The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-06-28
THREE hlGhMAYMEN
TO ANSWER AT COURT

James purcell ana James Connors,
Arraigned Before Alderman Jones.
Purcell Out on Bail; the Other Two
Go to Jail-The Story of the Mid
night Hold-up Not So Brigand-like
as Appeared at First Blush.
The midnight hold-up on Fallbrook
street, on Thursday night. developed
yesterday to be in detail as told eX-
clusively in The Tribune OF yesterday.
The happening, however, was stripped
somewhat of it's gravity, when the facts
and circumstances were sifted at yes
terday's hearing of the trial before AL
derman Jones.
As Stated in The Tribune, the particl-
pants were Edward, alias Skinner
Devine. James Purcell and James Con-
nors. They were arraigned together.
Ben Fancher, their victim, told his
story, which was substantially the same
that he told Immediately after the hold
up, on which The Tribune's report was
based.
None of the three displayed a
weapon, Fancher said. though the old
est of the trio. Connors, said something
uDOuJ SlOOllIlS. uey Sol Iio iHoiiSy
from him. Fancher went on, because
he had none to give them; neither did
they attempt to rifle or go through his
pockets.
Devine, he said, grabbed the horses
reins. in front of Charles Schimmells
house, and Purcell and Connors pulled
him or forced him out of the buggy.
Devine walked behind him, the other
,;t M, 9TH 1,s,1
the Arlington house. on Dundaff street,
and Fancher began to shout so Justify
that he attracted .Patrolman Garden,
who was nearby. The ltrio, Fancher
said, represented they We're officers and
insisted they would take him. to Jail
unless he produced S.. His horse he
found by the roadside, when he returned
after the capture of the. trio by the
police.
Alderman Jones was not impressed
by the evidence that there was any pre-
meditated plan on the part of any of
the accused to rob Fancher. They hap
pened upon him on the roadway. The
three had been drinking. Seeing Fan
cher was partly asleep and knowing
him, they held him up for a drink or
two and half-urged and half-forced
might find open. In the meantime,
Fancher's shouts drew the police and
upset the mems calculations.
The alderman while impressed with
the belief that there was no intent to
rob, sternly rebuked the trio for their
interceptng Fancher on the highway.
This of itself constituted a misde
meanor and opened possibilities of the
commission of a felonious act. The
public should be protected against such
molestation, even though it was cloaked
by the motive of procuring another
drink He then held the three on three
charges-highway robbery, attempt at
felonious assault and impersonating an
officer.
The total bail was $500 in each case.
Purcell's father went his sons secur-
ity, but neither Devine nor Connors
could get bail and We're taken to the
county Jail by Chief of Police Mean
drew on the 5.2S Delaware and Hudson
train last night.
Devine and Purcell are natives OF
Carbondale and live in the Dundaff sec
tion. Connors is a comparatively new
conner. He lived in New York until
about year ago. when he moved to
Carbondale. He has Il handsome face, |
and though not large in stature, he is |
Well-built, and has the bearing of a |
soldier. He has strikingly good looks, |
but in his shabby clothing and his be- |
ing arraigned on the charge he was |
made his appearance in Alderman
Jones' court not a trihe incongruous.
All three are idle ninerc