Evening star., 1901-07-11
TRAlNMEN UNDER ARREST
CONDUCTOR AND OTHERS CHARGED
WITH ROBRING CARS.
Goods Alleged to Have Been Taken
Recovered by the
Detectives.

Conductor Eugene Hancock, Brakemen
Charles J. Knott and Charles W. Drury and
Flagman Lewis W. Wall, members of a
freight crew on the Philadelphia, Whining
ton and Baltimore railroad are under ar
rest in this city. charged with having rob-
bed the cars of the company. Detective
Hewlett. Pratt and Flather made the
rests and have recovered a wagon load of
alleged stolen property. The list Of goods
recovered includes many bottles OF whisky
OF a well-known brand. a number Of Pull
man car blankets and pillows. bolts Of dry
goods. cans OF coffee, and new shoes. A
further investigation Is being made and 1t
is likely that the prisoners win be called
upon to answer charges in the Police Court
tomorrow. The case is one in which many
merchants, as well the railroad officials.
are Interested. Parts of cases OF whisky
were missed from cars from time to time,
complained of thefts. The seals on freight
cars were found broken after they reached
the freight yards here. and the impression
was given that they had been tampered
with after having reached their destination.
Train Closely Watched.
When the railroad officials had failed to
apprehend the people who had been commit
ting the robberies the members Of Capt.
Boardman's force were asked to make an
investigation.
Conductor Hancock's train was closely
watched for the reason that a great amount
of property had been taken from cars that
had been intrusted to his care and super
vision. Yesterday the detectives felt salts
fled that they could find some evidence I'm
the case. and they visited the house of
Brakeman Knott in Southeast Washington,
from where they recovered bottles Of
whisky, bolts of dry goods. bedspreads and
other articles. Being satisfied that MEM
berS of the crew were implicated in the
thefts, the officers then went in search of
the trainmen. The train was nearly two
hours late, and when 1t reached Bennng
about O'clock. Hancock and Knott we're
arrested. Knott admitted his guilt when
he learned that his house had been visited
and the goods recovered. but Hancock de-
clared he was innocent. He further de-
clared that none Of the alleged stolen goods
were to be found at his house The officets
visited his house. where a partial search
revealed a number of Pullman car blankets
and pillows. as well as many cans of coffee
and a few bottles Of whisky. Later In the
night Wall was arrested at his home in
Southeast Washington, while Drury was
not locked up until this morning 1t is
alleged that the robberieS were committed
while the trains were on SidingS either In
Maryland this side of Baltimore. or In the
neighborhood of the Deanwood siding.
The property in some instances. the detec-
tives allege. was put in the caboose and re-
city.
Opinion of Detectives.
The detectives today renewed their
search. going first to the house of Han
cock, No 49, 4th street southeast. where
they found a box of new shoes. of all sizes
and descriptions, spreads, corsets and un-
derwear. At the house Of Wall they found
pillows, spreads and sheets. Nothing was
found at the house Of Drury. nor was there
any additional property found at the house
of Knott. Drury declares he knew nothing
of the alleged stealing.
He came here from the neighborhood OF
Coxs Station. Charles county. Nd, some
railroad. Wall formerly lived in Balti-
more. This afternoon the detectives said
they were satisfied that the stealing had
been going on for at least three years.
There is no way of telling or even getting
an idea of the amount of property thac
has been taken. Some interesting develop
ments are expected to result from the In
vestigation.
Bail Fixed at 81 900.
This afternoon Mr.. Campbell Darlington.
counsel for Hancock, asked that bail for
his client be fixed, and this was done by
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Given. the
sum named being $1,000 The bond was
afterward given and Hancock was re-
leased.