New Britain herald., 1914-07-24
MARCHES IN TRIO AT POINT OF GUN
 Officer Mcchan Captures Cang Y Single Handed.
 SUSPECTED OF STEALING CHICKENS


 Accompanied by Three Hunting Dogs
 Officer Runs Down Hobo Campers
 Shortly After O'Clock This AIorn-
 ing and Conducts Men Into Town.
 Three desperate looking characters were arrested single handed by Officer Patrick Meehan at the point of gun early this morning when he stumbled upon their camp, situated on the south shore of No. reservoir near the West Hartford town line. The three men say they are Tony Doneki of 103 Grove street. Wadislaw Caliski, of 56 Grove street and William Lavis- supposed to be the gang of chicken thieves that has been infesting the outlying sections to the north of this city.
 Complaint Received at 40 a. m.
 At 1:4O o'clock this morning Mrs.
 
 phoned into the police station that chicken thieves had just visited her hennery and had got away with seven teen plump hens. Officer Meehan heard of the complaint and when he went off duty at 4 o'clock he deter mined to try and run them down. With his three hunting dogs as his only allies the officer started north h0f 40 ntr .1 ing through the woods near the Hart ford reservoir
 Runs Into Hobo Camp.
 Suddenly Officer Meehans dogs pricked up their ears and the next IT. oment, with their master close be- hind them. they dashed into a hobo camp which was hidden in a clump of high bushes. Seated around a blazing camp fire were three husky looking individuals who leaped to their feet in alarm when they saw a stranger burst in upon them. One of them, a large powerful man, showed fight and. throwing out his chest started towards Officer Meehan with the intention of either intimidating him or else doing him bodily injury. Marched Into Town. When the officer calmly pulled out a wicked looking revolver and leveled it at the approaching mans breast however his courage disappeared and he became very peaceful and docile as did all the rest. After asking them a few questions concerning the thefts of chickens to which the big man re- piled: Well. you didn't catch me eat ing any of them did your" the officer Sye,xy hA nrd1 tA were not so disposed but glance at the revolver held steadily in Officer Meehan's hand and a side glance at the three dogs who were crouched nearby awaiting word from their master to start things" persuaded them that they had best obey. So with the three men marching ahead of him in single file and flanked by the three dogs, Officer Meehan paraded his prisoners into town. where he was met by the patrol wagon.
 The three men were locked up on technical charge of vagrancy but without doubt the evidence collected will warrant an additional charge of being chicken thieves.
 Evidence Is Collected.
 hdEiy tIllS MStIdH, accompanied by Officer Wagner iagain visited the hobo camp to collect all the evidence against the prisoners they could. and they found plenty. A short distance from the site of their camp is a long stone wall and hidden beneath these stones the officers found a great quantity of chicken feathers. In another place they found foa hnr Co iy h,tr ial in stones. Lying about the camp proper were seven pint whisksy bottles and one quart bottle. showing that the occupants had not been temperance advocates. two long fish poles with tackle showing that 1t is likely that they had been poaching in the Hart ford reservoir several blackened pots and pans which gave evidence of having been used to boil the chick ems in and large bag of salt. In another hidden spot were found a large number of chickens legs and heads A comical thing found in the camp was a tin drinking cup with the "A present for good child" In addition to few old clothes there was nothing else found at the camp.
 Dead Hens in Swamp.
 Subsequent investigation in the vi- cinity of Mrs. Knowles residence | brought to light seven of her stolen | hens. They were all dead and were ! hidden in n swamp behind her house. The hens were all plump Plymouth Rocks and the seven that were found | twenty-seven pounds. Later the officers found a large quantity of leg bands in the swamp and about the hobo camp. These bands correspond | with those worn by Mrs. Knowles chickens
 Said They Didn't Work.
 Officer Meehan says he told the three men they shouldn't be fishing