The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1891-04-08
FEEBEC0RN AND JAMES.
The Plumber Shop Robbers on Trial
"A Tilt Between DAILY and
Smith.

Richard Feebscorn. who, with Robert
James, was arrested last January for
breaking ana entering the plumbing shop
of Gerrity & Sprouts, corner of Third and
Brunswick streets, pleaded guilty to re-
ceiving stolen goods in the Court Of
General Sessions today. Feebecorn, while
awaiting trial, was one Of a gang who
nearly broke jail in February, and who
pleaded guilty to the attempt, but has not
been sentenced yet AS soon as his plea
was accepted today the trial Of Rooert
James began.
In opening the case the Prosecutor said
that for months a series of robberies Of
stores and plumbing shops had taken
place in Hoboken and the police could not
lind the burglars IL remained for the
Jersey City authorities to capture them.
The gang cracked the shon OF Gerrity and
Sproul and the Jersey City police cap
tured Feebecorn with the stolen property
on Il Chambers street terryboat. In the
wagon with him were a revolver, slung-
shot and "a jimmie. Later young James
was arrested. but his father escaped.
Inspector Smith testified that Eeebe-
corn confessed that the two james men
and himself came over from New York
to rob the place. Feebecorn aud young
James stood each on a corner while
James, Sr., robbed the place. Feeoeeorn
confessed this in the presence of young
james who. when he heard IL, said, II
didn't go in the store anyway
is that all that was saids" asked Coun-
sellor DAILY on cross-examination.
''Yes, sir, replied the Inspector.
EVERYTHING that took placer
'1es, SIR"
"Did not he say what store ne did not
go in"
HE said he did not go in Sprouts"
II knew you were not telling the
truth" exclaimed Judge Daily triumph
antly.
al am telling the TRUTH" angrily re-
torted the Inspector.
81 submit this is not tair," objected
Prosecutor Winfield.
well, l want him to tell the whole
truth" said Judge DAILY.
Il am telling the truth" re torted the
Inspector and his face became flushed
with anger as he added Indignantly, do
you think / came here 10 perlure my
self2"
mot at all, Mr.. Smith, but in Your first
statemenI you said nothing ABOUT the
store being Sprouts" mildly replied
Judge DAILY.
The Court here stopped the squabble by
saving that the witness was testlfy1ng
fairly; that witnesses frequently expected
TO be asked for details. The INSPECTOR
then concluded some minor testimony,
had arrested young James at Weehawken
the next day after the robbery.
William Meschutt testified that he saw
James i'll his restaurant between three
and four O'Clock the morning of the roh-
berry, and waiter 10 the restaurant tes-
titled that he saw Feebecorn and James,
aud waited upon them that morning.
This evidence was given to show that the
men stopped there before committing the
burglary This closed the case
for the State, aud Judge DAILY
placed Robert james on the
stand. He testified that his fathers name
was Andy and not Peter James. He said
that ali he knew of the robbery was the I
when the wagon reached this city his
father told him to wait on corner for
him and If he did not return soon TO 20
home His father did not come back and
young James returned TO his home ut
Weehawken and found his father there.
Young James SAID he told the detective
that he had not been i'll Jersey City the
night before because his father told MIN
TO say so or he would get in trouble.
The jury brought in a verdict OF guilt y.