The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-10-10

to be.
when did the most vicious gangs
exist here? Why during the years
just after the close of the war. At
that time there were a great many
crooks in this city.
ga gang which for a long time
kept their identity unknown, while
they robbed most boldly and widely,
was that of SOL Holloran. For
long time the city was startled every
day or two by the news of safe
robbery, the best known probably
being that of the safe of Lutz' har-
ness store on Pennsylvania avenue.
In this instance safe and all, weigh
ing over 200 pounds, were bodily car
ried away. These robberies baffled
the police for long time.
zone night a sergeant was passing
a dry goods store, and noticed the
door standing ajar. His first impulse
was to step toward it, but a glance
showed him that he was covered by
a revolver. He did not turn his head,
but passed along. Collecting Sergt.
Vernon and Officers Adams and Wal.
lingford, he returned and captured
two men, the third escaping. One
proved to be Sol Holloran. Detectives
Clarvoe and McDevitt and Lieut.. Cess
ford searched Holloran's house, and
there found trace of some articles
belonging to one of the safes that had
been robbed. This gave them a clew.
The case was followed up and the re.
mainder of the gang was located in
the outskirts of Georgetown. Most
of them were caught. Mr.. Lutz' safe
was found and recovered from the
bottom of the canal, where it had
been thrown.
Charles Teagles, wealthy darby,
was one of the most daring burglars
that ever worked Washington. He
had no one to help him, but always
worked single-handed. Every night
he would rob three or four places.
Detectives CIarvoe and Miller finally
caught him, and as they arrested the
man he swallowed a diamond ring
which might have been used as evil
dence against him. His home was To-
Gated, and, when searched, a barrel
full of stolen articles, mostly jewelry,
was found.
BILLY Williams, who shot Officer
Arnold, was also the leader of
vicious gang. He is now in the Rich
mond penitentiary, and two thirds of
his life he has spent in prison. He is
a man that cannot help stealing, and
he will surely get into trouble again.
''The last organized gang of MUIR
derers was headed by very black
negro named Babe Bedford. They
committed a number of depredations
in the northwest section of the city,
covering a period of five or six
months. Finally Philip Hirth,
young groceryman for whom Babe
Bedford worked as a driver, closed
up his store one evening, taking
considerable sum of money with him,
and going across some vacant lots,
directly to his home. On the way
he was waylaid by gang of four
negroes, one of whom struck him
with a club. AS he fell he recog-
nized Bedford, and begged him not
to strike again. This recognition was
the cause of his death. Bedford
killed him, and the gang took AL OF
his money and his watch. A negro
detective captured one of the Grim.
inals, from whom he extorted a con-
fession. Bedford was hanged, aud
the others impris for life"
The new chief of police of Chicago,
upon assuming his office, informed
his subordinates that he knew that
they knew all the criminals, and he
commanded that they be banished
from that city. In pursuing this
course, the chief of police of the big
city was following the course mapped
out by the chief of police in the ma.
,tional capital, when he was appoint.
ed three years ago. He told Mayor
Harrison, when that public function.
airy was in Washington, that Grim.
mails could nos infest any city, if the
police force was absolutely required
to do its duty.
Professional criminals are known
in every city, and they cannot pros.
per without police connivance.
| SMITH D. FRy.