Evening journal., 1895-12-11
A MODERN DICK TURPlN.
Robs a Colored Man of His
Overcoat at a Pistols Mouth.
oNE OF A GANG OF HIaHwAYMES


Thomas Genties, Captured ny the Police,
Tells a wonderful story OF the Doings
of the Folly woods Desperadoes- rhey
Levy contributions ON Uuwary Travel
era-The Robbers Armed and VIII
Fight
The story related by Thomas Gsutle g.
hlghwaymsn, tramp, ETC., 60 the vii
mington authorities, reads like page
from ancient history when Dick Turpin,
Jack Sheppard and his companions held
royal sway over the high roads and
levied contribution from the uuwary and
unwilling traveller HIS tale, which be
seems TO have no hssitancy In telling TO
any one who will listen, points TO n
remarkable condition Of affairs In the
state ard particularly In the vicinity Of
WILMINGTON.
The authorities, while they bslieve
that he Il giving IL slightly high
colorlng. believe the msi)r portion Of
his statements are true and arc hard sc
work trying 20 break up the gang, Of
which he was q member.
About 8 o'clock last evening r young
colored man giving his name vs. John
Gibbs OF Wyoming entered the police
ntstion and notified Captain Kane that
he had b on robbed Of bis overcoat Ho
said that ho had bBen working outside
Wilmington and was on his way 70 the
city, " hen he stopped at camp Gre la
the West Yard 90 warm himself While
there man approached and after saking
him a. he had any money. drew a
revolver aud holding it Ia the frightened
negro's face remarked draw that over
coat, You Niger or III blow your brains
out Gibbs looked down the barrel Of
the gun aud then drew" the garment
which tho man AZ once donned Then
John made quick time TO Wilmington
and the police station.
Sergeant Bayley aud squad consisting
OF Oiiisers kellehsr, Peterson, Mcguire.
Ssroosky aud Riley, Janitor Tho aud
Lineman Hyland at once started Tor the
scene on special train. Gibbs going
along 20 identify tho thief The West
Yard was thoroughly searched but Ia
vain. and then the party proceeded TO
Newport where Gentles was found, cozlly
wrapped up In tho stolen coat, asleep Ia
pit near the furnace Ia the rolling mill
He was armed with an ugly looking
revolver. but nude no resistance and was
brought In aud locked up
Ia his cell he voluntarily told Of tbs
holding up OF Gibbs and said that he Was
a member OF n gang OF about dozen,
which has been operating In this state
for several months, robblng stores and
houses aud holding up travellers Until
a few days ego the band had headquarters
10 Folly woods. near Newport, and It is
believed that considerable booty
Is planted somewhere In the
woods now. Gentles. who is
A beetle browod. wicked looking fellow.
With bull dog looking mouth and chin,
claims that while he was associated with
the gang, be WAS not taken into thoil
confidence 20 any.great extent aud kne "
only by what they said. AS to whore the'
Cot the swag,snd where they diepossd oil
/ IL he also claimed not TO know the
names OF his companions From whal
be did say however Il ia inferred that the
three men captured NJ Laurel were mem
bers Of the band and we're simply of on
prospecting tour
This rame gang Is believed 10 have
mmitted the many burglerles In this
section and the numerous hold ups Of
fsrmers on the roads.
/ Gentlos Was arraigned this moruing Ia
/ Municipal Court ou two charges, OF
highway robbery and carrying concealed
a deadly weapon he pleaded guilty bul
Judge Ball declined 60 receive the plea
and held him IN ,000 bail for the
upper court, Gibbs was held aa wit
ness, pending his finding Of some one WHO
will vouoh for his appearance.
The prisoner, GentleB say the high
way men are heavily armed aud will make
a hard fight before they will allow them
selves to be captured That fact viii
cut very little Ice with the officers, hoE
ever