Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1905-10-28


ZO.EPH AHRG7ZG
q grown daughter, who came running
to the porch and did what she could to
comfort her mother.
While there was no possible doubt
that the members of Biebush's family
had full knowledge of the nefarious
business in which he had been engaged
All his life, they seemed to take his ar
rest as hard as though It was not 10 be
expected. The prisoners daughter
went for her fathers hat and coat. He
had wanted time to get these himself.
but had refused to allow II, knowing
that he undoubtedly would make his
escape into the woods in the rear OF his
house and be lost 70 us-perhaps for
good. The venerable male<Rctor took
his arrest calmly, as he had done when
previously arrested. and cAatted with
the officers on his way to the four courts
where he was locked UP.
The leader OF the band in custody the
work OF the night was only begun. I
had determined TO make all the arrests
that night--or as many OF them as Dos
sible-before the news OF the arrest OF
the ringleader reached the others.
T'wenty-six years ago the telephone was
not in general use. and other means of
communication were much more linn
tied than At present, so felt that II we
worked fast the chances for any OF the
sang escaping US were small.
In my detective career Of 40 years I
do not recall another night as lively as
that one Our next move was against
the ThomaSes. To make these arrests
we took onicer Weigman, as he was
familiar with the minister and his wife
and with the premises, besides being an
intelligent and trustworthy policeman.
Arriving at the house In Finney avenue.
sent Weigman ahead to knock al the
door. Mrs. Thomas responded. Weig-
man asked for her husband. and the
ministers wife said he was out-she
believed attending q lecture at DR..
Brooke's church. but she expected him
home soon.
While Weigman was holding Mrs.
Thomas in conversation Wheeler and I
entered the house, telling Mrs. Thomas
we intended TO make search OF the
premises. She was properly Indignant.
but cool ] ordered her under arrest.
and placed her In Wheeler's custody I
then sent Weigman out to wait for
Thomas, as IL was evident his wife had
told the truth about his absence. We
intended. OF course, 10 take Mrs Thomas
70 jail, and as she was not properly at
tired for such a trip. directed Wheeler
to have her select such additional cloth
ing as she wished TO wear.
The preachers wife was an Amazon
In 9hysique, and strongly masculine in
disposition and action. She claimed TO
have been Mrs. Richard Pollard. a widow.
when she married Thomas. two years
before. having formed the acquaintance
or the minister. through taking music
lessons from him during her widow
hood. There had been some sinister
suggestions concerning the disappear
ance of Pollard. but believe no evil
dence ever was presented going TO show
that there was anything irregular in the
affair. We had learned good deal con-
corning her physical bravery and de-
termination while 'shadowing" her
during the previous weeks, and. while
wishing to show her every possible
courtesy due woman. dared not let
her out Of our sight. After she had Sc
lected the clothes she wanted I had
Wheeler search them for a concealed
weapon. but none was found.
While she was dressing for the street
and l was making a hurried search Of
the house ! was startled by a pistol
shot outside. Telling Wheeler to watch
the woman, | ran from the house. to
find Weigman graphing With Rev. Mr..
Thomas Il seems when Thomas ar
rived Weigman promptly covered him
with his revolver and told him be was
under arrest The minister. a power
full man physically. did not see at meek.
ly TO submit 10 arrest and be fiercely
attacked the policeman. striking him a
terrific blow on the Jaw. Weigman fred
shot TO bring help. ran up to Thorn
as. and, before he had chance to offer
further resistance. clapred the hand
cuffs on him.
"one seems to have done IT." said
mo three men In St. Louis can take
me-" angrily declared Thomas.
Weigman-
Not by a id sight" retorted the
minister, significantly.
Just what he intended to do cannot
say. fer at that instant there came loud
shrieks from the woman In the house.
Leaving the preacher handcufred and
under cover of Weigman's revolver, 1
rushed into the house to fnd Wheeler
desperately trying to wrest q revolver
from the determined grip OF the minis
ter's wife. The deputy marshal was q
man OF great physical power. but he had
all he could do 10 secure the loaded
weapon and subdue It's owner. Al
though Wheeler b nd searchedthe clothes