The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-05-28
Fell Into Hands of Dctec-
tiyeS Last Night.
Leader of Gang Tried to Use
Pistol on Mr.. Parker.
How Another HOld-Up Was Pre-
vented by Timely Aid of Police.


that an important capture of criminals
or men with bad regulations, was effected
last night Five men were arrested i'm tie
waldorf, - the saloon on West Exchange
street where the first hold-up took place
several weeks ago. The men are stran-
gers In tho city and since their arrival
they have been under police surveillance.
= Inc renaezyous OF the suspected Grim
inals at the home of James Sheridan
corner OF Acorn and West Exchange
streets was visited and various kinds
of tools for house breaking, safe
robbing and the other things cracksmen
are adopts IN, were fourd and taken pos
session OF by the police. Among the arti-
cles taken by the police were five revol-
vers, which Were found with lot Of cart
ridges In the oven OF q cooking stove in
the Kitchen.
Drill Fitted the Hole.
large drill was found in the collec-
tlon ana upon investigation 1t was found
that the hole bored in the safe of the
Sullivan Brothers few nights ago, was
made by Just such an implement and to
further convince the police that at least
"a portion OF this gang made the attempt
TO break the safe was the finding of por-
tlons OF papers from Albany, y. Y, and
PlttsDurg, Pa. bearing the same date as
parts OF these same papers did that were
found IN possession of the gang.
That some OF these men have broken
into other places there can be no doubt
Tor IN their possession was found letters
that had been received by w. W.Whipple,
W. "A. Suddard and the Waltham Manu-
featuring Company Perhaps tho most
damaging evidence found in the collection
was number of masks made from old
rags, and the watchman at the |. Ii.
Mason slaughter houses few nights ago
was requested TO call at police headquar-
tors this morning which he did and one or
the masks was placed on each of the
men, and he positively identified one of
them rs being the one that gave his
name as Smith.
This was rather convincing evidence
that the strangers were in town fol illegit-
innate purposes.
The attempted robbery on Wickenden
street made the police of the Third station
alert and Patrolman J.J. Sullivan of that
district, was detailed TO watch the
strangers. He did his work we'll and
through his instruin6ntality the detective
department. was enabled to bag five of the
gang.
The Police Were Nearby.
When the gang met last night at head
quarters near the railroad yards, off West
Exchange street the police were nearby
Three of the five suspects entered the
Waldorf saloon, and they were arrested
portunity TO join them in the same resort
The oldest man Of the five who is
looked upon as the ringleader of the
gang, was armed with heavy revolver,
loaded with rifle ball cartridge, almost
an inch and d half in length. He said he
would not be placed under arrest. AS
soon as he declared himself 20 Detective
Parker, he whipped out his revolver and
endeavored TO get the gun lined on the
officer but he was seized and disarmod.
Two companions were also taken into
custody, but they were without weapons.
soon after the whole gang were landed In
the Central station, the entire party be-
ing captured in the Waldorf saloon.
The leader gave his name as William
Smith of New York and his occupation as
railway brakeman, but Detective Parker
is in possession of a photograph that he is
positive Is that of Smith, and if such is
the case MR. Parker has gotten hold of one
of the most noted criminals in the coun-
try who Is wanted for murder at Wash
ington, ID. c., and for crimes of n smaller
nature in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and other
places.
Was Shot by Mr.. Conley.
Smith hes been shot in the right eve.
and IL Is believed his sight is lost. He
wears very close fitting plaster over the
eye, and this has been distinguishing
mark ever since he struck the city, some
! time ago He stated he came TO Provi-
dence last Friday, but the authorities
know this to be false.
! Mr.. Parker says that Smith is the man
that was shot by Mr.. Conloy at Phenix
some time ago, and Smith does not deny
that he was in Rhode Island about that
| time. IL Mr. Parker has got the right
man, and he Is pretty sure that he has
his name instead of being Smith is Will
| liam Connors, 10 years old, and was
born I'm Pittsburg and has been around
I o .f..xT V..l.x q -.
! Ryan and Bryan. Mr. Parker will send
word to the different cities notifying
| them Of the capture.
The others said they were Harry c.
Miller, Frank Emerson and George
! Bassett. Emerson claims Providence as
| his home, but the otheis say they belong
\ in New York. They gave various occu-
pations, such as walters piolders, etc. /,
but they admitted they had not worked
| at anything recently. All but Smith er,
under % years of age
None of these four cut any figure but
the follow giving his name as Emerson,
and he has been recognized by MIR
Parker as Jack Gilchrist who has been
arrested before, and IL is supposed that
no was connected with the Pope murder
IN New York with Charles Raymond
McElroy who IL now out at the Rhode
Island state prison for burglary, and l.
the chap that was pardoncd from the
~
One Of the men had about $l3 i'm cash.
but the others had only small change.
Smith and Emerson were taken IN
ISeald's and photographed. Smith did
not offer any objections to the ceremony.
but Emerson did.
importance Of the Capture.
The Importance of this work of the po-
lice will become known as the case is in
| vestigated. One thing is assured. the
strangers are undesirable material I'm the
community and even IL no charge can be
brought against them their absence from
I the city WITH he dcsirairir
While the officers were engaged I'm the
work of looking mp those suspects they
were Instrumental in preventing the re-
cording of another hold-up IN this com.
IN unity. The victim had the good sonsc
10 use his voice Justify In cries for assist
nnce and the shouts attracted the atten.
tion Of the police. Detective Parker fired
| at the ficoing ftIQitiyos htit his aim was