New-York tribune., 1886-01-21
GEORGE FOSTER SHOT DEAD BY AN
OFFICER.
NOTORIOUS BURGLAR WHO swoRE THAT HE
WOULD NEVER BE TAKEN ALIVE.

WOULD NEVER BE TAKEN ALIVE.
CLEVELAND, Ohio, Jan. 20 (SpecidD D.-George
Foster the leader Of the gang Of thieves burglars
and hghwaymen that ever infested northern Ohio was
shot and killed at midnight last night while attempting
to escape On October 25 1885 Foster escaped
from the penetcntary where he was serving out SON
tence Of eight for burg Try AMI larceny lie reap
peared in Cleveland four and boasted to
era Of his old cronies that he would shoo the first police
man who attempted to arrest him. At that time
Foster was disguised but he made no specia
effort to conceal his identity and the police
learned that he In the city. Runors of contem-
plated burglary also reached the officers and detectives
were instructed to search for the criminal
Last night the police learned that their man would
meet some OF his companions that evening In william
Horsts Darroom at No. 1888 Ontaro-st. Captain Hoeh
and his six officers in citizens clothes went there and
began search of the premises In little room at the
head of the stairs a found sitting on lounge
wi th his head bowed conceang his face Mrs. Horst
IN the and demanded reason for tho intrusion
OF the officers into her private apartments. While
explanations were being made to tho woman the
stranger jumped to his feet and made q dash for the
stairs Policeman Corner recognized the man as Foster
and gave chase.
At the bottom Of tho stairway the outlaw turned at
bay, aiming revolver at Corner. but lowered II and
darted into the barroom. Here he was met by officer
Coleman ana the two Grapplcd. While tho men wero
fighting in Of the Officer Corner reached
the door, pistol in hand Foster, releasing his
hold on Coleman, tore himself loose and thrust
his revolver square In Corners face. Before he
could pull the trigger the policeman fired and Foster.
shot through the neck, fell 10 the floor In few min
utcs he was dead.
This desperate criminal who had sworn never to be
taken alive had kept his word About his person
found number OF burglar tools, flask OF powder some
dynamite cartridges specially prepared, and the plan
Of some largo house This taken In consideration
with the team he had hired and which stood outside OF
the door, indicated that he evidently had an important
professional hand for that night Foster
has nad bio dred history His first arrest In this city
In 1879 but he had already served terms In Auburn
NJ V. and Joliet. ILL., He was arrested in January 1879
suspicion of being connected with robbery. On the
same night the notorious Tom Roland aud
hIs sisters arrested while attempting
to sealskin sacks which had
been stolon from castside mercantile houses.
Foster imp .cated with them lie also en-
gagged in the robbery at Goldfish. Penn. where the
burglars roasted the feet OF the members OF the family
before stove to induce them 10 reveal the combination
OF the safe lock. They secured $4,000 In bonds He
arrested in 1881 for safe robbery at Milford.
Obern County, Mich. The Stinton brothers were ar
rested with HIM and the officers relied upon their test
mony convict Foster, but they broke Jail and
the criminal escaped punishment for want
OF evidence against him His last arres. was
at Rocky River August 2l 1883 on the occasion OF
the Foresters picnic FOR assault aud robbery. lie was
sentenced TO eight years IN the penentary but escaped
on the night OF October %, 1855.
The headquarters Of this gang WAS at Parma, and
many throughout Ohio Pennsy ivania and Michi
gan laid their doors, Foster born at Rock
port this city forty five years He was small
man. wiry and possessed OF great nerve. His family Is
well connected. and some OF the near relatives OF the
dead live In Eucd-ave the fashionable thorough
fnrn nf fNay 1nnh