New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-31
NEGROES PREY ON SAILORS
THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY BREAKING UP
A GANG OF SWINDLERS AT
THE BATTERY.

Warrants viii be asked for this morning 1or
the arrest OF at least two members OF CoIoieu
gang which for several weeks has been creating
a reign of terror about the Battery. a stappihs
ARRAY robbery and at least two successIu'
swindling games in the last week have oeen
traced TO 1t by the Legal Aid Society through
its attorney. Clark H. Abbott Already one
member of the gang has been sentenced, and by
the end Of the week the Legal Aid Society hopes
to have under arrest the entire gang. which has
been victimizing the ignorant colored sailors
from foreign ports.
The first case which reported to the Legal
Aid Society happened last week David Candy
q colored sailor, who arrived at this port on
sailing vessel hailing from Colombo. in the East
Indies was met by two friendly colored men
as he came ashore. They represented to him
that they owned a large building in this CITY,
and were looking for janitor. Tired from his
long sea voyage, Candy listened to them Will
ingly when they offered him easy berth
ashore. He, drew his pay at their suggestion
and accompanied them to No. al Wall-st
This was the building the pair pretended to
own Candy was led 10 the elevator and taken
UP and down several times and then several or
the Offices were shown to him. The offer was
then made to him that he should act as janitor
and receive 50 a day. He accepted and was
requested 20 turn over the money he had drawn
Tor a uniform. Inc PRETENDED employers dSIeeu
TO go out and purchase the clothes. and said
that they would be back soon. Candy turned
over S22 10 them. all the money he had. and
they departed. OF course they did not return.
and after a vain wait Candy applied to the
Legal Aid Society.
? The society advanced him little money and
directed him TO watch in State-st. for the men
who had swindIed him. A few days afterward
he caught sight OF one of the men. and, calling
TO a policeman. started IN pursuit. A crowd
Joined in the chase. and after an exciting run
and sharp scrimmage the man was captured.
> On Tuesday the man. who gave his name as
William Willis. sentenced to nine months
on BlackwelIs Island
A similar adventure met Alexander Augustus
Mccarthy, who despite his name. is very
black citizen of the West India Islands. Nc
Carthy also taken to No. II WaIl-st.. where
he paid SI3 for his uniform. After the convic-
ton Of Willis, Mccarthy who also applied 10 the
Legal Aid Society, was taken to Blackwell's
Island and saw Willis. He failed TO identify
him, and the officers of the Legal Aid Society
believe that there are a number Of negroes in
the gang who are carrying the swindling.
Clark II. Abbott. the attorney Of the Legal Aid
Society. when seen by Tribune reporter yes
terday at his Office. No. 3 State-st. made the
following statement:
am going get warrants for the arrest of at
least two other men, who I believe members
Of the Battery gang of sWndlers and thieves. There
has been epidemic OF robbery and assault
around here lately, and l attribute a large share
of it the same colored men who robbed Candy
and Mccarthy Last Saturday night. a man who
passing in front of Office here felt man
snatch for his pocketbook. As he put up his hand
70 guard himself the man stabbed him. Although
wounded severely he hung on, and succeeded IN
landing his assailant In the hands of the police
Still another example of the general lawlessness
existing here happened yesterday morning, when
the Chinese laundry under my Office entered
by burglars. All these incidents. happening in
such rapid succession, lead believe that there
is gang work. Of course, in the main, their
work is done with such Candy and Nc
Carthy, ignorant and unsuspecting foreigners. We
hope to land the who did those jobs; we have
one of them already. Our office was organized to
protect sailors OF this sort from the pirates who in
fest the waterfront
In reply to a question about the action of the
police in cleaning out the gang. Mr.. Abbott said:
A few weeks ago the police very active
down here. There was robbery near the Aquari-
UNI, and $50 stolen Then the Police Depart
ment sent down half dozen patrol wagons and
rounded up a big crowd of the toughs who hang
around here. preying the sailors. That was some
time ago. though. ard things growing worse