,
with no particular occupation, named
Thomas, and they were both arrested.
They all seemed much chagrined at their
arrest At that time, intimating that If they
had been left alone for another week they
would not have been in the way. II was
further learned that they had planned b run
of two horses, which they were 10 have
shipped from Baltimore 10 New York in a
box car already engaged. That these were
the Grant stations is considered from pre-
parations that were found TO have been
made for coloring, clipping, etc. The men
are also known 70 have stolen valuable
mare from u Mr.. Martin, living above the
Maryland Reform school. This, after being
clipped and lis name and tail thinned out 70
as 20 entirely change lis appearance, was
sold IN this city and IL now In the hands Of
the police waiting the owners orders The
skillful manner In which this work Of dis
guise was effected demonstrates that the men
are adopts At the business. Another fact In
support VI the belief that the Arabian horses
were the coveted prize, is that the men
sought service with Gen Beale shortly after
they were deposited in his care. II is
thought that they were destined for q stud
farm In New York, and that the other dep
relations Of the thieves were only mere pas.
time FOR them Three sets 81 harness and
robe and coat had been stolen from Mr.
Campbell Of the Maryland Agricultural col.
lege, saddle and ee-hiye from q Mr.. Fow.
Ter, and number Of articles from other per-
sons IN Maryland and on this side Of the line.
Cases could BE- made against them here, but
the police believe that the chances for sde.
quste punishment are greater In Maryland
than here, there being enough against them
there 10 send them 10 the peniteutiary for
the rest az theT lives