The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-17
Salina Officers Capture Ameri-
cas- Greatest Safe Blower.
Five Desperate Characters
Landed In County Jail.
REIGN OFTERRORE ENDS
FFBlackey'' Clark, a Noted Grim
inal Is One of the Gang.
Many Successful Raids Made in
Central Kansas.

Salina, Oct. 1.-THE city and county
officials have made an important cap
ture of five safe blowers. One Of the
number is considered to be the worst
safe-cracler in America. The gang is
now in the county Jail.
This is the gang that has been operat-
ing in Kansas for several months past.
They have blown a number of safes
along the Union Pacific and in other
parts Of the state.
About three weeks ago they cracked
a, safe at Victoria, in Ellis county. Last
week they got another one at Walker,
also in Ellis county. The safe con-
tanned $500. They are also accused of
cracking several safes belonging to
the railroad companies, and railroad
detectives have been on their trail for
several months.
A quantity of dynamite and other
safe-cracking material was found. 1t
mad been buried by the crooks and was
unearthed by the officers. The officers
claim that they know where to go to
get a quantity of other material hidden
by the safe blowers.
The arrest of the crooks was not an
accident. The officers have been try
ing to capture them for some time.
About month ago two of them were
in Salina and remained one day. They
were fairly well dressed and registered
at the National. They gave the night
clerk SIS to keep for them, and acted
in a very suspicious manner. The
clerk says they seemed very nervous
and watched every one closely. The Off
GERS were looking for them at the time
and they were evidently aware of the
fact They were well armed and it
is said that any attempt to take them
would have resulted in a battle. They
acted like men who would refuse to be
taken alive.
One of them is named ''Blackey''
II 4
perate man and considered one of the
worst safe blowers in the United States.
Their business in Salina at that time
was to blow a safe in Carlin's drug
store. It was reported that one of the
Carlin brothers had sold a quantity
of cattle and had a large sum of money
in the safe at the drug store. The
scheme failed to work for the follow
ing reason: A local party got into the
confidence of the safe blowers and was
told their plans. He informed the OFF,
GERS and on the night that the safe was
to be blown the crooks discovered that
they were being watched and fed. They
made their escape from town before
they could be arrested. The safes at
Victoria and Walker were blown short
" afterwards.
The two members of the gang that
were arrested last night were found in
a questionable resort in the north end.
They were drunk at the time and were
given no opportunity to fight. In order
that they might be held they were ar
1aigned in the police court on a charge
of drunkenness. One who gave his
name as VIM Foster, was fined SO and
costs. The other, who gave his name
as Frank West, got a little gay and
was fined SIS and costs.
The one who gave his name as
Frank West is the original "Blackey''
Clark, known as a desperate and safe
cracker. The one who gave the name
of VIM. Foster, is a heavy set, light
commissioned man. He will weigh
about 40 pounds and is about Is years
old Both are tough looking customers,
and were taken down below for further
developments.
A charge will also be placed
against the other three in order to hold
them An attempt is being made to
get them released on habeas corpus
proceedings.