The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1896-05-01

What is probably one of the most
extensive gangs of robbers that has
ever piled it's trade in Southern Min
nesota has been unearthed, and a
large amount of stolen goods has been
recovered. Two members Of the
band are under arrest, and the work
of accommodating evidence against
the others will go on.
The two men under arrest are
Dean Preston and Geo. Turrittin
both of Kasota, and the story of their
arrest is an interesting one. The case
really dates back to last December,
when holdups were frequently report
ed. Sheriff Bowen suspected Preston
of being one of the men who were do
ing this work, and has done more or
less toward securing evidence to bring
the man to justice. He came upon
considerable information, in this way.
Of late, the Chicago & Northwestern
road has suffered from sdepredations
in this vicinity, freight cars being
entered at this city. Kasota and ST..
Peter, and two weeks ago Detective
j. Morrissey, of Chicago, was put on
the case, and worked in the disguise
of a tramp at Kasota. Wednesday
Detective p Valley, also of Chicago,
joined him. The two are employed
in the secret service of the road, and
Sheriff Bowen supplied them with all
the information that he had, and set
them on the right track. They did
their work well, and came to the
city Thursday afternoon, ready to
strike the first blow.
Last Monday, G. W. Babcock, the
well known stone quarry owner, re-
turned from his European trip and
found that his residence at Kasota
had been entered during his absence,
and goods to the value of 5000 taken.
Among these were his wife's bicycle
and some of her dresses, two suits of
his own clothing, and other goods
The safe had also been broken into,
but there was nothing in it to take.
He reported the case to Sheriff Bowen
at once.
When the detectives arrived in the
city Thursday, search warrant was
procured from the municipal court
enabling them to go through Mrs.
butchers house, at the corner of
Marshall and Pleasant streets. After
supper the three approached the
house from different directions, and
when Sheriff Bowen had entered, he
whistled for the other two, and all
of the inmates were placed under sur
veillence The latter made bold
bluff that they would make it hot for
the officers, and that there was moth
ing there in the way of stolen property
The officers went on with their search,
however, and found a large quantity
of goods of all kinds scattered about
the house, some under beds, some be-
tween bed ticks, some in the pantry,
and elsewhere. Among the goods was
ladies' underwear, bed spreads, towels,
Is blankets, cups and Saucers, plates, and
a clock. Sheriff Bowen went and got
Mrs. Babcock and escorted her to the
house, where she identified many of
the articles as belonging in her house.
The balance still remains unidenti-
fed. Mr.. Bowen gave Mrs. butcher
her choice of going to Jail or telling
who brought the goods there,
and she Z said that Dean Pres
ton was the man. Preston
was present and was Immediately
placed under arrest and locked in jail,
and the recovered articles placed in
a bag and secured.
Preston admitted his guilt and i'm.
plicated Geo. Turrittin. Heitold OF
their robbing Mr.. Babcock's house,
but denied that they had been en-.
gagged in any other burglaries. He al
SO told where the remainder of Mr..
Babcock's property was. The officers
went to Kasota and arrestedTurrittin
at three o'clock this morning. at his
house, and brought him to this city
and placed him in jail.
Mrs. Babcock's bicycle was found in
the possession of Henry Thompson,
a sswitchman at the tower house at
Caroline Station. He had bought
it from Preston for $12. Pres
ton had sold Mr.. Babcock's fine S75 fuI
overcoat to Hi Perry, of this city, fol-
$3.50, and this was also recovered.
In Turritin's house two suits of Mr..