Perth Amboy evening news., 1909-02-11


that when he was caught once before
for taking coal from loaded barge he
had learned lesson and had never re-
peated the offense. He did not know
the name of the barge from which he
got the coal nor the name of the cap
tain. Charles johnson was brought out
again from the lookup and asked If he
had seen Mcdonald last night. John
son said he had seen McDonald's g boat
60 by him filed with coal but he could
not swear that Mcdonald was in it. The
Lehigh Valley officers said they were
ready to prove in court that Mcdonald
was guilty, so the recorder held him.
Weseott, when questioned, said that
this was the first time he had ever
stolen coal, but his statement was rid
iculed by the recorder.
The charge against Johnson, Mervin,
Wescott and Odlum is grand larceny,
and against Mcdonald, receiving stolen
goods. 1t was testified in court that
The coal in the latter's boat was the
same kind as found in those of the 9th
or four prisoners Mcdonald was not
arrested until this morning while the
others were captured last night.
As none of the prisoners could fur
nish the $500 bail this morning they
were locked up again and will probably
be taken to the county Jail today or to-
morrow to await the action of the
grand jury.
Heavy Losses Of Goal.
The Lehighs Valley detectives claim
that the coal pirating has been practic-
ed in local waters for years and that
this winter hundreds of tons Of coal
have been taken from tows. The men
with skiffs or other suitable boats
watch for tows leaving the coal docks
at night and then run alongside and
board them. The captains of the barges
are paid small sum and they allow
the thieves to fill their boats, it is
charged. The men then take the coal
ashore to sell 1t about town. Many
people here, it is asserted, have for
years bought their coal at reduced rates
from certain 'longshoremen.
The local special officers of the com
pany have tried to catch the pirates at
work but the latter were too clever and
escaped every time. Recently it was
decided to make general raid and
Special Officer McDermott, of this city,
arranged with Chief Haines, of Easton,
10 bring several detectives here.
Last night was set for the raid and
Yesterday afternoon Chief Haines and
The following detectives arrived in this
city: Jerry Holly, of Phillipsburg; John
Binkle, of Bethlehem, Pa; and John
McDonough, of South Plainfeld. They
with Special Officer James MeDermott
and the following local detectives of
the company started their watch short
ly after 6 o'clock: James Mansfield,
Patrick Fitzgerald and John Shultz.
o{iicers on Watch.
Some of the officers boarded the tug
boat Allentown while the others kept
watch from the shore. A tow composed
of about eighteen barges was due to
leave and go up the sound to Jersey
CITY and it was believed that the pi-
rates would then begin their work.
The tow left 1.-THE Stakes" between
the stock yards and the coal docks,
shortly before s 'clock and headed out
In the stream. The Allentown, with the
officers aboard, was lowering nearby
and suddenly several small boats ran
alongside of the tow. Both the officers
on the tug and those on the shore saw
them fill their boats with coal.
AIter geCtlng bheii ooa'S io"mOu
men headed down the sound. The Al
lentown slowly followed to learn where
they we're going to land, while the Of
fcers on shore headed southwark. Cd
lum brought his boat in near the Roes-
sler & Hasslacher Chemical Works and
was captured, together with Wescott,
by the shore squad. Later johnson and
Mervin were caught when they landed
on Merritt g dock at the foot Of Fay
ettte street Mervin showed fight but
Special Officer James Mansfield, Of this
city, subdued him after a struggle. Nc
Donald's boat was found later tied up
at the foot of Market street.
The tugboat Allentown, after the ar
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