The Washington herald., 1914-07-18
GUNMAN
FACING THE CHAIR
chippy Robinson. Who Killed
Boston Policeman, to Be
Tried Monday.
FIGURED IN MANY "J0BS"
Captured After Sensational Re
volyer Battle in Crowded
|, Street.
FIGURED IN MANY JOBS"

Boston. July 1.-THE district attorneys s
once has everything In readiness to be-
gin the trial next Monday OF Lawrence
(chippy) Robinson. the notorious gun
man, who less than four weeks ago shot
and killed Police Inspector Thomas j.
Norton, who was one Of a squad Of Of
fcers attempting to arrest Robinson and
q companion In q well known downtown
cafe. The accused man. despite his i'm
maeulate dress and outward appearances
Of gentility. is considered one Of the
most daring criminals with which the
Boston police have ever had TO deal. and
his trial Is expected to attract wide at
tention.
Robinson halls from Ohio and is un-
derstood to have made Toledo his head
quarters most Of the time. He was
wanted in Grand Rapids. Mich, in con-
nection with the daylight robbery of the
Thompson jewelry store in that city last
September, in which three men con-
nected with the concord were shot and
killed by two robbers, who escaped with
more than 1900 worth Of diamonds.
Three months ago Walter Lawrence
was arrested in Covington. KY. on a
charge Of having been connected with
the Grand Rapids robbery. He Is al
legged to have confessed. and to have
named Robinson as his companion in the
crime
The Grand Rapids police sent circulars
broadcast bearing a description Of Rob-
inson, offering a reward Of 5000 for his
capture. Other rewards offered for the
capture and conviction of the murderers
totaIed $500. This led TO great activity
on the part Of police and detectives the
country over.
Found by Pinlxertons.
The Pinkertens were brought into the
case by the National Protective Associa-
ton Of Jewellers. Two of their detectives
finally succeeded in locating Robinson in
this city. where for several weeks he had
been living at q downtown hotel and
spending money lavishly at nearby sum
mer resorts. Living with him was q young
man named Joseph buddy. whose ac-
quaintance he had made in Toledo, hut
who, so far as is known, was not con-
cerned in the Grand Rapids robbery.
On June Is the two detectives found
Robinson and buddy dining in the cafe.
The detectives belonged in Philadelphia,
and in consequence had no authority
to make arrests here without a warrant.
They therefore telephoned to police
headquarters TO send an ofhcer. Police
Inspector Norton was just leaving head
quarters 10 attend the graduation of the
oldest Of his seven children. Without
hesitation he accepted the assignment
and hurried to the cafe to meet the de-
tectlves. On learning OF the dangerous
character of Robinson. and Of his pro-
pensity to shoot on the slightest occa-
sion, the inspector picked up two Of his
brother officers on the street. which made
a party of five TO accomplish the arrest
Upon entering the cafe the party at
once walked toward the table where
Robinson sat with his companion II
was midafternoon and the cafe was illed
with men and women, laughing and
joking. As the police approached Robin
son glanced up and in an instant was on
his feet. He drew his revolver quickly.
saying. You'll never take me alive"
Then there was a shot. Inspector Norton
grabbed Robinson. who managed to shake
son fred his revolver, and Norton fell
with a bullet wound Just under the heart.
He died before he reached the hospital. =.
Running Revolver Battle.
The other policemen rushed at Robin
son. but he fought them OF, and reach
ing one OF the exits, dashed up the stair
way leading TO the street. The pursuing
policemen were right at Us heels, each
with his revolver in his hand. Then fol
lowed a running pistol fight. the like OF
which Boston had rarely seen. Door
ways soon were filled with men and wom-
en-. Bullets shattered store windows near
by and the noise OF the battle could be
heard for blocks. Trafic was brought
to a standstill and cars were deserted as
they stood in the street
The chase soon ended, however. for
the police were REINFORCED by mounted
officers, and Robinson, cornered. was
taken to headquarters. In the course
Of the pursuit the desperate was shot
three times by the officers. None Of the
proved serious, and at the end
Of three or four days he was removed
from the hospital and lodged in a cell.
Asia. which is the largest Of the conti- |