The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1913-12-05
GORMON'S DRAG NET
CATCHES SEVENTEEN
UNDESIRABLE" MEN
Migrants Questioned and
Taken Out of City in Au-
tomOhile Lots.
ACTIVITY OF POLICE
CHECKS BURGLARIES
Chief Gormon'S Drastic Ac-
ton Rids Richmond of
Suspicious Men.


Chief OF Police Gormon spread over
the city yesterday stopped the work
of stick-up men and providers. No rob-
berries or hold ups were reported TO
police headquarters.
Instructions to the force. increased
by corps of special officers, were 10
arrest all strangers who could not eN-
plain their business on the streets late
in the evening. Sixteen suspicious
characters were hauled in by the drag
net, which made a clean sweep OF the
city
The men were questioned by Chief
Gormon and Sergeant Winters. Today
they We're taken before Gormon for n
close examination. after which they
were ordered from the city.
Dropped on Road.
Test cars of the local automobile
companies were used TO take the pris-
oners several miles from the city
They were dropped one at time
along the road inside a radius of TWEEN
" miles.
The sixteen who spent the night in
the city Jail were slated for vagrancy
as follows: Joe Nelson. John Crockett.
Harry Runyon, Howard Watts, George
Shins, Walter Thomas. John Jackson.
Frank Davidson, Joe Tyrrell. James
Feely. Frank Miller. Ed Bowers. I'd
Stemm. William Feeny, John Stibich
and George Murray.
Special officers will be on duty in
definitely, according TO Police Chief
Gormon, until the epidemic of robber-
les and reports of suspicious happen
ings is completely stamped out.
Investigate Reports.
Patrolmen were kept busy during
the early part of the night investigat-
ing reports telephoned to headquarters
that providers and strangers were seen
in all parts of the city. In most cases
the reports proved ungrounded, and
often caused the patrolmen to ques-
tion the actions of law abiding citizens.
Members of the police department
fear that someone will be shot and
killed or seriously injured with so
many persons carrying guns. They be-
lieve there is more danger from ner-
vous excitable men and women hand
ling guns than from highwaymen or
burglars.
Two patrolmen responded TO an ur-
gent call to shadow three men seen
near Twelfth and North A streets late
in the evening. Following the men the
officers caught them. All three were
known to the patrolmen and investiga-
tion brought out that they had been
! spending the evening with young L.
dies.
/ Another False Alarm.
Patrol driver Wenger was called 90
| the west side about 9 o'clock by Ben
| Crump. who said he was about to
( catch a man who had been lurking in
! the vicinity of south Second. When the
! patrol arrived Crump reported that the
prowler had escaped.
! After an investigation OF the alleged
hold up of Leo b. Lahman by two cob
ored men outside the Kelly saloon in
Elm place Wednesday night, Chief
Gormon expressed doubt as to the
amount OF money which the men are
supposed to have taken.
The patrolman who Investigated the
case reported to Gormon that Lahman
/ drew S26 30 from the railroad Wednes-
day. During the day he paid two bills
one of s. and the other for 81. He also
paid other small accounts
l. Explains Money Loss.
Because of the mystery surrounding
some of the robberies and hold ups
Police Chief Gormon is inclined to he
skeptical and take the ground that in
some cases they may he an excuse TO
account for money lost while gamb-
ling.
Even though inclined TO this belief
Gormon is following every clue. and
will continue to do so until all doubts
are cleared. and citizens may again
feel perfectly safe on the streets.
Girls Frighten ProuIer.
Plans for the robbing of the James
Nichols home. 819 North II street,
were frustrated by the timely inter
vention of the Misses Louise and Mar
- g. n
their home a thug was seen trying to
force entrance in the front door. Upon
seeing the two young women he ran
from the porch and disappeared over
high board fence.
The two girls. who are employed at
the Arlington Hotel, were returning
home from work. when they spied the
man at work at their front door. They
bravely rushed through the gate intent
upon seiZing the supposed burglar but
he escaped their throes.
Neighbors in that vicinity reported
that many providers had been noticed
lettering in the streets OF Riyerdale,
So far as could be ascertained no
homes were entered during the night
although many attempts were made
Each time the awakening OF the fam.
lily thwarted the plans Of the bold
thieves.
Mistaken Identity.
Patrolman Menke believed he was
following a highTayman. when hs
opened fire on George Murray early
this morning. and Murray thought he
was being pursued by a stick-up man
bent on getting his money.
Going South on Fifth street in citt
zens clothes al o'clock Menke saw
: Murray standing by pole near the
corner Of a street. AS Msnke ap
preached Murray moved away.
In reply TO the Patrolman's com
J mand to stop, Murray took to his heels
dashed across the street and up the
alley south Of Main street toward
: Sixth
Bringing his gun into action Menks
: starfsd in nrirsTIif As each bullet whiS