New-York tribune., 1886-11-15
TRACED BY ONE GRAY HAIR.
DETECTIVES BREAK UP A GANG.
AN OLD MAN ASSAULTED IN LAFArErrE-PLAcE-

AN OLD MAN ASSAULTED IN LAFAYETrE-PLAcE-
HOW THE ARRESTS WERE MADE.
A band OF highwaymen and petty thieves
who have for several months been holding the
East SIDE was broken yesterday aud i've OF tho hard
est-working members were lodged at Police Head
quarters last evening They are desperate lot ana
evidence has boon secured against them that VIII SEND
them away from temptation for many years to come
Inspector Byrnes heard of assault and
rooDery that was committed In Lafayotte-piaee
ABOUT Two months ago and concluded tnas IL
was the work OF this East Bido gsnG Detectives
hansin and Mcclure were put on the case. Who sne
person was that had been attacked not known and
tho detectives set nnd the who did the work.
Tney got description Of two Of the men from bar
tender One Of the tall, stout fellow, who had
injured Ills hands and had them painted with odine'
and he told the bartender that had bsen injured In
heht In His companion also told about
the part he had in the ARRAY The detectives GOT on the
track OF these two men. and after long walt thoy
connected them with three others who also present
at what Was called "thumping match From re-
MARKS which wcre let drop By tho gang from time TO
time II was evident that ono had been robbed In
searching the place alleged fight took place.
piece Of iron. which thought to bs the foot
OF the framework OF . park bench was found It
was bloody and the rough end Of was long, gray
hair This murderous piece OF iron was carefully lad
away. Tho detectives had evidence Of the assault
against the gang and knew those VINO wore
connected with 1t, but could not make
an arrest q It needed somc one to make
. complaint.
About three weeks ago Inspector Byrne heard that
there was man who had been injured some time be
fore living at No. 10 Lafayettepace. Detectives Man.
gin and MCGUIRE went to see him. and found that ne
was the man they we're looking for. He s John n.
Vanness, lawyer whose office Is in the Knox Building
He is slightly built and middle aged. About two monhs
ago he detained at his Office referee In sut ana
10 tvva nd
into Laisyette-place from Great Jones-st Five men
were standing the One OF them stepped up
TO him and demanded dollar In savage voice. anu
held himself in threatening attitude Mr. Vanness re-
fused to give the money and the next instant no
received violent blow in tho race
with blunt instrument. He was knocked
down and the five fell upon him. HIS trousers ana
aud waistcoat ripped open aud about $50 III os
were taken. He struggled a we'll as he coud Out was
unable to make outcry the blood from the wounu
In his mouth was choking him. The men punched ana
kicked him the face and body and as some one ap
preached they away. After few moments Mr.
vanness able get homo and fell unconscious
in the hallway A doctor was summoned. and found
that both OF Me- Vanness jaws were broken, several
ribs fractured and his head and face we're fui OF
cuts and bruises He had been terribly beaten and re
mained unconscious several hours He was still con-
fined to the house with his injuries when the detectives
saw him.
The story OF the robbery Tailed with what
the detectives had already found out, ana
Mr. yanness able give description OF each OF the
five The detectives were satisfied tnat tney were
the right track and since been shsdowng them
for favorable opportunity 10 mako an arrest one Oh
the men. William Thompson OF NO. 25O west twenty
1rst-st, arrested ON Saturday night by Detective
sullivan. OF the Fifteenth Precinct. for burgariously
entering barber shop IN Bloecksrs Arthur
two well.kDown thief arrested at sxth-sve. and
Carmne-st He has been In the Elnira Rslornatory.
Samuel Ferris age twentyone, was caught at No. l4o
West Sevrnteenthst Bernard McGill, OF No 26 Green,
wich-ave, age nineteen, and John Kelly, OF No lo3
Sixth twenty one, we're arrested al sxn-aVe.
ard EleveuthsL The arrests we're made ny
Detectives Mangiu and MCGUIRE. The thieves
were taken TO Inspector Byrnass room ana
Mr. vanness dentfed them as his assaians inspector
Byrnes wed Mr. Vanness the iron benon reg ana xne
hair on II was found to be from his wnskers Inc
prisoners Will be taken to tho Jefferson Market Court
Iala aulorn