The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-27
Burglars Betrayed by Methods.

How a gang of bank burglars may be traced bv the cartnarks of thcir work is shown in the recital of the story of the attack upon the First National Bank of Orwell, Vt, on the night of Nov. 26, 1902
 '~rhe First National bank. Orwell. Vt, tele- grsphed your protective committee that bur glars had attacked their vault and safe with out securing any money. Our Investigation did not result in any tangible clews, descrip- tons or identifcations at the time, but later we learned that the attempt had been made by the 'yegg safe burglars. James Lang, alias Black Billy; Charles Rogers, alias New Britain Blaclxie': H. W. Wilson. alias 'Phila- delphia Harry and Walter Wood, alias 'Cleve,' all of whom were known to us.
 Lang. the leader of the band. and H. W. Wilson were former associates of the Goat Hinch band of burglars-executed or impris- oned through our efforts for the murder of night watchman Matthew Wilson at Cobleskill N. r., in November, 1900 where the watchman attempted to arrest them as they were about to attack a member of your association. Much Of tho money used for the defense of these criminals was furnished by Lang and his companions. from the proceeds of safe burg iaries. We traced them through New England to New York. and finally to the south
 "Jan. 6, 1908, the Bank of Davie. Mocksville, N. C., reported to your association that burg lars had demolished their vault and safe, but had obtained no booty. While investigating this for your association Charlotte (N. C.) merchants safe was blown open. Jan. %, 190S postoffice safe was attacked at Matthews N. C., Jan. M, and officers and citizens in the surrounding country, who had boen notified by telephone and telegraph. were watching for the burglars. Feb. 2 between and a. m- two men suspected of being part of the gang alighted from train at Monroe. N. c. Offi- cers attempted to arrest them, but they open ed fire and escaped. but were captured later the same day, and the same evening, after considerable shooting. two more suspects were arrested near Monroe. They carried nitrogly- cerin, rcvolvers. and masks, and a portion of the money found on them was identified by the Charlotte merchant whose safe had been robbed, and on ono CWood) was found tho return portion of excursion ticket, New York to Asheville. dated Dec. IS. 1902.
 we identified the prisoners as James Lang. Charles Rogers. Walter Wood, and H. B. Wilson.
 ''These were the men who attacked your members-the First National Bank. Orwell. Vt, and the Bank of Davie. Mocksviile, N. C. For the latter crime they were fully identi- fed, but through an understanding with the United States authorities 1t was decided to first prosecute them for the burglary of the postoffice at Greers, S. C., which they had committed. We assisted in their prosecution, furnished their criminal records and photo- graphs, and arranged for their identification by the Auburn (N. Y.) Manchester (E. H.), and charlestown CMass) prison authorities.
 FtAGay 1, 1898. all were convicted at Green ville S. C., sentenced each to five years im- prisonment in the United States prison at At lanta, Ga, and to pay a fine of $500
 At our suggestion warrants have been lodged for them with the warden of the United States prison at Atlanta, Ga. for robbing the Bank of Davie. Mocksville, N. C.
 This band of burglars was responsible for a number of bank. postoffice, and store safe burglaries in New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts and was also concerned in several 'hodups' in the east