The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1894-02-21
SECRETS OF A RODBER BAND.
ONE OF "C0L" HAMlLT0NS C0NFED-
CRATES MAKES A CONFESSION.

The confession Of John McClune, who is
in jail al Greeasburg awaiting sentence On
Two charges Of burglary, has caused a de-
cided sensation in the Ligonier Valley. The
declaration, which is sworn to, implicates a
number Of people prominent in Lieonier,
aud it is said parties residing in Somerset
and Cambria counties are also connected
with certain operations Of the notorious
Col Hamilton gang.
William Bell, whose home IS in Johns
town, is the only one of the number accused
who has so far been arrested. He was given
hearing on Monday, and in default Of
5000 bail was committed. Others accused
by McClune are Joseph Kuhns, who lives in
the mountains near Ligonie,; William
Thomas, w. ". Nicely, James Shrnm and
James Kearns, Of that immediate neighbor-
hood, and Lawrence Clifford, Of near La
trobe. Thomas is connected with a livery
stable at Lgonior. He is well known and
is REGARDED with esteem by those most IA
miIiar with him. Nicely owns 4 billiard
room at Ligonier. He is c)asin OF the
Nicely boys hanged several years ago for the
murder Of old man Umberger in the SoTrer-
set mountains. Shrnm is an old man /.
Kearns and Clifford are young fellows. 9th
er conspicuous figures are said to be named, ,
but precious few of them know whose repu-
tation has been asssiled, and the uncertainty
has provoked decided nervousness. Senti-
ment is divided on the trgstworthiness Of
the burglars sensational charges.
The first Of the robberies reciied in the
confession was thst Of Mrs. Sarah Miller,
whose home is in Lgonier About g 600
was taken from her house during the night.
John Gal6raith's home Sss then robbed OF
a gold watch snd small amount Of cash.
Dr. NJ. w. Miller's home was entered one
night. His clothes were carried oil while be
slept. with 500 in the pockets. Benjamin
Yeally, farmer, living near Ligonier, YVES
robbed Of but 81 He was supposed to have
a large sum Of money in his house. jacob
Hanger was robbed Of sl39. His brother,
who lives near Stahlstown, was robbed Of
$500. Marker & Son, leading merchants Of
Hgonier, had their safe blown open and
robbed Of q small amount. The post-Ofice
at Ligonier was looted Freeman Bros., the
millers, were robbed. About q week after
the mill was robbed thieves entered George
Freeman's bedroom and stole So from bis
vest pocket Mary Ann Shrum, OF Ligonier,
was robbed Of 81 25. She had about 81 eco
in trunk in her room. When awakened
by the burglars she dropped the money out
OF her room window into the back yard
Mrs. Boying,on, who lives near Ligonier,
had S75 ami some valuable jeEeiry taken
from her home one night. justice Beam, OF
Somerset county. resisted the burglars when
they visited his house lie was beaten and
died from the effects few weeks later The
thieves got bat a small sum Of money.
Beecher Barrone had a small sum stolen
from his home. Harry Marker, rich far
mer, whose property adjoins the town Of
Ligonier, was prepared for the thieves
When they attempted TO force their way in
to his house he held the door against them
until his son procured shot gun. When
the thieves fed Marker shot after them and
wounded Collins Hamilton, The wounded
man escaped. He was aherward arrested on
suspicion of having been connected with the
Jacob Hanger robbery. He was convicted
about six months ago and is nov serving
term Of seven years and five months in the
Riverside Peniientiagy.
About three months ago John McClune
and James Shrnm fought, and Shrum made
information against McClune, charging him
With robbiEg Mary Ann ShTum. McClune
was taken to jail in GEeeus5urg. lie promps.
ly set about to secure his relesse through the
efforts of his former friends. He had his
associates in jail write several letters 10 peo-
pie in Lgouier, asking them to help him
out, and threatening, if they did not essis;
him, be would .eil wha. he knew about the
r0bberies in the valley and who committed
them. One OF those letters vas given TO
Jsc5b Hanger, and was by him sent 70 Dis
trici- Attorney McCurdy. Armed with the
letter, McCuriy Went to the jiil and secured
from MeClane the story. He a;so secured
an agreement 10 90 into c5ur. ami plead
guilty to the shrum robbery, and 10 the rob
berry of Benjamin Yeally. The arrcs. Of
Be followed promptly.
All of the accused deny the charges made
in the confession, ayering that il is c black
mailing sehprna .ruevo-.f,- 90 90 l--....