Morning journal and courier., 1892-09-20
The flaming Gang.

William Tanning and John Murphy were
in the city court yesterday morn
Ing on the charge of highway robbery.
The men were positively identified by
William Crowley, who was held up by
them and robbed. Other witnesses testi-
fed to having seen both the men running |
at that time or shortly after. The men
claimed that they wore at the time of the
robbery in q lodging house in Prindle al
Icy. The case was continued in order that
the keeper of the house might appear and
be heard.
William Tanning, the accused, is known
to the police as the leader of a dangerous
gang of thieves and pickpockets. He is
thirty one years old and has served term
in the Auburn penitentiary and one in
Wethersfeld. While in Auburn he sue
cessfully planned an escape, four of his
fellow prisoners escaping with him. He,
with three others, was recaptured. About
eleven years ago he was arrested by OH
GERS Flannery and McAvoy for burglary,
and while being taken to the station asked
Officer Flannery to let him get his hand
kerchief. The officer complied and Fan
ming took out his handkerchief, in which
he deftly concealed his knife.
He could only use one hand as Officer
McAvoy held the other. He opened the
knife with his teeth and was just about to
use it when Officer McAvoy. who had OBJ
| served him more, shouted to Officer Elan
| merry who wrenohed the knife from the
prisoners hand. Tanning was released
under bonds of $1,000, furnished by his
| father, q very honest and respectable citi-
zen. Tanning skipped his bond, almost
running his poor old father. He does not
associate with the gang unless he wishes
their assistance in some job.
Joseph Tanning, the brother next In
age, is now serving his third term in
states prison. He was sent to states
prison for completely in another highway
robbery. While being taken from the jail
to states prison he tried to cut his throat.
He is twenty six years old.
James Tanning, twenty-four years old,
is the third of the Tanning brothers. He
has not given the police any trouble of
late. Daniel Tanning is the youngest of
the brothers who works with this gang.
He is now in Jail for breach of tho peace.
He has not been In states prison but has q
lengthy jail record.
Pierce Dorney, with term in Weathers.
field checked against him, is William Fan
ing's right hand man. He is an ex
perienced sneak thief and very daring
Gilbert Cannon, alias "Butch," Danny
Bohan, "Black Jack" John Cumming
and James Carey are lesser lights of thu
gang. James Rooney is another. He II
supposed to have been connected will
"Bulp' McGarry, another of the gang, il
highway robbery on Water street abou
year ago. He left town about that tim
and was gone for few months. Will
! away he had both his legs cut off Will
trying to steal a ride on the West Shor
railroad. He is now around on cork legs
Murphy, who is now under arrest, is no
very we'll known to the police. He ha
worked very quietly.
b This gang operates in the section of tn
:; city bounded by Grand avenue, DIV
, street and the water. They stop pedestrl
. ans and threaten to whip them unless the
receive some money.
:, They make their headquarters in Dunn
= barn on East street or Hughes barn in tn
annex. The proceeds of their begging
bulldozing and thievery go for beer c
The father of the Tanning boys, Josep
: Tanning, is a very honest, hard-workin
9 man. He was nearly ruined when Willial
q skipped bond of 81 900 furnished by hi
as before stated. His Oldest son, Michae
o is harmless fellow, whose only fault is a
+ occasional drunk. The youngest boy, Johr
l aged sixteen, is very good, dutiful sol
), and is idolized by his kind and fon