Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-29

ROBBED AT THE POINTS OF PISTOLS.
Individuals giving their names as John
Crouin, John Murray and Thomas
Lunev were arrested yesterday
charged with highway robbery, aud at
f4mptine to shoot Lieut.. Smith and Po-
Gceman Atkinson. The attempt was
the boldest ever committed in this city
and caused great excitement. Il. j..
-hreye and F. E. Bell, of Del Ray,
we're approached by the three men
aear the intersection of Queen and
Washington streets about O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon. overpowered and
their pockets riGed at the point of a
pistol. Finding that the young men
had no money, the highwaymen turned
their attention to Joseph Petit, who
was approaching, and threatened TO
kilI him if he did not give up his
money. The affair was witnessed by
several persons, who Immediately COM
municated the fact TO police headquar-
tiers. The call was responded 10 by
Lieut.. Smith and Policeman Atkinson.
Gronin and his pals, as soon as they
saw the officers, attempted to escape.
Murray was overtaken by Lieut.. Smith
,on Washington street, between Queen
and Princess. As the officer approach
ed him Murray drew pistol He had
some difficulty in getting it out of his
pocket and before he could pull the
trigger the lieutenant grabbed the aim
of tue man and dealt him blow in tho
face. which knocked him senSeleSS. He
and others who had been attracted to
tue scene took the man in charge. The
robber made several attempts to
change his pistol to his other hand
4r.,r the lieutenant had seized him.
l1ie,r Atkinson gave chase to Cronln
-lnd sullivan. When near the corpor-
ME limits On Alfred street Cronin, who
was about two squares in advance OF
he officer, drew his pistol, when AT.
linson shot him through the rigb
ankle. He was placed in wagon and
lent to the station house, while Officers
Atkinson and Ferguson continued the
chase for Sullivan, who by this time had
Gained considerable Roadway. Sullivan
ran into a house on Montgomery street,
near the canal basin. He was flourish
Iug his pistol, and threatened to shoot
ne first man who attempted to en'er
the building. Lieutenant Smith reap
pearet at this time, and while Officers
Ferguson. and Lyles guarded the win
lows and doors the Lieutenant and MT.
Atkinson started to search the build
ing They found Sullivan concealed IN
a room on the second floor OF the build
inc under a lot of carpet. lie was taken
ia charge and carried 10 police fsad
quarters. He had concealed his plstol
in a trunk in the room in which he was
arrested. The affair created the great
est excitement in Alexandria, and hun
lreds Of persons were attracted to pc
lice headquarters by the report that
several ulen had been killed. The bal!
from Mr.. Atkinson's pistol passed clear
through Cronin's right ankle. his
wound was dressed at the police station
.ater by DR.. William G.. Ashby
There was another man in the party
who escaped. 1t is said that he wore =
cap and efforts Will be made to have
him arrested in Washington, as he fec
toward that city. The trio we're ar
ragned in the Police Court this morn
ing. Messrs. Robert Gronau, Ernest
Bsver, G.. j. Shreve, Frank Bell, 81
mer ITemp and w. NJ. Angelo were
among The witnesses examined Will
the officers. Messrs. Shreve, Bell an.
Kemp had thrilling experiences witt
The hiehwaynen. The first two live n
Del Ray. They were told by Murra.
% hold up their hands while ne held
pistol at their breasts. Su.hvsn ant
Gronin then searched their po"S,elis
Murray also held up Mr.. Petit Will,
the other two riiled his pockets. z
colored man named Johnson, who WI
appear this evening, was also held NJ
and small amount of money wa
taken from him. One of the robber
drew his pistol on Mr.. Kemp when hi
entered into pursuit with the officers
The accused were sent on TO the Cor
poration Court. The names are evi
d2ntly fictitious. Linpey is believed L
he %ullivan's name. He is from Eng
land. Croniu some claim his name
Mahoney( says he is native OF Rich
mond, but has worked most of his 1T
as a printer in Washington. Murra
says he is from Richmond, but he state
yesterday that he came from Pittsburg
TRIAL OF NELSoN.-John G. Nelson