The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-24
TOOK The GANG.
Band of Thieves Broken Up
by the City Detectives.
They Had Been at Work for Over a
Year in Lakewood.
Had Commenced the Round Again,
Visiting Places Robbed Before.

For nearly one year a gang OF thieves
have made life quite uncomfortable for
storekeepers and others in and about
Lakewood, and the officers have never
been able TO get any trace OF them.
About a year ago, the blacksmith shop
of James knight in that village was
broken into. An entrance was effected
through cellar window, and the men,
to get into the shop upon the next floor,
were obliged to get through a scuttle, and
upon this particular night the scuttle
was covered with lot OF horse shoes,
the weight of which was 500 pounds or
more. When Mr.. Knight came in the next
morning he found that his shop had been
entered, but with the exceptions of few
tools nothing was taken. Among the
tools missing was chisel. The same
night that Mr.. Knights shop was broken
into an attempt was made 10 get into the
depot, and one or two other places, but
the men did not meet with much success.
They had evidently left for home, and
when near the city line broke into Wallis
grocery store, and here they made haul
of about S175.
At Mr.. Wallis store they broke open
the transom over the front door, and Mr..
Wall is quite positive that he had forgot
ten TO lock his safe that evening, but the
compartment which contained the cash
was locked. This they forced open by
first drilling and then using other tools.
All of the places that had been tam
pered with and Mr.. Wallis store showed
that the chisel stolen from Mr.. knights
blacksmith shop, were used TO open the
doors and windows.
:. At this time no trace of the men could
be had. but the tools stolen from the
blacksmith shop were found few days
later buried at the foot of Washington
avenue near the river. These were re-
turned to Mr.. Knight.
After this every storekeeper in this
place have added dog or two to his
stock and heavy board shutters were
placed upon the doors and windows. This
seemed TO have put an end TO the work
of the marauders.
Last Friday night Mr.. Knights black
smith shop was broken into again, and
in the same manner and among the tools
stolen was the same chisel that had been
taken at the previous visit of the men.
The men went TO work at the same store
again, and this time they made an at
tempt to get into the depot Nearly every
store in the place showed that the men
had tried TO gain admittance In some
way. but so far as known their trip was
without profit.
This time the citizens informed Detec-
tive Parker OF the affair, for the citizens
were positive that the men belonged IN
this city. Detectives Parker and Cannon
began hunt for the men, and at 4:l5
this morning four of them were safe be-
hind the bars at the Fountain street sta
tion. The first TO fall was Francis Muir
ply, who lives in "Dogtown. Ii was
known that he had entered the barn oil
c. j. Cotton on Manchester street few
nights ago. Murphy did not think that
this was what he was wanted for, but as
he was connected with a tough gang, MIR.
Parker thought that perhaps he might
know something about the Lakewood
affair, and he did, for something that he
said led the detectives TO think that
those that had hand in the matter were
near at hand.
After making sure of Murphy the de-
tectives went to the home of George
Eukers, on Point street Here they
found the door of his room fastened
with the chisel stolen from Knight
blacksmith shop, and a number OF arti
cles stolen from Lakewood were also
found here. Eukers was locked up, but
put on bold front, denying everything
The detectives next called at the home
of George Stanley, alias 1.-The Bum, OF
Eddy street. He, without much cere
mony, was hustled of to the station
They next called upon Peter Donohue
alias "The Pig, at his home on Poin'
street. He was soon locked up with hi
three chums.
| After Eukers was told by Detective
| Parker about the chisel he acknowledge
| that he was one of the chaps that haC
! been doing "workn at Lakewood.
Murphy pleaded guilty this morning
| to stealing the goods from Cotton OF
| Manchester street, and was fined s2O an'
| costs.
1t is possible that Donohue will be re
| leased. as the officials are somewhat II
doub of proving anything against hlm
! but Shanly and Eukers, they are sure OF
Deputy Sheriff Lynch was in town TN
| morning and at l1.30 10 day took Shan
| ley and Eukers to Cranston.
! All of the men are young, Eukers belnl
the oldest, and he is not more than "a
| They are all well dressed, and TO all ap
pearaces are smart, and do not look INK
| criminals.
EulSers Is the head OF the gang, an
has been under police surveillance 10
more than 10 years, and while the polio
are positive that he has been connected
| with number of shady transaction
they have not, until now, been able L
get a hold on him.
The detectives are looking for more eyl
dence today, and they are quite sure tina
when Warwick has finished with the me
they Will he wanted in Providence.
The police feel highly elated over Tn
affair, and are positive that much OF IN
sneak thieving that has been going on
the city for some time has come 10
| end