The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1904-10-08
SENT ON TO THE GRAND JURY.
Three Men Held In Connection With The
Robbery of DR.. Matthias House.
One Confessed 10 the Theft-AIs Were
Drinking And Had Poor Memories.

Thomas Pagan, Thomas Donnelly and John
d. Gibbons are in Jail to await the action of
the Circuit Court under commitment by jus
tice William Moore, in default of bail.
On Tuesday morning, between 10 and IL
O'Clock, the residence of DR.. John S. Matthias
this city. was entered and robbed of dress
suit case, a suit of clothes, and two overcoats.
The DR.. was away on professional calls and
the most of the family were at Church. After
the robbery, Mr.. Seechrist reported to officer
Jerome that three men we're in the alley, near
Lautz's carpenter shop, aud one had spoken
Extensively to him. The officer went to the
scene and found the men. Discovering they
had been drinking he advised them to leave
town and avoid arrest. They went down the
alley to the railroad. Jerome carrying the dress
suit case to help them along. The men went
down the railroad track east of town. Ohoer
Jerome went toward Main street, when he was
informed of the robbery. Jerome AT once
knew that the men he had piloted out OF town
were the guilty parties, and he and Deputy
Sheriff William Helm started in pursuit OF
them. They soCn came upon Thos Pagan and
John d. Gibbons, sitting on the railroad track,
They were placed under arrest VIM. Helm
stood guard over them while Jerome went
after the third man, whom he came up with
some two hundred yards away. This man was
case, it is supposed, for it was afterward found
near where he was arrested.
When Pagan was arrested he had on coat
belonging 10 Swope Matthias, the Doctors son.
and Gibbons had OF hls Overcoat, and IN hIs
lap we're Swopes coat and vest.
While Officer jerome was after D0nnelly,
Officer Helm observed Fsgan put his hand 10
his pocket to get revolver, and then drew
his own pistol. which he had borrowed for the
occasion DonnelIy' pistol was fired, but the
ball missed Helm, who was only few feet
away. Helm attempted to return the hre, but
his pistol did not go off, so he grappled with
Pagan aud subdued him after three severe raps
with the handle of his pistol, making several
gashes on Fagan's head.
The men were landed in Jail. and were
given a hearing before Justice Moore Wed
nesday morning, when the facts as above given
were brought out by States Attorney Steele.
In Their Own Behalf.
AT the conclusion of the States evidence
the accused made statements in their own be
half Pagan said he wanted to exoBerate the
other two men; that he had stolen the clothes
and they had nothing to do with the robbery,
nor did they know the clothes aud dress suit
case were stolen. He said he told them they
were given to him. He also denied having
attempted TO shoot Deputy Sheriff Helm, say
ing he had never carried pistol and never
fired one, and the reason he had one was that
he had probably stolen It. In answer to Mr.
Steele he said he was born in Ireland; that
his home was in Holyoke, Massachusetts; that
he had lief; there about five months ago. and
had worked at his trade as painter IN various
places the last place before coming 10 West
minister was al HAgerslown. where he worked
for Mr.. Flynn. Pagan said he had been sick
with malaria and between that aud drinking
whiskey he had been a wandsrer. land now,
he said with tone Of sadness. am thief.
His companions he said. he never saw Until
he met them IN Westminster. aud even then
did not know their names. He detailed hos
he came to meet them. and Of their getting
drunk together on whisky he had bought
Donnely told how be and the others met,
how be came 10 have the dress sgti case. &c
He said he came to Carroll 20 cut Of corn;
that be had been here before. had husked corn
for Mr.. Hall aud Mr.. Roger. both close 10
Westminster. and that he kue~ both Officer
Jerome and Ofiieer Helm.
Gibbons said he came from Baltimore, look
ing for work; that he met the other tao men
here and all got drunk together. None Of the
men seemed 10 have very clear recoilec-
lions Of what happened after the bottle Was
empty. though the stories they told % their
up to about the time TIE bottle ~as
drained dry seemed straight and truthful.
An additional charge Of carrying concealed
weapons Was preferred against FzgaB. aud
similar charge against Gibbons. upon whose
person was found a uzor