The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1926-08-27

some to him now that he had small
fortune in his possession, ne prudently
stuck to 1t until June. 1884. Then,
year having elapsed since the rob-
berry, he decided that it would be
safe for him to launch out into a
pleasanter life. He accordingly went
to Buffalo, where he entered into Oil
speculations with friend who claimed
to have inside information" from the
Standard Oil company. Although for
tunate at the start, the failure Of
Grant & Ward brought them heavy
losses, and soon their profits and their
original capital were swept away.
Proctor assured Mr.. Pinkerton that, at
the time of their talk, he was ruined,
and that he had intended, during this
very visit to Susquehanna which ended
in his arrest, making application for
his old position as foreman of the
boiler shops.
Having heard Proctor's confession,
Mr.. Pinkerton took counsel with the
officers of the express company They,
believing that Proctor had been only
a tool in the hands of two smart pro-
fessonal criminals, agreed with the
detective that the ends of justice de-
manded rather the apprehension of
his confederates than his punishment
alone. Proctor protested great pen
itence for his wrongdoing, and de-
clared himself willing to do whatever
was in his power to make amends.
The first step necessary to the cap
ture of Donahue and Collins was to
get them both into the United States
at some point where they could be ar
rested at the same time. Donahue
was still in Canada, where he could
not be taken. Mr. Pinkerton arranged
with Proctor to write to Donahue that
he had discovered another safe which
offered tempting opportunity, hop
ing in this way to induce him to cross
the line into the United States. To
give color to the story it was neces-
sary to accord Proctor apparent free
dom of movement; but he pledged him.
self not to leave Susquehanna without
Mr.. Pinkerton's permission, and to
keep the detective informed by letter
and telegraph of all developments. At
the same time detectives were sent to
Canada to keep watch over Donahue.
Collins, in the meantime, had been
located in Albany, but no attempt was
made to arrest him until Donahue
could be brought over the line. Should
he cross without notifying Proctor, the
men Swallowing" him were to cause
his arrest. 1t was arranged with
Proctor that, In case his letter failed
himself, persuade Donahue to send for
Collins, and then induce the two to
come back with him, when they would
be arrested the moment they crossed
the line.
On the Goth of November Robert
Pinkerton received word by telegraph
that Proctor had left Susquehanna
suddenly in the night, telling the
agent of the express company that he
would return the next day. This
looked very much as If Proctor had
played him false. since it had been
expressly stipulated that he should
not go away without Mr.. Pinkerton's
permission. Days went by, and Proc
tor did not return. Then word came
from one of the Pinkerton men at Fort
Erie that Proctor had arrived at Dona-
hue's hotel and had been joined there
by Collins. This was serious set
back for the detectives. Not only
were the three robbers safe from ar
rest where they were, but being fully
aware of the danger threatening them,