Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-26
HEFLED BY THE BACK WAY.
The Narrow Escape of "A "Green-Goods .
Man.
New York Times. ]


Anthony Comstock has succeeded in de-
monstrating the fact that he IS better
prosecutor of vicious persons than he Is a
detective. and the police of the First pre-
cinct are crlucislng him for allowing an
important criminal TO get away when he
was about to lay hands upon him.
MIR. ComstOck, as pOst-OfhCe inspector,
about ten days ago came IN possession OF a
green-gOods circular which was being ex-
tensiyely distributed through the mails.
The circular vas cOuched IN the usual
terms, promising to provide bills OF such
perfect execution that even the United
States Treasury Department had accepted
them in large amounts for relatively small
prices. Inclosed with the circular was the
card of d" Henry Marsh, dealer in patents,
gold and silver hunting-case watches, &c,
at II Moore street, and directions that cor
respondence be addressed TO j. {. Ellis at
54 Pearl street.
The assistance of Detective Dram, of the
First precinct. was secured, but when Cap
tain Mclaughlin would have assigned
another assistant Mr.. Comstock refused
the offer. and he and Detective Dram took
up the watch for the confidence operators
alone. They found n heavily-bullt man
with stlf, red mOustache, yesterday re-
ceiving the mail that was addressed &c
Ellis, and following him up saw HIM go t.
II Moore street and enter the front door.
Mr. COmstOck now recognized the fellow
as William {. Burns, who ran saloon IL
jersey City, and whom he had arrested IL
that city year before for COunterteltlng
but who had escaped by FORGETTING hi:
bail.
Unmindful of possible rear exit TO the
house Detective Dram took post at the
front while COmstOck FASTENED back to the
Old Slip police-station for help, expecting
TO bag not Burns alone but his accOmplice:
as we'll Captain Mclaughlin and Detec
tive Oates went back with MIR. COmstOck
and at the front of the house Detective
Dram reported that no one had gone out
The raiders went into the house and founC
the room of Mir. Marsh" vacant. An ole
coat on the wall and safe III the room
with some cheap furniture. were all Their,
was to be seen. An open window III real
closet overlooking some sheds IN the bacl
yard revealed the probable lOophOl'
through which their quarry had escaped.
Mr.. Comstock wanted the safe immedi-
ately broken open, but upon Captain Nc
Laughlin's suggestion he went before
Polce-Justice Reilly and swOre out &
search-warrant, armed with which Captain
Mclaughlin broke open the safe. Inside 4
dozen bundles were found securely wrap
ped up. They were found To consist of d
common brick, with layers of genuine bill,
on either side, SO arranged that by tearing
the package at either corner only the money
would be revealed. The bundles contained
S4 ca of good money. showing how exten
sive preparations had been made by the
gang to interest the man OF cupidlty and
wealth from the suburban districts. The
packages were taken before Justice Reilly
who ordered them into the custody of the
property clerk at police headquarters.
AT the same time general alarm was
sent to the police 10 be on the lookout fOI
Burns alas Marsh alas Ellis, aud for q
gray-haired companion of about fifty years
of age. whom Mr.. Tinsdale, the agent OF
the building. said was Joint occupant OF
the room with Burns, but whose name he
did not know. They had had the room
but few weeks and excited no suspicion
in Mr. Tinsdale's breast by their conduct
he assuming them TO be III legitimate bust
ness of some sort.
At late hour last night no arrest hat
been made, but Mr.. COmstock thinks that
Notwithstanding this the capture is an i'm
portant one and the deprivation of S4,64.
of good money will be blow To the crooks
that they Will suffer from more severely
than 10y the usual fine and Imprisonment