Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1898-12-01
RoBBER CAPTURED.
The Stolen Property Found win surely
Send Him to State Prison-A
Slick Fellow.


that the Bridgeton robber had been cap
tured in vineland was hailed with de-
light. The news did not reach this city
until noon, and the full particulars could
not be given.
Wednesdays vineland Journal gave
very accurate and interesting account of
the capture of the fellow. It reads:
| This morning about two o. clock Mer-
cnant Tucker, of Rosenhayn, heard some
| unusual noise in his store. He arose and
shouted firei and man ran away toward
he railroad. The aroused neighbors
made an investigation and found that
both Mr.. fuckers store and the store and
post office conducted by Mr.. Barnhart
mad been entered and searched for money
and cash and pennies taken from each
place. Mr.. M. E. Barnhart and Mr.. J. G.
Shull, the clerk and assistant postmaster,
secured lanterns and started out for clues.
A heavy rain had fallen previously and
the track of the man who ran away from
the store was quite plain owing to the
TACT that he had an iron on one shoe.
These determined young men followed
the track over into Vineland and finally
located the man in deserted honse on
the corner of Almond and Mill roads
opposite the button factory. They sur
rounded the house and with pistols
drawn demanded the surrender of the
occupant. He came out as ordered
and proved to be colored man. He said
his name swa Warren Hamilton. from
Springtown. Barnhart held the prisoner
while Shull came to town and Notified
Constable Nickerson, who went ont and
brought the man in. Justice Lord was
Informed and in accordance with the
facts held the man for Court and he was
locked up. A search of his clothing re-
vealed nothing to incriminate him. He
said he came from Bridgeton last night
and was on his way to New York. intend
ing to take train.
"SiDce the above was put in type Nick
erson has been doing a littls detective
work. He visited the old house on Al
mond road and made some startling dis
coveries. In one shanty he found the
pennies stolen at Rosenhayn last night
and in another evidence to connect this
willy thief with the Cantner robbery in
this town which happened on October
23, and also the robbing of the house on
Main road the same date. Also two gold
watches taken in Bridgeton night before
last. He found tickets for several rings
pawned in New York October 81, stone
ring and gold filled Elgin watch pawned
on November 1st, in Boston. The indis-
putable evidence that connects the man
with the Cantner robbery is lot of post
age stamps which were wrapped in tissue
paper and taken with the pocket book
The stamps were numbered by the lady
who owned them and hence there can
be no doubt. Constable Nickerson is tc
be commended for his prompt action in
Immediately going out after the man
without waiting for a warrant. He gol
the warrant afterward. The prisoner
does not look like such desperate man
He is probably from twenty to twenty
five years of age and is crippled with
disease SO that he was more easily held al
bay until Nickerson arrived."
One gentleman who is not surprised
that the fellow is the same who did job
both in Vineland and Bridgeton, is Sur
rogate Bray. He said to PIONEER re
porter Tuesday afternoon that there haG
been half dozen house breakings in
/ Vineland, and then all was quiet. TIL,
manner ofthe robberies in both VipsianC
and Bridgeton were identical, ard tn,
Surrogate expressed the opinion that i
, the robber was ever captured. it woulG
! be found that he was stranger, wht
travelled from town to town doing JUS
such work. The Surrogate would be
capable head of police department.
When the news of the arrest in Vine
land was telephoned to Mayor Appel
gate, the police department here wa
working upon very promising clue. Ii
fact an inquisition was in progress in tn,
City Hall, and the results would have pu
the officers on the right lay. Fortunately
they were not obliged to run down th,
clues which they had picked up after in
dustrious effort
Hamilton was brought to Jail yesterday
from Vineland, and is now occupying 8
dark cell on the third floor.
Thursday night he was interviewed by
Prosecutor Logue, but told many con
flicting stories, none of which is believed
He denied having anything to do with
the robberies personally, and declared
that the booty found by the officers cam,
!, from man whom he ran across the othel
day.
This story does not tally with the story
he told in Vineland, as indicated by tn,
following dispatch:
"VINELAND, N. j., Nov. 24.-The negro
burglar, Ward Hamilton, who wa.
brought to bay in howell near rVineland by
armed pursuers early yesterday morning
, after he had robbed the Rosenhayn pos
Office, was to-day arraigned before Justice
Lord here and held for Court on the sec
ond charge of robbery, the complaint be-
ing made by Valentine Cantner, prom
+ inent resident, whose family were ter
q To RIA.