The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1894-01-25
A. BIG HAUL.
Jim Armistead and Dave Hardy
Raid a Clifton Forge Store
and Come to Grief

Tuesday evening Jim Arnistead, a
young colc~ed boy of this place. and
Dave Hardy, alias Alex. johnson, were
committed to Jail here by Mayor God
win, upon the suspicion OF having stolen
goods from dry good store in Clifton
Forge. The goods were found ia the
house here where Armistca lives and
amounted to between $3.50 and = 200, CON
sisting of fine dress goods, ladies cioaks,
etc.
The robbery was bold one. aud the
authorities here had very little diff ;o!ty
in capturing the criminals, although they
made efforts to escape.
From Information cotton from the
prisoners, it seems that they robbed the
store of E. Theo Miller 81 Co, at Clifton
For ge, probably Monday night, and
brought them to Eagle Rock on a coal
train. There they hired a coiored MAD,
James Rogers, to bring them in wagon
to Fincastle. They stopped at Catawba
near town and carried the goods by Il
crcuitous route to town, where they
were subsequently found. Tue men had
told Rogers to wait until they returned
when they would pay him for hauling
the goods. They did not not put i'll an
| appea rance, however. and Rogers came
to town and seeking the town sergeant,
| gave him ii QScCIlDUlClI VI tAlC WV iAS
groes, and their arrest soon followed.
This information was cleaned from con
fession by the negroes now under ar
rest.
When the warrants were issued for the
arrest the sergeant, with Messrs Bruce
Thompson, r Ii. Crush, and L. n. Pet
tigrew, who were deputized, proceeded
to Armistead's home where he was found
but while the sergeant was reading the
warrant Jim 'made break through
the window. carrying the sash with him.
He made little Roadway until pistol
shot caused him to halt. This shot.
which was fired by Mr.. Thompson, was
not made with view to njure the fu
gitive but with the purpose of at first
soaring him into measures. Later on
Hardy was discovered near town in
hiding, but was captured with but little
resistance. He would, however, have
made a vicious resistance with anything
| like chances.
Hardy bears bad reputation here.
He came here under the name of Alex
johnson, but. was recognized by Il gen
tlelnan from Roanoke, who said he was
known there as Dave Hardy
The authorities of Clifton Forge
were immediately written to, and yes
teray telegram was received here from
Ille HfIil ueSCI lDluS llle SOcuS anu dohlHS
the Mayor to hold the prisoners unit
the sheriff of Allegheny arrives, wher
they will be taken to Covington anc
held for trial.
Special police officer w. G. Eakin. o
Roanoke. came here yesterday for Har
dy, but the Allegheny authorities hat
prior claim upon him, and his case
together with that of his companion
will be passed upon by an Alleghan,
jury 51castle HerQ1d
The negroes referred to above were
brought to this city on Friday evening
last by Sergeant Gleason and placed il
the lock up, and on Saturday were giyel
a preliminary hearing before Mayo
Days, and in default Of bail were re
manded to Jail at Covingtcn to avail
the action of the Grand Jury. Most o
the stolen property was recovered, bu
in damaged condition, having beer
soiled by contact with a freight ear.
The men have confessed their gull
and implicate an unknown white mai
who was here few days prior to thu
robbery, engaged in Wending umbrellas