The times., 1901-05-29
MORE ROBBERIES REPORTED.
Police Connect Virginia Jobs With
Recent I.ocaI Losses

Recent Local Losses.
News of a daring robbery was brought
to this city at an early hour yesterday
morning by John A Crowley, signal
man in the employ of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad Company. he having
walked to the First precinct station in
this city in order that it might be re-
ported at once
Crowley has charge of a small signal
tower of the company near st. Elmo,
Va. Owing to the hard rain which fell
last night he thought it advisable about
midnight to take look at a trestle which
was being repaired by workmen. Lock-
ing the door of his lonely quarters, he
went away, but returned within half an
hour.
Upon returning ne was surprised to find
the dim light of his railroad lantern,
which he had left unlit before his depar-
tGre, shining through one of the win
dows Fastening to the house he found
that the door had been smashed in, evil
IDENTIFY with heavy piece of iron. Ev-
erything inside of the hut was in con-
fusion. Papers strewn about the floor
Upon opening a clothes chest he dis
covered that he was minus a suit of
clothes and a lady's gold watch, which
he had left in his vest pocket.
Upon going out to see If he could ascer-
tain who his mysterious visitor might
have been, Crowley met a track walker
who informed him that he had just seen
man going down the railroad in the
direction of the st. Asaph race track.
Thinking that he would be able to recog-
nize the thief from the description given
him by the track walker, Crowley set
out in full pursuit. He reached the race
track just in time 30 see "A man, tally
ing with the description given, enter one
of the gambling houses.
Crowley followed him in and scizing
him by the collar demanded his clothes
and watch. AS he did so he noticed the
chain of his watch hanging from the
strangers pocket and promptly seized it.
All was confusion, for a moment, the
room being fun of men. who were startled
by the sudden appearance of the two
strangers.
After securing his watch, Crowley de-
manded of the man that he give up the
other stolen articles, but this the stran-
ger refused to do. Just as the signalman
was about to drag him out of the door.
several OF the players seated at IL table
arose, and drawing revOlyers, demanded
that the railroad man take his hands on
the thief and release him.
Seeing that the odds were against him
Crowley at once released the thief and
going outside, loitered around in hopes
of catching him outside. The stranger
appeared in a few minutes and disap-
peared down the tracks. the railroad man
following closely behind him. When
Jackson City was reached the stranger
hailed an automobile which was passing,
ana, jumping in, dlsaI peared across the
Long Bridge.
Crowley h9stened at once to the First
precinct police station in this city. where
he reported the matter to Sergeant Schill-
ing, who at once notified the various
nOllHaInGn al ha r.n
a lookouS for the stranger, who, Crowley
said. carried small yellow valse
The sergeant, together with Bicycle
Policeman Simpson and Policemen Cats
and Emmett, finally managed to locate
the party in the automobile in the person
OF a resident of this city, who promptly
told them all he knew about the stranger.
He stated that he had seen the man at
st. Asaph and that later when he met
him in Jackson City he thought that a
gang was after the man and invited him
to ride into the city. The stranger. ne
said. rode as far as the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing, where he jumped
out and disappeared through the Agri-
cultural Grounds. Despite the fact that
a close lookout was kept the man was
not apprehended by the pclice.
Following closely upon tie report made
by Crowley was a communication received
early yesterday morning by Captain-In-
spector Boardman, Chief of the local
Detective Bureau from the Jackson
Phillips Brick Company, at Waterloo.
stating that some unknown person had
entered their place at an early hour in
the morning and had stolen $50 from
safe Owing to the fact that the stranger
was seen coming from the direction Of
Waterloo before the signal tower robbery
occurred, suspicion naturally rested upon
him. Captain Boardman at once detailed
Detective Sergeant Trumbo on the case.
and wired the Baltimore and Philadelphia
authorities description of the man.
1t is thought by many of the detectives
at headquarters that the man was only
one of d gang which has operated sue
cessfully here Indeed" said one Of
them in conversation last night. ''it would
not surprise if several big Jobs should
be reported shortly In my opinion the
mysterious stranger, who is described as
having been well dressed and wei
equipped financially. is only one Of a we'll
organized gang which has worked with
great success here. If We were only able
to lay our hands on the stranger ] think
perhaps we might clear up a little some
thing regarding the Bigelow robbery"