The Newtown bee., 1891-05-15

hair pins; Gershom Hiil corn Harry Nash, lock; H. B. Burr, Greenfield, overcoat, kniv- eS, forks H. B. Platt, Sanford Station, pair tobacco hooks, horse blanket, robe; A. B. Mills, pitchfork, demijohn, hen holder, mo
 lasses cup,top, pocket dictionary; w. T. Cor ham, Bedding, cross cut saw, buck saw, mon- key wrench, double spring trap, bits, taps, screw driver, awl, gauges, drawing knife; F. B. Sherwood purse.
 Among the things which remained un- til the last were the vari-colored flags hung in front and the large green par rot indoors. Much of the plunder was of no use to the thieves, could not be readily sold, and was a constant source of possible discovery. Certainly the gang grew bolder as time went on, for most of the depredations have been com- mtted within the past two years. The origin of the gang is not clear. Lud- dington, who is a fiery, lightning-like man of about 40, is believed to have committed such petty crimes as chicken stealing when in Little York and Good Hill and even previous to that. The burglary of the mill and grocery store of k. N. Sipperley was the first serious crime they committed. That occurred in September, four years ago and about $l50 worth of goods taken, including $3 in pennies. An unsuccessful attempt was made to blow open the safe. Lud- dington and his gang were suspected, and a search of the premises of Bedient, who then occupied the Boss Hull place, revealed part of the goods. Learning that Luddington, then living at the Sherwood place, then owned by l.. F. Sherwood of Southport, near Frank l.. Sherwood's, was implicated in the robbery, Mir Spperley proceeded thither, accompanied by Deputy Sheriff Fred kemper and Lawyer Moses w. Wilson, who had drawn the search warrant. Luddington and Burr Goodsell were found covering up the stolen goods with hay. GoOdsell claimed that he was lg- norant of the crime and was not arrested, but Luddington and Bedient were taken to Westport and put in the lookup for safe keeping. The next morning, the bars of a window were bent apart and the bird had flown, though, some think, not without assistance. Bedient. was sen- tenced to the State prison for IS months, and is said to have been in a second time, six months, for similar offence. Of late, he is understood to have been in Fairfield, and Sheriff Toner came there for him, this week, Bedient having stolen a horse from the South Norwalk deputy sheriff. LuddingtOn made good his escape to New York State, obtained $l1 in 17 days and returned to Connecti- cut, to resume his former mode of gain ing a livelihood. Until about a year ago, Luddington lived in the old Sher- wood place; then, that being sold to Elihu Smith, moved to the Boss Hull place and increased his activity. His gang is at present said to consist of him. self, Dora ConrOy, Joe Brown, at the Boss Hull place; Dave McEwen and Mrs Henry Luddington in Bridgeport; spies, elsewhere; Ike Bedient is thought to be pal. Luddington came to the Sher- WOOL place in the Fall of 1881 or the NNv do hhy oughly familiar with the life and habits of all his neighbors. One way of ascer- taining was to knock loudly at the door, and if any one came, to ask simple question and to pass on. If not, the door was forced or the lock picked. For the first few years, he used to do days work and managed in this way to famil- iariZe himself with the details of a house, so that it was but the work of an instant to seize what he wished and depart. But chicken stealing was his forte. If all the poultry stolen by him were to arise and cackle, the chorus would be deafening. From far and near the fowls were brought; from Trumbull on the east, Ridgetield on the west; Danbury, Bethel, NeWtown on the north. The Sound was the southern limit of the range. One was not too few, and three or four score not too many to receive at tention at one visit from the thieves. Many poor widow has been robbed of her spending money. With hams,it Was nearly as bad; with butter, sWeetmeats and all manner of domestic provision. It was never difficult to dispose of such goods, and Dora Conroy was often seen going to and from Bridgeport. She drove a fine bay horse, handsomely built animal and an unsurpassed road ster--one of the few of their possessions which had been bought, not stolen. This horse has been attached by Horace Burr as security for $50 stolen from his house during the funeral of Frank Gould, when several other houses were entered. At tachments were also to have been put upon the horse, which has been in the Westport stable of Sheriff Daniel Dris- coll, by Iverson Fanton and David Par sons, to secure claims for money stolen, about $l0 each. A carriage, which has been repaired, is said to be one that Luddington bought. The house is ex- tremely small and it would seem almost impossible that so much plunder could be slowed away in so small space; there was only a cellar and four small rooms. All were piled high, however, and there was not a little in the barn and else where. The quantity of feathers found near by was astounding. The whole house was dark, ill-ventilated and foul smelling and there is surprise that no in fectious disease had broken out and swept away the family. This house. known as the Boss Hull place, is one that Carpenter Benjamin Hull, familiarly known as Boss Hull, moved years ago, upon land obtained of EleaZur Sher- wood, father of Frederick B. Sherwood. Here he lived for a number of years. At his death, though leaving large family, the place was given to Isaac Patterson of New Canaan, who had cared for both Boss Hull and the place. Patterson now claims it, but the records of Fairfield, in which town the place stands, show no deed later than that to Eleazur Sher- wood hence, F. B. Sherwood justly con- siders that the land is his and that the land holds the buildings. The house was locked when Aaron Mills left it and
 is now vacant, the children of Ludding- ton being now in Bridgeport. Both East wood and his wife, parents-in-law of Luddington, were with him when he first came to Greenfield, and are said to have assisted in his robberies, but both are now dead. This capture is one of the most important made in that section in years and reflects great credit upon all concerned. The true state of affairs at the Luddington domicile has long been suspected by neighbors and others
 who knew of the circumstances under . which they lived. An effort was made |, to interest the Bridgeport police in the case, but the evidence offered was not deemed sufficient at the time. Residents of Greenfield, who have constantly maintained that this gang, or members .. of it. was responsible for the murderous assault on Capt William Bradley, year or so ago, have had their suspicious i, we'll nigh confirmed by the discovery o1 : butter pots similar to those stolen iron Capt Bradley's, and by revolver o1 , peculiar make, loaded with bullets ex , actly like one dropped from the revolver } at Capt Bradley's. At the time of tht burglary, committee of five offered :