New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-20
CAPTURED IN 4 CAVE.
THE STRANGE mDING-rLACE OF A BURGLAR NEAR
CHAPPAQUA.

THE STRANGE HIDING-PLACE OF A BURGLAR NEAR
CHAPPAQUA.
Robert Ireland, of Chappaqua, while out
cunning mountains discovered that the earth IN
one place had been recently disturbed Upon inVe7u-
eating he discovered the entrance to cave which was
about va feet I'm height and seven feet square. The
cave IA understood to occupied by the famous
Leather Man" on his annual trips to and nom The
Eastern States Mr. Ireland being armed with a
double-barreed shotgun, yentured to enter the
cave where he found German who called hlmseli
Joseph Phyle reposng under projecting piece of rock
and ordered him 20 get up and out. As he gave an
unsatisfactory account Of himself Mr. ireland took him
10 Chappadua and delivered him into the custody OF Con
stable Alexander c. Lawrence. party Of citizens az
once started explore the where variety OF ar
teles which had been stolen from the premises OF
John Washburn and Others In the neighborho0d were
found II was at once surmised that the prisoner was
one of gang OF robbers who had infested the entire
country around for many miles The prisoner wac taken
SUNDAY to the cave to pout out the pac es where he
had secreted the property stolen by him, aud disclosed
about two cart loads which conveyed to Chappaqua
and stored in barn The examination of the prisoner
was begun before Justice OF the Peace Edward b. Lane
Counsellor David II. Hunt appearing for the people
Constable Lawrence said that he took the prisoner 20
the cave where ne pointed out the spot where some
OF the stolen goods concealed In the cave were
found some fruit Jars two shovels crow bar scdge
hammer two spades, axe and some trace chains also
WaIstcoat which were identified by David Barnes as his
propery the prisoner then conducted the witness TO a
place where after digging under some rocks he I'M
earthed quantity Of clothing and box containing
ewelry and pointed the houses OF David Barnes and
John S. Washburn from which he had stolen them. He
next took the witness 10 another point where, by the re-
noval Of stones he brought out ten gallon milk
can about onethrd full Of eggs having stolen 400 from
Mr. Washburn. He next went 10 double wall In which
he had concealed box ten feet long, containing Win
chester repeating rife, charged with seventeen ball car
tridges of Al calbre was IN the brccch and sixteen
I'm the reservoir also doubebarrclled breechloadng
shotgun loaded ve-chanbcred revolver out Of repair
one plane four SAWS and other tools The Winchester
rife and shotgun he claimed TO have purchased at No
1913 Canas In this city In the centre OF another double
wall he had concealed another box containing loaded
musket and thirty feet from that he had secreod ANOTHER
box containing lot Of carpenters tools, stolen from the
premises of the late William G.. Lambert Al stu another
point double wall scCrctcd another milk can,
drugs permery, chemicals and fancy articles also stolen
the premises OF the late Mr. Lambert The prisoner
explained 10 Constable Lawrence how he entered the
house OF Mr. WaShburn and after helping himself 10 al
he could eat carried away what struck his fancy. When
questioned to confederate In the burglary he said that
he did IL entirely alone and that he visited the place four
times in one night in order to carry of his plumber.
On leading Constable Lawrence 10 points IN the double
wall where he had concealed boxes and MIX cans con
tanning stolen property he scanned the surface Of the
wall until he came 10 certain symbols when ne hdd
made. then took certain number or steps ~ one ucc
ton or the other when lac would halt and This Il
the spot where there Is box or milk can a Tie case
might be- and in rebuilding the portion OF wall when
he had removed for the reception Of box or milk can he
had been very particular 10 turn the Undiscovered surface
Of each stone outward To restore the original APP
pc4rdnce of the wall In place whore be had con-
ceded stolen property hc had planted some ferns