New-York tribune., 1900-09-19
PIRATES FIRE ON POLICEMEN.
TRAP SUCCESSFULLY LAID FOR MEN
WHO STEAL COAL FROM BARGES IN
TRANsIT-FOUR ARRESTED

Elizabeth. N j. Sept 1s-The river pirates who
have been working the Kills near this city were
treated to a surprise early this morning when
policemen from two cities swooped down on them
-Four were arrested and taken to New-York one Of
them was wounded while it is reported that two
more were drowned by their boat being run down
by the tug. The New-YOrk police and detectives Of
the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company did all the
water work, while the Elizabeth police stood guard
to prevent any landing the Jersey shore. The
Staten Island shore appears not to have been
guarded. as most Of the gang escaped there. They
did not attempt to land on the Jersey side
The Lehigh Valley Railroad has been the greatest
sufferer from the pirates. The road daily sends
dozen more tows OF coal barges through the
Kills Almost nightly for years the pirates have
been htching alongside of the barges as they pass
up the Kills and loading their smalboas with coal
Many arrests for stealing the coal have been made
here. but the accused persons have escaped on tbs,
plea OF lack of jurisdiction. Barge captains have
not dared to fight, because the pirates reck-
less. There have been many cases Of violence In
the last year or two.
When the coal barge Dick was passing through
the Kills Saturday night six men, pistols in
hand boarded the craft and threatened the captain
and his wife. Captain Charles Rankey drew his
revolver, but was set upon, and he and his wife.
who went to his aid. severely beaten. They
were locked in their cabin. and about two tons Of
coal stolen from the boat The captain re-
ported the to the New-York police. and the
harbor police of that city started the affair which
eliminated this morning.
The police of Elizabeth the New-York Harbor
and the LehIgh Valley Company's detectives acted
together. The Harbor police and the Lehigh Val
ley's boarded the big tug Allentown, while
the Elizabeth police stood guard the Jersey
shore tow Of five barges on an unusually long
tow line sent from South Amboy a decoy
for the pirates. All other tows held back
The Allentown kept considerable distance astern
and came up the Kills at the slow pace
the tow.
All went well until the Baltimore and Ohio
Bridge when half dozen so oyster sklffz and
rowboats shot out from little the Staten
Island shore and made for the The Allen
town up between the little fleet and the Staten
Island shore. Other Isolated boats had put out
but as none went from this side il is believed
town having policemen board.
pirates and then threw her searchIisht on them
moment later volley Of pistol shots aimed
pilot house hit by several bullets but no per-
son on board was struck. The police replied with
rendered. The men We're dragged onto the Allen
p, tpw me 0ter poats 6 sM MuIs 4ooGI: S ana wln
Island Shore although TO do they had to pass
closer TO the Allentown than If they had made
for the Jersey shore. This another indication
that the pirates had hint to the Elizabeth end
ct the plan AS the pirate boats scattered the po-
selected 10 chase. This boat
taken, and the men taken board the Allentown
in his thigh. Il is said that skin was in col
Hson with the tug. and that the two men she con-
The captured men, four In all were turned oyer
four live in the downtown section OF this city
The police of this city Will within day or two
coal in pals or by the bushei. Evidence has been
obtained against number OF these. and they will
be prosecuted for receiving stolen property.
Edward Bedell. twenty-six years old: Patrick
Higgins, twenty-one years old; Henry Collins. TWEEN