Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-10-02
Desperate Fight with a Thief.

Last week a stranger with face
strongly marked by smallpox put up
at the clearinghouse of William
Gassman, in Hagerstown, and soon at
terward walked off with lot of jew
elry be had gathered up in the house.
He went to Winchester, and, being
followed by officers, secretly left that
place, and the next heard from him
was at Halltown, where he asked for
lodging at the home of Harry Moore,
B. & o. brakeman. He was kindly
given shelter there Monday night,
and early Tuesday morning he left
Mr.. Moore's, taking with him a ring
and gold watch and chain that he
had stolen. He boarded an early
train, east bound. Detective Weber,
of the B. & o. Railroad, was on the
train, and in passing through the car
recognized the thief, whose descrip-
ton had been telegraphed and tele-
phoned to various points. The de-
tective placed him under arrest, when
the accused, who is about so years old
and six feet tall, arose and, drawing a
pistol, attempted to shoot the detect
i've. Weber was too quick for him
and grabbed his hand. A scuffle en-
sued, both men struggling for posses
sion Of the weapon, which finally fell
to the floor. The passengers were
frightened, and taking advantage of
the excitement the stranger ran to the
door and jumped from the train above
the tunnel at Washington Junction,
followed by the detective. After fir
ing several shots at him he surren-
dered. The prisoner was exceedingly
nervous and refused to say who he
was or whence he came. Baltimore
police were notified to intercept his
satchel, which was on the train on
which he was a passenger. The man
has been recognized as a thief who
is wanted on similar charges in Fred
erick, Baltimore and other places.
The prisoner was taken to Freder-
lex, Md, and lodged in Jail. Yester-
day he was tried before Judge Nc
Sherry, who melted out quick justice
to the thief by sentencing him 70 if-
teen years in the penitentiary, the
full penalty of the law. When the
sentence was imposed the prisoner
seemed dazed and exclaimed THAT
blow will kill my wife" Looking at
the judge, he said MAY God forgive
you" The jury was out only few
minutes. The stranger, who declined
to disclose his identity, was called
John Doe" by the court. He had
been indicted and was tried fol- steal
ing $l5 from Mrs. Tobias Newcomer,
September Is. Notwithstanding he
was identified by Mrs Newcomer and
a number of other witnesses, he swore
positively he had never benin Fred
erick before. In his own defense on
the stand it was apparent to all that
he was swearing to the most remarka-
bic combination OF falsehoods that has
perhaps been heard in the court.
eff you are the innocent man you
claim to be, said Judge McSherry,
"why don't you bring someone from
Washington, where you claim your
wife resides, to vouch for you and dis
prove the testimony of all these peo-
pie at whose houses you have been?"
When his grip was opened Mr.. Moore,
of Halltown, who was on the stand, de-
scribing the things the man took from
his house, recognized handsome silk
bedquilt of his, which he did not know
had been stolen. The prisoner is also
wanted in Columbia, Pa, for working
clearinghouse keepers. He is be-
lieved TO be one of the gang of three
thieves who are plying their opera
tions in Maryland and Virginia.
Everett, alias Remington, the con-
Wet, is man Of fine appearance. He
was dressed neatly in a dark plaid |
suit, with black Alpine hat. His face
is pitted with smallpox marks and
adorned with neat black mustache.
He speaks correctly and had claimed
to be Remington, an artist, in Hall
town. He told several persons that
he had interested Judge Lucas, of that
neighborhood, in his works. He has
a confederate, who claims to be en-
larging photographs.