Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-28
TRACED BY A RING.
The Detectives Run Down the Burglars OF
the "Pike Flats"
fNpW York Herald


the "Pike Flats"
New York Herald
For two years the police of this city
have been looking for three burglars
who were put to flight by a plucky
young widow, Mrs. Ellen Welch, whose
apartments at the "Pike Flats, south
east corner Of Broadway and Twenty
third street, they were attempting to
enter. One of them, it was known,
was wounded by bullet fired by Mrs.
WEIGH. When the right clew was I'M
earthed the men suspected had fled
from the city.
AS time elapsed the detectives asccr-
tanned that the gang that had been. sur
prised by the young widow and shot at
by her was composed OF a noted Denver
Coli "crook" and two craftsmen of
alesser grade, hailing from New Haven,
Conn. They have been since wanted.
but the capture of John A. Elwood and
"Joe " Wilson by acknowledgements
King, Lyons, and O'Connor clears up
the mystery surrounding the attempt to
ransack Mrs. Welch's rooms.
When Elwood's and Wilson'S rooms,
at No. 220 Forsyth street. were searched
(aiter the capture Of the cracksmen).
among the articles seized was Masonic
ring, marked &" Edison W. Baumgartcn,
June %, 1854 The ring was traced
to Ohio, and yesterday Inspector
Byrnes, in response to some inquiries
made by telegraph. received the follow
ing reply from James Z. Pittman, chief
Of police at Toledo
- Hold Ewood and Wilson. Charge
grand larceny and burglary and shoot
ing officer with intent to kill. Will
send requsition papers Immediately"
Subsequent correspondence on the
same subject stated that the men were
also wanted for robbery which they
had committed at Detroit. The crime
for which the Toledo authorities re-
quest the detention Of the prisoners was
committed on August 18th last. On
that night, it is alleged, they broke into
house, and, being discovered in the
act of plundering the place. fired sew
eral shots at the servants. An alarm
was raised, and policeman who
started in pursuit OF the fugitives
was shot in the breast and dangerously
wounded by the fleeing robbers. The
men then came on to this city. They
had been here only few days before
they were under surveillance, and while
they were being watched the detectives
became aware Of the plans they were
Matching for series of burglaries
which they contemplated committing
this fall in Saratoga. When they were
about to start on that trip the detec-
tiyes arrested them. All through the
West Elwood is known as a daring and
desperate craftsman, and it is said that
some years ago he murdered two Of his
I pals. Wilson is also known to the de-
tectiyes as a Desperate.
The attempted burglary in the Pike
| Flats" which the capture Of Elwood
and Wilson reviyes. was committed at
4 A. NJ. on February %, 1888. Mrs.
Ellen Welch, a wealthy widow, who
kept no servants. occupied a suit Of
rooms on the fourth floor. While the
lady was lying awake in her bedroom
strange noises in the hall attracted
her attention. She listened for seye-
Ial minutes, and the dull grating made
by the turning Of a key in the
lock satisfied her that some one was
! trying 10 enter her room. She quietly
slipped out Of bed, taking with her
pistol from under her pillow, and
crossed the room toward the door.
As she did so the bolt was sprung
back. Then she listened. but as no
effort was made to enter Mrs. Welch
mustered up courage and opened the
door. The crouching figure of man
at the head of the stairs, about fifteen
feet distant, first met her view, and
at the same moment she became aware
that two others were standing close to
her, one on each side of the doorway.
She fired at the man on her left
and her aim was true, for instantly
the robber began TO stagger. The
wounded man was assisted down stairs
by his companions. and when police.
man came no trace Of the thieves could
be found. They left no tools behind
them, but an embroidered handkerchief
stained with blood was found on the
stairs. The ball had struck the robber
in the arm, and on the stairs he left
trail of blood from the wound.
The prisoners klwood and Wilson
were yesterday arraigned at the Jefier-
son-Market Court, and at the request of
their captors they were committed until
the arrival Of the Toledo authorities
with the requisition papers.