The Afro-American advance., 1900-06-30

chief of police. ! was shown into his
room at once. but he was busy talk
ing over the robbery with Mr.. Pater-
son. and it was some time before he
asked me what | wanted. ! told him
| wanted to see him alone on very inn
portant business and he told me he
could not sec me then. as there had
been big robbery in the city and he
was very busy.
That's just what | wanted to see
you about" said |.
"Do you know anything about lt?"
he asked in surprise.
"Nes. sir. | do and II you will listen
TO me | will tell you where You can
find the things that were stolen, and
also tell YOU how you can catch the
whole gang. | have got 10 all planned
out"
Both the chief and Mr.. Paterson
were interested at once. bat refused
to speak till Mr. Paterson WAS out Of
the way, for | was afraid he would
he so anxious TO get his things that
he would spoil the plan. and after he
left the room and | told my story to
the chief. he said | was right. He
told Mr., Paterson that | had very
important clew. and that he would
follow IL up at once.
My plan was this: No one was to go
near the mill tin after dark when the
chief, with four picked men. would
40 over the bridge in citizens clothes,
each one by himself and comc 20 my
house. Then ! was to take them to
the mill aud we we're 10 hide till the
men came for the goods, Then the
police were to overpower them. OF
course. | did not know whether there
would he two or three men there. but
1 thought the four police would be
enough, even II all three came.
The scheme was carried out and
we all got to the mill without attract
ing any attention. The first thing to
do was TO see II the bags were safe
They were just Us I had left them.
and then the men were placed in pc
sition 20 watch for the robbers. OF
course. the catching OF them was
planned by the chief. but he asked me
what l thought of the plan before he
carried 1t out, and made one or two
suggestions. which he adopted.
About midnight while was watch
ing at the upper window | saw three
men in a boat coming mp the nver. |
Immediately ran TO the cellar and
told the chief He placed his men
at once, aud hid behind the barrels
to see the fun. | had big fash Ian
tern. and was 10 turn II on when
the men started 10 remove the rub.
hish from where they had hidden the
bags, OF course. they did not expect
anything out of the way, aud they all
three came In The two men who
were called Jack and Jim came first.
and the one whom they referred to
as johnson came last. with a lantern.
to clear away the rubbish opened
the lantern and the police jumped
upon the men aud secured them. while
the chief put his pistol into the face
of Johnson with the remark
Throw up your hands old man. IL
you don't want this bullet
He dropped the lantern and put up
ms hshus ih heFfNs eau tru YOU
In less time than il takes me 60 write
il. they were all baudeufted aud taken
out into the boat. just as We were
about 80 row OF with the men. we
saw n light In the cellar aud I. with
two of the police rushed back Just In
time 20 put out fire that had started
from the lantern that Jahnsou had
dropped, aud that We had failed to
notice as We teok the men out.
We made sure there was no more
fire aud then rowed back 10 the city
The men were convicted. Of course.
aud | was given a very handsome re-
ward for my part in the discovery
| Nsns of the boys dared to say any.