The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-15
THE ARREST OF
BIG BILL MASON.
Captured by a Detective Whose Nerve
Was Greater Than His Stature.
A BAD MAN WHEN C0RNERED.
But the Little Detective Hung 10 Him
Until Assistance Camc--Thc Ner-
West Piece Of Work Ever Seen
In New York City.
A BAD MAN WHEN C0RNERE0.

after this criminal. But public safety de
manded that this man be put behind bars
at once, and although FOgarty knew II
was a Toss up whether he came out OF
the affair alive or dead he did not hest
tate l repeat that 1 have no recollec-
ton of a nervier performance by an OIL
Ger OF this department"
This is the comment made yesterday by
Captain George McClusky of the Detec-
tive Bureau on the arrest Of Big Bill
Mason on Monday night by Detective
Fogarty. assisted by Detective Trip. To
thoroughly appreciate Fogarty deed one
must know this Big Bill Mason as the
police know him. He IS a man whose
career is dotted with deeds that stamp
him as one OF the most dangerous Grim
insls alive. He was never a great Grim
inal and possessed none OF the genius OF
men like Mark Shinburn, Jimmy Hope
and other cracksmen who made crime
scientific study. But he is A man 'who
has had wonderful success as thief on
account of his indifferences to human
life.
A BAD MAN.
He ranks with the criminals who shoot
70 kill when anybody stands between
them and liberty but he is In a class by
himself. II you ask the police how many
men he has killed they will throw mp
their hands. They don't know. But II
YOU ask them what they think about II.
they will tell you about a dozen. And
every one OF these murders attributed 10
Mason was committed while tho murder
er was engaged In some crime.
Mason IS the kind OF a thief who en-
cages I'm big enterprises trusting 10 luck
and his ever-resdy pistol 10 bring him
through. For years he has not been
without n loaded pistol in his pocket.
and although he has a weakness for fine
he was never known 20 wear gloves. No
Western bad man was ever quicker with
his gun than Mason, and no man ever
lived who was more willing 20 use II
when occasion required. Neither the gal
lows nor the electric chair has ever had
any terrors for him. As he said TO Cap
tain McClusky yesterday. when that OFF,
Ger charged him with trying to murder
two OF his best men:
ITS war always with me. I will try
TO kill any man who molests me-be he
policeman or private citizen. Ny own end
will come when my time is up. and not
before"
To kill when ut bay Is a threat that
Mason has made on several occasion. and
it has not been the blatant braggadocio
OF a petty thief. but calm statement
from a man who meant every word that
he uttered. And behind this murderous
'u1idtltE - n puF1tlAr iAiL sNiig iiitA
might we'll hesitate 10 tackle. great.
broad-shouldered man. six feet three
inches tall Is Mason, with chest that
looks able 10 withstand the blows OF a
sledge hammer.
BADLY WANTED.
A dangerous man Ike Mason Is made
more dangerous when cOrnered, and Ma
son was in a hole when tackled by the
detectives on Monday. He is wanted in
a dozen different places for a score of
crimes. and known personally 20 every
detective in the country Of ten years ex-
perience. Masons days of liberty, IL
caught, were numbered and he knew It.
II Il required a life or two TO prolong them,
why he was perfectly willing 10 sacrifice
them.
When Mason appeared in New York
Captain McClusky resolved 10 get him az
all hazards. lie didn't 90 among his Old
and tried men for man for the JoD; NJ
didn't even select detective sergeant.
He sent down stairs for Fogarty, a plain
detective officer OF two years expert
ence.
"Fogarty." he said. I'm going to give
YOU the toughest and most dangerous as
signment that / have given since took
chare Of this office. BIZ Mason Is IN
New York and we want him We haven't
seen him. but certain or his pals have
been seen here, and you must get at
him through them. He may get out OF
the city any moment. You must get
him You know enough OF Mason To
know that you take your life in your
hands when you undertake 20 arrest him.
| caution YOU TO use the greatest care.
for he will kill you II he can. We want
him alive, but will take him dead II
there's no other way OF getting him
LITTLE BUT NERVY.
Now Detective Fogarty is just feet
inches tall, but he Is one mass Of muscles
| and pluck and wasn't In the least IN
undated by the tales he had heard or
Mason's gigantic stature and desperate
| character. He didn't even know tina
there was a reward OF $500 FOR Mason's
capture and Captain McClusky hadnt
thought Il necessary 10 tell him.
How Fogarty got on Masons track was
! told I'm The sun yesterday. in the course.
of his search for him he dug up a
| scheme 70 commit big robbery IN when
Mason and three others were involved.
and he saw a chance 20 bag rare lot
| OF iailbirds. Captain McClusky assigned
Detective Trip. another little five-foofer
10 help him. but warned Fogarty 10 set
Mason II he had 10 let all the others
go.
The detectives came mp with the 'our
worthless on Monday night near the west
| Shore ferry, at the Ioot OF Nfoi L"t's
second street Fogarty was afraid that
9, a scramble with the four Mason
| might get away, so two other detectives
who were found near the ferry were
called into service 10 hold off Two OF tne
crooks Trip was 10 tackle hed
Spencer and Fogar,y was to go for Ma
| son.
strldlng I'D 10 the big fellow, Fogarty
made A long reach and touching him on
the shoulder said:
| Mason. / want von-
Big Bin turned around and gave one
| look al the little detective. He seerned
| undecided whether 20 chew him ur or
| throw him into the river Fogarty grip
ned the crooks arm and Mason WINGED
with pain. Then ne realized that ne was
| nm AGAINST n man OF muscle II not IN
| inches. Quick as a fash he threw MS
arm around behind him and hauled out
| a hig 4Ssalibre revolver. Fogarty threw
| botb 81 his arms around the big fellow
| and then began a mighty struggle.
! Mason cursed with rage and fought fh-.
| riouslv 10 free his pistol arm. crowd
| gathered. but no one offered 10 held.
| Eogortv realized that II was life ard
| deatb struggle for him, for he knew that
| Mason would sheet 10 kill IL he cot ne
| chance. So he chung on to his big af-
| versary for dear life. waiting Tor an
| openinR TO get possession or the pistol
| Mason managed 10 free MS ieit arm
, after a few seconds ana. clenchins ms
| fist he rained blow after dow on the
| detectiye's head. Fogarty realized tnat
| he couldn't stand this very long so no
| suddenly let go OF Mason's right arm ana,
| grabbing the pistol with one hand. sent
/ 49,.