The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-07-11
A FASHIONABLE kOBBER.
Discovering That . Popular Physician was
the Captain Of Highwaymen.

PrTrsBURG, July S.-Dr. James P. Buck,
who year ago was the lion of fashionable
society, was to-day placed on trial in the
criminal court for highway robbery. For
years gang had infested the county, and
the most daring robberies were committed.
The police were baffied. When DR.. Buck
finally was accused OF being the leader of
the gang of footpads hardly any one believed
it.
The police had received information
several times which cast suspicion on DR..
Buck, but they believed the stories to be
base fabrieations to injure the Doctor His
standing in society placed him above sus-
picion. He was considered wealthy, as he
kept fast horses and spent money lavishly
for rare pictures and curiosities. His villa
at Braddock, suburb, wnere he resided,
contained valuable collection of the works
OF the old masters, and the grounds were
the handsomest in the State. His practice
was extensive among the best people, and
it created the most profound sensation
when he was arrested, together with q
notorious gang charged with completely in
numerous highway robberies. His accuser
was Frederick Alpert, an insurance agent.
He related his story on the stand to-day.
DR.. Buck sat opposite to him. He was
faultlessly dressed in suit of the latest
cut. He looked unconcerned, and his fine
black eyes were constantly riveted on the
witness.
Alpert swore that last July he went to
Mckeesport on business and stopped at
Braddock on his way home. He arrived at
the latter place about 4 o'clock and went
directly to the office of DR.. Buck, with whom
he had been on very friendly terms. Mr..
Alpert says he had made several collections
OF premiums, etc., during the day and had
in his pockets large sum of money, which
fact was known to DR.. Buck. After doing
some business in Braddock, he, by previous
arrangement with DR.. Buck, 5ook supper
and started about dusk for the house OF a
Mr.. Kinney, who lived across the river, and
from whom DR.. Buck said $40, 900 of insur-
ance could be easily obtained.
The two crossed the river in boat and
went to the house of Mr.. Kinney. who, Mr..
Alpert states, promptly informed them he
had insurance already. They started to
return through a lonely piece ofwoods. DR..
Buck started on run for the ferry, and
Alpert called to him to wait for him, but
the doctor kept on. A minute later two
men stepped in front OF Alpert and one
knocked him down, while the other re-
moved $500 from his inside pocket and
snatched off his gold watch.
Alpert started toward the ferry, and
came across DR.. Buck lying on the ground
and grOaning. He asked him if he had also
been robbed: Buck said, "yes." They had
taken two large pocketbooks from him
one containing $27O and the other some
small change although he had told Alpert
at his office just before he started for the
river that he hadn't 40 cents to make
up the balance OF the note which he paid
Alpert in full.
Alpert remarked: "Why, doctor, they
have not taken your gold watch and dia-
mond stud?" to which the doctor made no
reply. They then went to the ferry and,
after crossing over, the boy suggested that
they run up the river to the other ferry and
see if the robbers didn't cross there. Dr.
Buck interposed objections, however, and
told Alpert not to say anything about the
affair, as he was ashamed because he had
lost SO little while Alpert had lost so much.
One OF the detectives employed by Alpert
secured the information which led to Bucks
arrest. 1t was found that for years he was
with the ''Gordon gang" which
infested this neighborhood, and acted as
roper in' for them, as in the case OF AL
pert. From the proceeds of the robberies
he was enabled to live high and lei Sl,e inn !
preston go out that he was rich. Gordon,
Geary and Crusan, who were members of
the gang, pleaded guilty, and having been
upon other charges of robbery, |
we're sentenced to the penitentiary, Gordon |
or fifty years, Geary for twenty years aud |
Jrusan for twenty years. DR.. Buck trial |
will last for several days.