The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-15
TWO SAFE ROBBERS.
Robbed Virginia Postoftice Sentenced
to Five Years Imprisonment Each.

to Five Years Imprisonment Each.
Abingdon, Va, May 14.-(Special.)- -
In the United States District court at
Abingdon, Va, James w. Moore. alias
James Filkins, alias james l.. Flynn,
alias James Clark alias Thomas Trestle
and William Howard, alias William
Houlihan, alias Bid Houlahan, have been
ON trial for two days, for robbery of the
postoffce at Salem, Va, on the night of
March %. 1898. The case was given to
the jury ut 8 p. m, last night and iii
ten minutes verdict of guilty was re-
turned, whereupon the judge imposed a
sentence of five years each, ut hard labor
in the penitentiary, at Raleigh. n. c..
The robbery was effected by forcing
an entrance into the office during the
night time and an effort was made to
open the safe, hole being drilled into
the safe door, but in attempting to force
in tap-pin, it was broken off in the
drilled hole, after which the burglars
were evidently frightened off without
having opened the safe, merely securing
a few dollars in stamps and small
change.
Howard and Moore, were seen in Roa
noke, Va. about 6:30 a. m, on the
morning after the robbery, by Officer 4.
III. Griffin, who arrested Howard. but
could not find Moore who had suddenly
disappeared. Diligent search was made
for Moore, and he was discovered late
that afternoon while cndeavoring to
make his escape) by Officer j. Il. Eanes
and Robert Hopcroft. who pursued him
along the Shenandoah Valley railroad, for
ibout mile, effecting his capture.
Investigation by Postoffice Inspector
Maxwell and Gregory. developed a
strong circumstancial case against the
two burglars, which eliminated in their
conviction.
Baldwin's Detective Agency, Roanoke,
Va. by means of photographs, etc. OBJ
tanned the records Of these burglars,
who proved to be two noted expert bank
robbers and safe blowers. who have oper-
ated all over the United States and have
recently been on a Southern tour.
William Howard, whose proper name
is William Houlihan is above forty ears
of age, is a resident of Chicago. ILL.,. and
has recently been residing at St Paul.
Mimi. lie has recently been released
from Joliet, ILL.,, where he served a sen.
tence of eight years for safe burglary,
committed at Bardin, Ill., Previous to
that he served two years in the Indiana
pententiary for robbery of jewclry
store at La Porte. Ind; previous to thai
he served Il term at Joliet, H., under an
alias
James w. Moore, whose right name is
james Filkins is about fifty years of age,
born in Chicago, Ill.,, but has not lived
| there for fifteen years. has resided al
st. Paul, Mimi, and Detroit, Mich, and
4
ago, he with four others, broke Jail al
Mercer, Pa, where they were held foI
an attempted bank burglary. He went
| West with two other burglars; they com.
mitted Il robbery in Nebraska. were pur-
sued by posse and in trying to escape
across river in II boat, Fikins was shot
| i'm the left eye (which is now blind and
one Of his companions killed; he was
given ten years in Nebraska penitentiary
| for this On leaving prison, he moved t,
| ST. Paul and for number Of years was
omployed in the gambling houses. Wher
| the gambling shut down and the gam
bIers had to leave town, Filkins witt
two other burglars robbed small banl
| in Wisconsin by blowing open the safe.
1t is claimed that while attempting t.
rob bank near Kansas City, Mo, h'
was shot and laid out in the wood foi
two days, was then carried to a plac,
of safety by his pals and doct0red up.
| Filkins has been almost positively iden
tilted by two gentlemen from Woodstock
Va. as having been in Woodstock OF
March 81, 1898 the robbery of the post
office occurring that night. After his con
ylction, Filkins endeavored to explain t.
Inspector Gregory why he could no
have been in Woodstock Oh March Dist
'and his explanation was virtual admis