The Newtown bee., 1891-05-15
THE LUDDINGTON GANG
 A Nest of Robbers Broken up.


 Not an inhabitant of the towns o1 Fairfield, Westport and Wilton but breathes a sigh of relief at the arrest o1 two of the gang of sneak thieves anC daring villains by whom they have beer felt by people in Weston, Norwalk, Red ding, Ridgefeld, Easton, and ever Trumbull and Newtown, so far did theil depredatons extend. The gang has been partially broken up by the arrest. last week Wednesday morning, of Henry Luddington, alias Henry Perkins, the acknowledged leader, with Dora Conroy, who, by her own confession, has lived with him 12 years and borne him six children, being constantly on good terms with Charlotte Eastwood, alias Black Hawk, to whom Luddington was mar ried, but who has been living in Bridge port as the wife of David McEwen, for merly of Newtown, and once a painter. The evidence which led to the arrest was secured by Detective Cronin of Bridge port, while in the employ of Messrs Amber, Lockwood and Gilbert, select men of Wilton. He spent a week or more at Frank l.. Sherwood's, Greenfield Hill, and investigated the case, even lying out all night to watch the house. What he saw and heard, together with the previous character of the gang, in- duced him to decide upon a raid, last week, although he hardly expected to be able to capture both LnddingtOn and his right-hand man, Joe Brown, an eX- barber of Branchvlle. In the early hours of Wednesday, May 6, CrOnin and tall Officer Arnold of Bridgeport gathered a party of local helpers and descended upon the Boss Hull place on the Aspe- tuck-Westport road, where tke criminals dwelt. While they surrounded the house, Officer Arnold thumped at the door and demanded admission. This was about a m, and the door was not opened for several minutes. At last, Dora Con- roy answered the summons and the Olfi- cers marched in, placing her under arrest. No one could be found in the two rooms on the lower.f floor of the house, so Off ccr Arnold walked up stairs, burst open the door and found Luddington attempt ing to escape by the windows. Had he succeeded in leaving the house, it wa well guarded by Aaron B. Mills, Iverson Fanton, David Parsons and Charles Lob dell. Saying, "Aha, my fine fellow" Officer Arnold took him in tow. While the house was being searched, Aaron Mills was left to guard Luddington. The latter was plainly disturbed at the arrest, but hardly dared attempt an escape. Once he said: "LOok here, Mills," you don't want to be too - - - about this business,' but was told to keep quiet or suffer the consequences. He began whiting with knife as ugly looking as himself, but Officer Arnold quietly appropriated it. Luddington seemed almost dazed by the audiences of his arrest and frequently muttered to himself. He searched long and vainly for his vest, saying that he had keep ,V,I .,ff he had been taken away, there was noth- ing but a huge self-cocking revolver, which would have indeed been ia life long remembrance' for the officer, had LuddingtOns nervous fingers once held it. Dora is reported to have said: "Ar- mold is too much of man; without him, Henry would have escaped easily" As there was no sign of any more men about the premises, the prisoners were taken to Bridgeport jail, Aaron Mills being left in charge of the Boss Hull place and it's contents. As Luddington and Conroy had been arrested for crimes committed in Wilton, they were taken there for trial, which, after postponement, oc- cured, Saturday morning, at Wilton sta- tion, before Justice Chichester. A num- Der of the neighbors of Luddington were present, as well as his victims, the latter as witnesses, and a crowd of the curious. The State, through the selectmen of Wilton, was represented by Lawyers k. NJ. Lockwood of NOrwalk and w. B.. Glover of Fairfield. The prisoners had retained J. C.. Chamberlain of Bridge port. No defense was made and 1t IS un- derstood, from remarks dropped at the trial and elsewhere, that little effort will be made to save Luddington from the fate which has so justly overtaken him, but that, if possible, the sentence of the ConrOy woman would be made for a short term. Only four counts were brought against the pair at Wilton, but on each probable cause was found and they were bound over for trial at the present term of the Superior court. Mrs Hulda HickOk, Mrs Charles Bangert, Charles Jones and Rufus Disbrow were able to identify property found in the possession of the Luddingtons, as stolen from them, artl- cles of clothing belonging to them being worn at the trial by Luddington and Dora. In default of $l00O bonds on each count. they were again taken to Bridge port jail. These are but four Of the scores of offences traceable to this gang, and it is probable that long term of years will be given each in State prison. From Wednesday, when the news of this most noteworthy capture spread, until Monday night, the Boss Hull place was thronged with the curious and those who came seeking lost articles. Though many were picked up by their owners, and though wagon load after wagon load was taken away, there was still large quantities left when the house was closed, Monday night. The burglars tools, jimmies, dark lanterns, etc., were taken by the police, who also retained the punches of keys, eight or ten quarts of them being found in the house. Articles were taken of every possible description :; tools of all kinds, household articles, knick-knacks that none but woman would buy or steal, articles of barn furniture. As fast as claimed, ar cles were entered in book and the name of the owner appended. But a complete record was not kept and 1t is impossible to give full list of articles recovered. As for as shown by the rec ords, it is:
 Perry Meeker, Weston, cart rope; Geo. B Thorpe Weston, turkey and eggs; ". 5. Os borne, Aspetuck, steel square; Uriah Perry Greenfield, two planes,two bits s,chlsels, Brad ley MerTin pair adze plane, niee compass cIa@ saw Benedict, Branehville. two hams. shoulder A. N. Pillow, three hams shoulder; Larry Hoy Jennings, horse blanket; Charles Gray, saw set, chisel, reamer, glass cutter, putty knlfe iron plane, patent level, reamer for spokes die and taps; Bradley Perry, long jointee plane; R. B. Perry, shears; A. J. Gray, jacl plane, spirit level, hollow augur and bit, bi stone, pair nippers, wood box awIs; Jonathan Banks, horse blanket, stocking yarn, broad cloth; Marvin Goodsell, bushel basket, prun ing saw; J. H. Lee, Redding, plated knives plated forks, table spoon, solid teaspoons silk handkerchief whisk broom,2 pairs stock ings, collar pin, bead purse, pair of gloves among the missing articles stolen from NJ Lees are spoons marked M. E ? forks M IL. sugar tongs gold pin, silk handkerchief; JohI F. Morehouse, pick, smoothing plane can A. W. Raymond, wood rasp, wagon wrench Danbury vest, shirts, old spectacles, brush watch, breast pin, rubber gloves, stolen iron dy, alarm clock, Mikado glass, rubber chain 10. o. F. pin, bracelets, gents beaver glove bar; Mrs c. Swartz, South Norwa1k, soal dishes,2 butter dishes 2 mugs, 2whisk broom
 and holders, pitcher, kettle, set dominoes, oi