The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-15
Cases In COURT.
Several Phases Of Crime
Presented Today.
Daring Attempt to Hold Up the
WOOdlawn Station Master.


This mornings session Of the District
Court was interesting and presented sew
eral phases of crime. William Ashley was
arraigned on suspicion Of being one of the
parties implicated In the attempted hold
up at the Woodlawn depot last night. The
facts of the case are as follows: James f.
Simpson, the assistant station agent at
Woodlawn station, after finishing his
days work, started around the outside of
the station to put out the lights. He had
extinguished one and was about to turn
off another when he was requested by a
tall man to put up his hands. As 1t hap
pened, Mr.. Simpson had his revolver in
pocket, and at the moment the request
was made had his hand upon 1t. Instead
of complying with the request he pulled
his gun and blazed away. The highway
man took his departure very suddenly,
and was Joined at the corner of the build
ing by another man not as tall.
The station agent reported the matter to
the police, and shortly after Officer Sword
met man on Mineral Spring avenue, who
was bleeding from q wound on the lip.
The officer inquired how he had been hurt,
and was informed that the man had been
hit by train. After ascertaining his ad-
dress the patrolmen reported the matter to
Acting Captain Vananda, who considered
the matter, in view of the incident at the
Woodlawn depot, one worthy of investi-
CATION, and accordingly rode to the mans
home at the corner of Carpenter and CO.
nant streets, and found him there. The
man, who gave his name as William Ash
ley, said that while walking home from
Providence he had been hit by an engine
south of the Woodlawn depot. He offered
to take the police to the place where the
accident occurred, and show them the
marks of block on the track. The Captain
took him at his word, and started to look
for shanty along the track where the
man said the accident had taken place. No
shanty or blood were found, and an en-
ploye of the railroad informed the officers
that there was no shanty between Wood
lawn and Horizons Grove, about two miles
from the Woodlawn depot. When this
information was given Captain Vananda,
he declined to go any further with Ashley,
and took him to the station and locked
him up for the night. The police were OF
the opinion last night that Ashley is
man with record.
Ashley, whose name Is believed to be
Ashworth, was held to await the arrival
of officers from Providence, who wish to
take look at him, and think they want
him. The local police have no case
against him.
Ellis Crook, another suspicious char
mott ala
rest was made by officer Mclaughlin OH
Dexter street near the railroad crossing
yesterday afternoon about 3 o'clock.
Pierce went to the Hub Loan Company
yesterday afternoon and tried to negotiate
a loan on block plane, which was nearly
new. His actions aroused suspicion, and
his arrest followed. When he arrived at
the station he was searched by Detective
Haberlin, and in his pockets were ham,
mer and pawn tickets for various tools
used by carpenters. The tickets showed
that loans had been negotiated by Pierce
at the Hub Loan Company and Dialgos in
this city, Fosters and Carpenters offices
in Providence, and another pawn shop in
Olneyville.
The police say that Pierce has done time
at Cranston for similar work. Pierce Is
AZ years of age, and claims to be a ma
chinist by trade.
Pierce was held to await the arrival of
the .Attleboro police who claim to want
him for theft of some carpenters tools
stolen from an Attleboro contractor. Off
Ger Spinney arrived about 10:3O and took
the prisoner to Attleboro. Pierce was
willing to go, and told Sergeant Gardiner
that, while he was not guilty of the theft
in Attleboro, another man having given
him the tools to pawn, he would plead
guilty.
While Captain Vananda and Officers
Sweet and Nemitz were at the telephone
box on Dexter street last evening about IL
o'clock, making inquiries about the Wood
lawn matter, they witnessed a fight in
front Of Coyne's saloon, and when they
arrived on the scene and separated the
men, the story told by Coyne was as fol-
lows: He was about to close up his place
of business when Charles Vose entered
under the influence of liquor and COM
menced to create disturbance. AS he
triea to put him out Vose caught him and
pulled him out on the sidewalk, and the
fight was the result.
Both men were arraigned, and Vose
pleaded guilty to being drunk, and paid
fine of $2 and costs. Coyne said he wished
to attend funeral and was allowed to 60
on the promise that he would appear In
court tomorrow morning, and answer to
the charge Of revelling.