The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-19
a Gang orpickpoche,. Captured.

A gang of pick pockets has been fol-
lowing Hon! w. j. Bryan and his party
from Chicago all around. and the detec-
tives have been unable to capture them
Yesterday they started from Rocky
Mount with the intention of going 10
Richmond, but when they got to We'll
don they mistook their train, and took
the Seaboard, Air Line train for this
city. They had no sooner got on the
train than they began operations on the
passengers. There were six in the gang
by the time they reached Garysburg
n. c., the conductor tumbled to their
racket, and so Informed the Sheriff, who
was near there. Two of the gang sus-
picioned what was going on. and jump
ed the train. They were followed by the
sherin. and finding they were about to
De captured, fired on him several times
put this never daunted him. and he
finally captured both men
The train proceeded to this city.
Upon arriving at Suffolk Constable
Branch. who happened to be at the
depot, was informed by Conductor Che
vase of what had happened He came
10 portsmouth with the train and by the
Time the train had left Suffolk Constable
Branch had spotted his men. and work
gu niue ruse on them. The four men
were sitting in separate seats, and he
asked them If they would not sit to-
Eether as he expected several pa ssengers
To get on a the next station. and want
ed TO make room for them. They readi-
~ consented. suspecting nothing, think
ing the constable was one OF the train
men. ne having cap on. After that
ne told the conductor to telegraph to
portsmouth for the police TO meet the
train, and then he had the door locked
after which he stepped up TO the four
men win pistol In each hand. and
toIo them that they were his prisoners
They Immediately began to kick. but
they saw the determination in his eve,
ana concluded il would be unwise TO
make move of any kind. so they re-
manned perfectly quiet When the train
reached PORTSMOUTH Chief lyman. Lieu
tenant only, Deputy Sheriff Siverson.
ana substitute officer Warren were
there waiting for these men,
Inc door was unlocked, and the Off
GERS entered. They handcuffed the four
men and carried them TO the city iail.
where they gave their names as Edwa rd
lawrence. Peter Howard, Henry Mar
tin, and f. j. McClennan. They were
searched and the following articles were
lounu on them: a complete outfit for
pocket picking. consisting of scissors
lor cutting chains and peck cts, hooks of
dlilerent kinds, &c. railroad tickets
knives. pocket combs, tooth brushes and
q number of other articles.
lawrence hap $40 in money in denomi-
nations from hone cent to twentyfive
cents. Howard had s25. which Included
~ solu pleSe. Martin had $3.50, one
paper dollar, and the balance In 25 cent
pieces. McClennan had only $3.50, which
was IN change from i've cents to twenty
1--WE cents. They also had collars and a
number of other articles.
Tne men claim to be from the North
west and were travelling for pleasure
one or them Is not more than eighteen
years OF age, and the others are from
twenty-one to thirty years old.
IL soon Spread that these mon had
Deen captured. and in a few moments
me station house was crowded with
people anxious to get n glimpse of the
None of them seemed the least ner-
Ipus wien they were assigned to cells.
,ihey were separated so that they could
nave no conversation with each other
Ihey VIII have n hearing this morn
ing. so mat Constable Branch can re-
turn to Suffolk