The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-05

Gated in tho stealing of guns, pistols
and hardware from the store Of Evans 81
Chalmers, came up before Justice
Howerton yesterday afternoon. Ghe
evidence given goes to show that one of
the best systemized schemes for robbing
an employer ever concocted has at last
been laid bare, and the guilty parties
are under the strong arm of the law.
The plan for robbing the firm of
Evan IL Chalmers appears to have been
Matched on Railroad avenue. Buck
Thomas IS employed by the firm as q
drayman, and has worked in that capa-
city for two years. He was generally
thought to be honest, and was allowed
to go behind the counter on business,
and throughout the store at any time.
Finally guns and pistols began to dis
appear, but not until a few weeks ago
did the firm realize that they were being
so extensively robbed.
Buc was a sly thief. He carried out
the guns and pistols one at a time, and
placed them in the hands of one of the
biggest ~scoundrels in the city-George
Colvin, who keeps q restaurant on Rail-
road avenue. Buck seems to nave en-
tered into an agreement with George to
supply the latter with firearms.
Finally his place of business became
known among the sporting negroes as a
regular arsenal. He sold guns worth
$50 for $40 and others worth S45 for So.
Still the trade went on and no one
knows how many guns wered disposed of.
len have been recovered so far.
1t seems that George could not dis
pose of firearms fast enough, and the
services of Walter we're secured. Wal
ter disposed of some eight or nine pis-
tolls, and had two in his possession when
arrested. Then Buck began to realize
that 1T was necessary, in order to make
n success of the business to steal some
thing else. A dray load of doors, sash
and nails were accordingly hauled over
to George Colvin's residence in Old
Lick.
Then came the day of reckoning. Of
hcer Brown wore O blue uniform with
brass buttons, and made no effort to
conceal his identitykbut he unravelled
the mystery. He was put on the case
ten days ago and has since that time
recovered nearly $500 worth of property
belonging to the firm, besides causing the
arrest of several parties, which revealed
the whole scheme.
Buck Thomas was arrested so quietly
that no n knew of it, but when Colvin
was placed behind the bars, Railroad
avenue was stirred up.
The prisoners were arraigned before
Justice Howerton yesterday. George
Colvin was represented by Mr.. e. w.
Robinson and Capt. Gish. Leftwich was
represented by Mr.. Perkins, while Buck
Thomas, whose case has not yet been
heard. was left alone. his counsel fail
ing to appear.
The case againt Walter Leftwich was
first heard. The warrant carged him
with stealing several Smith e. Wesson
pistols. Leftwich, whose case was first
heard, was an employee of d. Lawson, a
liquor dealer, on Commerce street. He
had a room over the saloon, and was a
pal" of Buck Thomas.
Mayor Evans, the first witness, pro-
d1ced three pistols, and said that they
from Leftwich's room by Officer Brown,
who had previously informed him that
he knew where the pistols were. Left
wich had possession at one time of
eight or nine pistols. Leftwich told
the mayor while in Jail that he got them
all from Buck Thomas. and had paid
him anywhere from 25 cents to 81 at a
time.
w. K. Lawson said the prisoner
worked for him and had been o trusted
negro, although he had given him no
chance to steal anything. He went to
Lawson's room n Sunday. Another
negro was present, and four pistols we're
laid out on the bed. Leftwich made it
appear that the pistols belonged to the
stranger, and asked if he might give
one to Mr.. Lawson. The other raised
no objections, and a pistol was handed
over.
Alex Wade, an employ of the railroad
company was offered a pistol at a small
figure. but did not buy. and when Officer
Brown was close after him he informed
the officer what Leftwich had.
The prisoner, when put on the stand,
said that he got the pistols from Buck
as they we're sold. He also got two
razors from Buck. He couldn't say how
many pistols he got from Buck. He
sold W OF them for 81, and sometimes
gave Buck a glass of beer when he
brought in a pistol.
Inc commonwealth was represented
by Messrs. Cooke, Hoge and R. d.
Smith. After a short argument, the
prisoner was sent on to the grand jury.
The case against George Colvin was
next taken up. Ten fine b%reech-load-
ing guns were exhibited, and Mayor
Evans identified several of them as his
property. Officer Brown told how he
foundt the guns, and traced them all to
George Colvin. He introduced Alex
Wade. Carey Johnson, Charles Lang
horne and Robert Cook, who testified to
buying the guns from Colvin.
Georges counsel started out with q
spirited defense and called a dozen wit
nesses in his behalf, but when the four