New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-22
BOY BANDITS DISBANDED.
" THE RED RANGERS OF THE PASCACh
TRACKED TO THEIR LAIR.
IN HUT HIDDEN IN THE WOODS NEAR PARK
RIDGE THESE NEw-JERSEY DEsPERADOES
DIVIDED THE SPOIL TAKEN FROM
PLUNDERED GROCERY STORES.

RIDGE, THESE NEw-JERSEY DESPERADoEs
DIVIDED THE SPOIL TAKEN FROM
PLUNDERED GROCERY STORES.
Park Ridge ~ j.. Aug. Fl tSpecial) Justice
William b. Smith, Of this place, has succeeded III
dispensing gang Of boy bandits, who, under the
title Of The Red Rangers of the Pasca"k, are
charged with levying tribute on many citizens
of the surrounding country. 1t was reported some
time ago that "A number of boys mad a hldihs
place in the woods near the town, wherc they
gathered and divided the spoils OF depredatiohs,
but not until Justice Smith was appealed 10 anu
went on the trail the perfection of the ors'ni-
zation made known.
The exposure was brought about by a compiaih'
of Fred C. Lnderman, who swcre that he sus-
pccted Carl Frohn, George Reid, ferry brans
grove, Frederick vanbuckum, Albert frohn'
Charles Latterman and George Ackerman OF INV
ing stolen syrup, soda, door, lumber, Kerosene
cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, bar OF iron'
pals, cuspidors, nails, hammers, torches and other
artic9,s from the stores of Gerhard H. 1iemeyer
and William Kamrs, the New-Jersey and New
York Railroad, the Island Park and the C0l0rcd
Peoples picnic grounds and from the Foresters
Hail. On this complaint Justice Smith Issued a
warrant for the arrest of the boys, and an oihccr
went to the woods on the hill east of the village
in search Of the retreat of the Red Rangers,
name symbolized by the red shirts worn by mem
bers Of the band.
I'm a secluded place, obscured by heavy under
brush, the officer came upon well-worn path that
was guarded by a rudely lettered sign, NO
trcspassingT This warning was posted in several
nlaces through the woods. Disreearding the ad-
monition the officer kept on the trail ana soon
came upon "A small clearing, in winch was the
ruin Of the hut of the Rangers.
The bandits had learned that Justice Smith was
after Them and they destroyed their headquarters
before scattering 10 their homes. lhcre was am-
ple evidence that the missing articles had been
used by the boys in their hut. In addition IL
arpnared that they had taken lessons from
j-ccnt stories samples OF which were iouhd Ill
Nat Woods'- Capture of Keno Clark, King Of
the Diamond Lifters,' A Dangerous Case Tor Nat
Woods: or. Yellow Dicks Last Ireachery"
The boys were armed, and had made arrange
mcnts for all the comforts OF forest nome
They were getting along famously when, py the
untmcly appearance Of Mrs. Smell in tile door
of icmeyers store one day last week. one vi '''e
Rangers" was discovered in the act OF trans
i.rrng 10 his pocket bottle OF syrup rom WHICH
Temperance drin ks are made Mrs. nneIl eHposeu
this Illegal business method, and the result was
the apprehension of the boys. Mr. llemcyer
-aid he had no idea how much had been taken
from his store, but that il was often an easy
matter for dishonest persons to " work the place
by ordering oil or some other article for which
the attendant, often alone in the place. had 70
90 to the cellar. A similar trick was played at
hamps- store.
Justice Smith had all the boys brought before
him on Saturday, some Of them being accompanied
by their parents. George Reid admitted that
the hut had been built after school hours, ard
other boys told how they had procured many
Of their supplies.
ing ! L. Storms Editor of "The Park Ridge
Local. he decided 10 let the accused lads of
with "A reprimand which he administered with a
latherly grace They promised, between sobs,
that they would never range again.