The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-10-01
Knightsyille Infested by a
Gang Of Crooks.
4 Brutal Assault and Several Rob-
berIes Committed tast Night, 2
The Miscreants Are Supposed to BE
Ex-Convicts Led by George Elliot.

For several days past the neig hborhoods
of Knightsvills and Cranston have been
thrown into q state of uproar and fear by
periodical invasions of a gang OF Jail
birds whom every man, woman and child
in this section breads as Jesse James and
his gang were feared in the wild West.
The readers of The News will recollect
that last Wednesday and Thursday thieves
entered the barn OF Mr.. Yeaw and also
the blacksmith shop OF the Crystal Ice
Company, both in Knightsville The
police force have been on the lookout for
the thieves and from certain facts gath
cred they concluded that the notorious
George Elliot. who was week ago re-
leased from Cranston Jail, was the leader
Of the gang. This Elliot, II will be re-
mem bered, was supposed to have been in
the plot with Spiker Murphy to rob and
murder Mr.. Patrick O'Dowd OF Cranston
Elliot's courage failed him and he gave
the whole plot away. About IL O'Clock
last night this George Elliot and two
companions entered the barroom OF the
Knightsville hotel and entered into con-
versation with Mr.. Holman, the proprie-
tor While thus engaged the gang made
a plunge for Mr.. Holman, but were met
by a revolver in the hands of that plucky
man. During the scufiie the men tried
TO disarm MIR. Holman, ard tie revolver
Was discharged. The robbers, fearing
that the shooting would bring nelp, took
10 their heels. Mr.. Holman, recognizing
Elliot, thought that morning would be
time enough to report the matter.
The theory is that Elliot and his pals
hid themselves somewhere In the brush
bet ween KnightsyIIle and Cranston until
about O'Clock, and then started on a
tour.
Evidently the men were thirsty for the
first place they visited was Mr. Patrick
O'Dowd's saloon, on Cranston street, in
Cranston. Here they quenched their
thirst with the best and took a supply
with them. They next visited the dry
goods store of Miss Ann Farrell, which is
The men did not rob in a haphazard
style, but were particular about their
booty First they looked to the inner
man, and then they prepared 10 clothe
the outer man. In Miss Farrells store
the three fellows disrobed themselves,
threw their cid and dirty underclothing
on the floor and robed themselves in the
best suits OF underclothlng that were in
the store.
The men are not cute at the robbing
profession, for they left traces behind
them that will evidently connect them
with previous robberies. A box OF tools
was the baggage left behind. 1t contained
three chisels, able, one large axe and one
small axe, spirit level, plane and
piece of brass tubing. These tools were
claimed this morning by Mr. Charles
Slocum of.Knight htsville. He reports that
during last night his barn was broken
into and these tools were taken. George
Elliot is the suspect. Mr.. Holman identi-
fies him without question as the man
who, with two accomplices, attacked
him last night in his barroom. The rob-
berries occurring so soon sfterward and
Elliot being by reputation a crook, he is
the one whom the police connect with
the outrages. He was released last week
upon the expiration of 90--dsy sentence
for stealing a COW from Charles Stone of
X hnightsville.
The police force are on the lookout for
any suspicious characters and il is likely
that the points already gained will lead
before night.
Orders are given to arrest the suspects
at any cost