The herald., 1894-04-13
ARREST OF ROSCOE ROBBERS,
Three Men Captured by Marshal
George Gard.
John Comstock, Pat Fitzsimmons
and w. ThOrne the Men.
j. v. Brighton of EvAas-MorsI Fame
Works Up the Case - The Evil
dsnos Against tho
Suspects.

II
been captured. This time the arrests
were made by United States Marshal
George E. Gard. The men charged
with the crime are John Com stock. Pat.
rick Fitzsimmons and Walter Thorne,
all residents of the Little Tsjungs cafion,
Is miles northwest OF the city,
Oomstock and Thorns were arrested
at 10 O'Clock yesterday morning on the
formers ranch, while Fitzslmmons was
not brought in until last night. The
first named were locked in iron cells at
the county Jail while Fitzsimmons was
taken to the city prison.
STORY OF THE CRIME.
Every body remembers the dastardly
crime with which the men are charged.
1t was on the 18th of last February that
Southern Pacific overland train No. 20
was ditohed at the little station Roscoe,
IL miles north of the city. Fireman
Arthur Masters and Arthur Daily of this
city were killed, Wells. Fargo & Co.. =
express robbed of over $4,000, the express
car splintered with dynamite and the
locomotive smashed almost beyond re-
pair. The robbers escaped and LETT no
trace by which they might be identified.
They are thought to be the same rob-
oers who, on the 2lst of last December,
held up Southern Pacific train at the
same place, although in an entirely dif-
ferent manner. On this occasion they
secured little money.
THE FIRST ARREST.
Officers and detectives have been
hunting constantly for the perpetrators
of the robberles. 1t was left to Con-
stable L. D. Rogers to make the first ar
rest. and be looked up Alvs johnson aud
George Smith, residents OF the Big
Tejunga caflon. The third suspect,
Thompson, had left the country. AT
the preliminary examination johnson
and Smith were discharged, although
the circumstantial evidence was strong
against thsm.
MARSHAL CARDS WORK
Marshal Gard, as is usual with him,
has acted with accustomed shrewdnes.
ever since the robbery took place He
has affected an innocent air, and has
recently posed as knowing nothing
whatever of the case, and most people
had begun to believe that the capturer
OF Evans and Sontag had given up the
search.
Soon after the willy marshal assisted in
the capture of Evans and Morel at
Visalia two months ago, he had his
trusted detective, J. Y. Brighton. work.
ing on the Roscoe robbery case. Brigh-
ton was the betrayer of the bandits, and
WAS working under Gard since the
esoRpe of Evans,
HOW IT WAS DONE.
Brighton's detective qualities were
displayed Ia that instance. and Marshal
Gard Immediately set him to work to
apprehend the mardsrers and robbers
who have made Roscoe a scene OF terror.
He went out to the Tejungs csflon and
under the name of Frank Hudson
engaged himself as lGborer.
He had a good clue, which was given
the officers the morning following the
robbsry. Nearly every detective en-
gagged in the search worked it out but
soon abandoned it. 1t MAS like hun
died other clues.
The clue was given the officers by P.
E. King, but by some no attention was
paid to it. 1t was said that King had
sit in" for these men.
Under Marshal Cards instructions
dence OF Comstock, Thorne and Fitzsim-
mons, thereby obtaining the evidence
upon which they were arrested. Six
weeks ago Brighton went into the Te-
iunga disguised as q miner. He laid his
plans we'll, and succeeded in getting all
evidence obtainable.
THE EVIDENCE SECURED.
The general evidence he secured was
circumstantial. He found that the
tracks leading from the robbery were
made by wagon whose tire CORES
ponded exactly with that used by the
bandits. The horses hoofs tailed ex-
actly with the tracks. The dog that
was noticed at the robbery has been
identified as belonging to Comstock.
The canine was one of the breed that al
ways follows its master, and on this oc-
casion it took in the sights at tho Ros-
coe robbery, and may thus be the means
of aiding in convicting the suspected
men. Marshal Gard refused to give out
any of the convincing evidence, but it is
certain that something sensational will
be adduced at the examination which
will be held before Justice Bartholomew
next week.
Soon after the men were arrested
yesterday, Detective Len Harris, the
courageous man who was shOt almost to
pieces in the Ceres train robbery near
Fresno, two and half years aGo, un-
earthed shotgun and mask made of
an old hat. They wers found under an
old mattress in a ehsnty at Comstock's
residence. They are thought to have
been used at the first robbery,
THE ARRESTS MADE.
Comstock and Thorne were arrested at
10 o'clock at their home in the Little
Tejunga canon, miles from San Fer
nsndo. Marshal Gard went to San Fer
nendo early yesterday morning aud
there met Len Harris, to whom he mad
telegraphed to be in waiting and to assist
in making the arrest.
Detective Bowler OF the Southern Pa
cific company, and Deputy Sheriff Will
liam Hammel had gons out the night
before. Deputy United States Marshals
Harry Johnson and James Rshling of
this city and Deputy ShRugg OF San Fer
nando also accompanied the marshal
when the arrests were made.
When the posse reached the house OF
Comstock and young Thorne, and placed
them under arrest. they very naturally
became greatly agitsted. Comstock
asked what charge had been made
against them.
Marshal GaM replied that he had not
seen the warrant and could not tell him.
He was allowed TO 20 into an adjoining
room to change his clothing before being
brought to the city. His wife went into