Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1893-01-06
AN ORGANIZED BAND
WHO HAVE BEEN RoBslNG EVERY
STORE IN ALBANY
For The Past Five Years, Supposed 10 DO
Broken Up by a Clew That Was
Discovered Yesterday.

Albany, Tex, Jan. 5.--CSpecini) AL
bauy has been stirred during the past
three days by the uncarthng Of what
seems 20 bee n well organized baud Of
burglars in our midst The dcprcdations
of the band have extended bacl, over Il
period of five years or moro. and not
one OF our business houses has been un-
molestcd, An Efforts of the officers to
trace these robbers have failed. although
special men have been placed on duty
10y the sheriff 20 track them and several
houses have employed night watchmon
Tor the purpose Of catching them In their
raids,
A clue was afforded on Sunday night
TO Jas. Melton, who IN conversation with
one Of the gang named Biggs, who was
at the time intoxicated, gave the whole
gang away. Mr.. Melton at once pro-
ccedcd TO pump the man in earnest with
tho result that early ON Monday an in
yestigation was commenced by Sheriff
w. A. Williams and County Attorney
j. II. Warren. Biggs was put on the
stand and search warrant for the home
of I'd Russell, one Of the defendants.
was issued. Nothing was found on the
first search, but the conduct of Russell
who made many requests that the search
be postponed, but failing In that made
IN unsuccessful attempt 10 shoot one Of
the sheriil's deputies. led 10 second
search, when some jugs of whisky were
found. Russell was left at home but
his house was watched by the officers,
who think from the smoke and flames
rising from the chimney that he spent
the day and night In burning the goods
supposed 10 luve been concealed on his
premises. lie was placed under arrest
on an affidavit from the informer. j.
H. Biggs, and another search was made
resulting In the finding of an unused
lotl of shoes and shirts Russell Is IN
jail, pending an examining trial on va
rous charges.
Joe Holmes. the other member was ar
rested yesterday az Mack & Co.'s ranch
about twenty miles west of this place,
where he was 0t work as a carpenter.
he was brought IN last night and had
an examining nial on the Charge of bur-
gl0rlZng the saloon Of w. %. Bates on
Nov. Z, 90. He was unable TO give bond
and Is Ia jail with Russell pending the
result of further. investigation into the
numerous chnrges which Biggs. their for
''f'f 'NAAl tttAANHf hhN INV hNAA ~ Us uAlAkn
against them.
IL is supposed that Biggs testimony
viii take another week rs there are n
number Of charges 90 be investigated
and the progress is necessarily slow
Bggs Is reluctant 20 testify because
he snys he fears for his life
The amount of the thefts viii never
be definitely known, but Il will run up
into the thousands In goods and merchan-
disc. Several hundred dollars In money
has lately been stolen by some one, aud
some people charge the theft 10 them.
The character of the men has always
been considered good excepting both
drank q good deal Both are carpenters
by trade and until recently no one has
laid these chnrges at their doors
The citizens are thoroughly aroused
over the matter aud ere working with
the officers IN their efforts TO bring to
justice the offenders
Special deputies have been appointed
20 make further investigations and 70 Is
thought other details win develop. Rus
sell made bond this evening and was re-
Jail.