Evening star., 1899-03-11
IMPORTANT CAPTURE
Two Men Arrested Charged With
Highway Robbery.
GRIMES COMMITTED HERE RECENTLY
Property in Possession of Accused
Evidence of Guilt.
GRAND JURY TO TAKE ACTION

Scores of people called at the detective
bureau this morning to see the two alleged
highwaymen who are charged with holding
up and robbing Messrs. T. P. Hickman
and Frank W. Jones Thursday night last,
as told in The Star of yesterday. The pris-
oners gave their names as Harry c. Cav
ler aged twenty-four years, and James
Reilly. twenty-six years.
Inspector Boardman Is confident that the
accused men committed the crimes charged.
Gawler was positively identified by Mr..
Hickman as one of his assalants, and the
latter's watch was found in Reilly's posses
sion. Gawler was wearing Jones' overcoat.
The arrests were made by Sergeant Harry
and Officer Sweet In the Benning yard of
the Pennsylvania railroad, which is great
| resort for tramps, and favorite place for
members of that class who wish to get
north by way of the freight trains.
The attention of the officers was attract
ed to Gawler and Reilly about IL o'clock by
the suspicious manner in which they were
lodging in and out among the freight cars.
They were evidently trying to avoid being
seen by police officers and railroad men.
The policemen became impressed with the
oener that the men were those who had
assaulted and robbed Messrs. Hickman and
Jones' and when the suspects attempted to
board an open freight car in the forward
part of train which had just started both
were taken into custody.
Attempts to Dispose of Watch.
The prisoners made some resistance but
they were soon subdued and conveyed to
Carrolrs Hotel in Benning, from which a
message was sent to the ninth precinct sta
ton for the patrol wagon. While waiting
for the wagon to arrive Reilly asked to be
allowed to go into the lavatory and Ser
Seant Harry accompanied him there. As
soon as what he supposed to be a favora-
Bile opportunity presented Reilly attempted
to throw a watch down the sewer pipe The
act was witnessed by Sergeant Harry, who,
ny a Qu1ck movement, recovered the time
piece. An examination of the latter show
ed 1t was the property of Mr.. Hickman, as
described by him. Gawler and Reilly were
taxen ,aHt, to the 9Th precinct station, where
they were locked up in separate cells
Upon being searched previous to being
locked up the Overcoat taken from Mr..
Jones was found on Gawler. and he was de-
prlVed or the garment. In reply to the usual
questions Gawler said he is a machinist
Reilly gave his occupation as a printer.
and both claimed to be from Philadelphia.
This morning, as above stated the pris-
cners were brought to police headquarters
where they were measured by the Bertilon
system and the result recorded by Detect
I've German. Subsequently they were hand
cuHed together and taken to photograph
the rogues gallery. The men declined to
make any statement relative to the affair
charged or to explain how one had Mr.
Heckman,s watch and the other Mr.. Jones
coat.
Alleged Professionals.
The prisoners are men of medium height
and build. Reilly being the taller of the
two, and they are believed to be profess
sional tramps. Some surprise was express
8 of
ical strength could commit the crimes al
legged; but their victims were no larger and
Jones is mere boy in appearance and
years.
1t is understood that efforts will be made
TO have the cases acted upon by the grand
jury at the earliest possible moment, as it
is felt by the authorities that a speedy
trial and conviction, if guilty, will deter
others similarly inclined from the comrnis-
sion of such crimes. The penalty upon
conviction is a term of from five to eight
years in the peattentiary.-'- .'-'
AS soon as Chief Clerk Kemp of the po-
lice department was convinced that the
right parties were under arrest, he tele-
graphed the news to Maj Sylvester su-
perintendent of police, who is spending a
few days at Atlantic City, and the major
replied, congratulating Sergt. Harry and
Officer Sweet on their success. The two
policemen We're also warmly congratulated
by Acting Chief Austin, Inspector Board
man, Chief Clerk Kemp and others.
Another OGense Charged.
Mr.. J. H. Mcdowell of No 1O16 Vermont
avenue called at police headquarters this
morning and identified Gawler and Reilly
as two men who stopped him near. his
home Thursday evening and attempted to
rob him. Mr.. Mcdowell was carrying
closed umbrella at the time. and with this
he be1abored them so vigorously that they
took to their heels. Mr.. Mcdowell had in
his possession quite a sum of money, and
he did not propose, he said, to surrender 1t
without struggle.
Plea of Not Guilty.
The prisoners pleaded not guilty when
arraigned in Judge Scott's court. Both men
We're identified. Mr.. ]. II. Mcdowell, men,
toned having been held up" near 18th
street and Massachusetts avenue, but not
robbed, related his experience and identi-
fled one of the defendants.
You -- ---, I'll fix you. Take that" ="
was what one of his assailants said to him
while he at the same time pointed some
thing at him, but what it was witness could
not say
Sergeant Harry exhibited the property
and told of the arrests.
Prosecuting Attorney Muliowny said he
thought the prisoners should be required to
give at least $3.50 security for their ap-
pearance.
Judge Scott fixed the bond at $4,000 and
the prisoners We're committed for the action
of the grand jury.
i5c. Round Trip to Arlington Sunday.
Electric trains every II min. 1872 & Pa. ave.
"A