The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-02-16
The Thieves Discovered.

The police and constables of Mount
Holly did some work on Wednesday
night which is greatly appreciated by
every citizen, the effects of which will be
very beneficial.
For long time the people of this town
have been greatly annoyed at burglaries
and robberies which have occurred with.
in quick succession of each other, the
perpetrators eluding escape in every in
stance.
On Monday of last week the shop of the
Mount Holly Shoe Company was entered
and some shoes, leather and tools were
stolen. The police were notified and be-
gan search for the culprits.
The officers had been watching a crowd
of young men, who, without any visible
means of support, always appeared to
have money to be used in travelling
around and drinking. An eye was kept
on this gang, and it was finally decided to
search house known as the Grows
Nest" on the Hainesport road, that these
fellows occupied as club house.
So chief of police Atkins, policemen
Branson and Severns and Constable Clay
pool, on Wednesday night, went to the
place. They found it locked, but Severns
forced window and crawled in and ad-
mitted the others. About the only thing
discovered was some leather which was
easily recognized as some taken from the
shoe factory.
On the floor of the room up stairs was
some canvas used as carpeting. In walk
| ing over this one of the officers thought
he noticed loose board beneath. The
covering was hastily removed, the board
taken up, and between the ceiling and
| floor was box of shoes and kit of tools.
These also had been stolen from the shoe
factory.
Two pieces of wire found in the loafing
| room were recognized as the property of
the Campbell Machine Company. They
were stolen from the tool bag of the COM
pany's agent, F. II. Warren.
This was enough. Justice Slack was
notified and although it was after mid
night he arose and issued warrants for
those known to frequent the building
They were William Clevenger, Bert Don
nelly and Harvey Thomas. They were
all home IN bed. and were soon on their
way to the squire's Office. They had
nothing to say and were sent to Jail.
Clifford Shinn and Charles Borden were
thought to be implicated in the robberies,
but they proved to the contrary. Their
knowledge of the affairs was such, how
ever, as to cause their being held as wit
nesses.
Donnelly made statement to one of
the officers in which he said that he and
Shinn were standing on a street corner on
the night that the shoe factory was enter
ed. Clevenger and Thomas came along
with some goods. and went back for more.
Donnelly accompanied them.
The arrest was made just about the
right time as the young thieves had gain
ed an idea that the officers were cognizant
of their actions. Donnelly tried to board
a freight train near the fair grounds on
Wednesday afternoon, and Thomas is re-
ported to have prepared to leave town
Thursday morning.
The house occupied is an old building
in the hollow" out West Washington
street. 1t had stoves and chairs in it,
with lace curtains at the window. In the |
second story was string that controlled |
the latch of the door below, and which |
was operated by one of the gang upstairs
whenever the party seeking admission |
gave the proper signal.
In the house was found jimmy with |
which doors were pried open, some dies |
taken from Alcotts foundry, shears stolen |
from the carpet factory, and the articles
taken from the shoe factory. Other things
known to have been stolen have doubt
less been sold. Thomas is said to have
had monthly ticket between here and |
Philadelphia. He probably was the sell |
ing agent and explained his frequent visits
to the city by saying that he had work in |
Camden.
On Saturday further search was made |
at the headquarters of the burglars In
the yard several empty vegetable cans
were found. They were taken to Justice
Clevenger's Office where they were posi-
lively identified by William w. Atkinson,
the grocer, as his property, stolen from
his store in December. Mr.. Atkinson also |
recognized as his property frying pan |
which was in the house and had evident |
ly been used in preparing banquets
The officers who so successfully man
aged the unraveling of the doings of this |
gang are entitled to great credit, and our
citizens generally entertain feeling of re- |
lief and security which they have not had |
for some time.
1t is probable that there are others con-
nected with these robberies who have
not yet been apprehended and it is hoped |
all will be caught. Those IN Jail have Sc
cured counsel and will, of course, make a
contest for their liberty. but Prosecutor
Budd will undoubtedly give the case his |
closest attention and see that the gang if |
as guilty as they now appear to be, receive |
their just deserts.
Only one of the gang is over q years of
age. The boys have always been classed
as idlers, but nobody ever suspected
them of being at all vicious or criminal. |
Much sympathy is felt for their parents.