Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03

untrue So far from having been an honest
man before the robbery, it came to light
that he was already at that time hardened
criminal, having committed bufglarles both
in the United States and Canada, and hav-
ing been sentenced under another name to
a term in the Massachusetts state prison.
While in prison he had contrived to make
keys that would unlock his own cell and
those of three other prisoners, and the four
had thus made their escape.
1t was now necessary for the detectives
to devise a new plan. Robert Pinkerton
knew that some three years earlier Dona-
hue had. been concerted in the robbery of
a hardware store at Quebec. His brother,
William Pinkerton, he also knew, had a
personal acquaintance with Donahue, from
having arrested him a number of years be-
fore. He therefore sent for William Pin
kerton to come to New York from Chi
cago, and on his arrival proposed TO him
that he go to Fort Erie, get an interview
with Donahue, and tell him of Proctor s
treachery in betraying Collins and himself
impress upon him that Proctor was dan
gerous man to have dealings with; and try
to induce him to lend his aid in delivering
Proctor and Collins over the line, just as
Robert Pinkerton had sought to have Proc
tor do in the case of Donahue and Collins
Donahue was known as 'staneh" man
that is, one who is true to his friends
and it was thought probable that he would
refuse to take part in any such scheme.
But In that event William Pinkerton was
to threaten MIN with arrest Iof the oiu fop-
berries at Winnipeg and Quebec.
This plan was carried out by William
Pinkerton with greater success than mad
been expected. AT first Donahue stoutly
refused to betray cenirade. but the dan
ger threatening himself was made TO ap-
pear so great that finally, seeing no other
way out of his difficulties. he consented to
to do what was asked of him In regard 10
Proctor Against Collins, however, he de-
clined to give any aid By working on
Proctor's natural fear of arrest. he easily
persuaded him that the Immediate de-
parture of all three of them-himself Proc
tor and Collins-for Europe was advisable
1t was arranged that they should not SAL
from Quebec or Halifax, since the steamers
from those points were likely to be watched
by detectives, but that they should leave
Fort Erie stealthily by night, make their
way separately to Montreal. and meet there.
This plan was carried out. and within a
few days the three were in Montreal, all
apparently of one mind in their desire to
escape the country, though In reality Proc
tor was the only one of the three VINO
thought himself in danger. Donahue had
taken Collins into his confidence, and Col
Inns was quite of Donahue's opinion that
they were doing the proper thing in saving
themselves by surrenderfng man VINO had
shown himself willing to betray them.
1t had been agreed between William Pink
erton and Donahue that at Montreal tickets
should be purchased TO Europe by way OF
Portland, Me-, and that the party should
leave Montreal at certaiS-<~ne by TIE
Grand Trunk road The line of this road
runs for number of miles through north
ern Vermont, and 1t was customary for the
train the men were to take to wait over
for an hour at Island Pond, little place
Just across the Canadian line. Here, it was
arranged, Robert Pinkerton was to be wait
ing, ready to take Proctor into custody,
and also (though in this part of the ar
rangement Donahue. of course. was not
consulted) Donahue and Collins should they
be so imprudent as TO stay on the train
until IL crossed the line. To the forward
ing of this latter end. indeed, special stra-
tagem was resorted to. Coneeiving that
Domaine and Collins, In order the more
completely to allay Proetor's suspicion,
might remain with him until the last sta
ton was reached on the Canadian side, the
detectives arranged that on this particular
right the train should not stop at that sta
ton, but push on at fun speed TO the
American side.
On certain Tuesday night Donahue, Col
Inns and Proctor took the 1o.15 pm. train
at Montreal for Portland, No sooner had
they left the station than q Pinkerlpn rep
resentatIve. who had shadow ed tlaerr:
abaard telegrap11ed the fact 10 Robert Pine