The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1946-02-04
PAIR CAUGHT
AFTER CHASE
CONTINUED from Page One)

improviShed shelter. made OF poles,
covered on top with pieces of tar
naper the sides being left open.
On the ground the pair had spread
eight or 10 blankets which they had
stolen from the houses, and used
for bedding. They covered with
other blankets.
From Topsan residents and sum-
mer staacks of Wilmington citizens
they had stolen a trunk and otner
household goods and money. They
had food which officers said was
enough to feed them Tor several
months. Their array Of fire arms MS
and ammunition was also plentiful
some of it in good shape, some
needing repair. ..
Among Wilmington residents
whose summer houses the men nao
broken into are Edgar L. Vow, u
Watts Farthing and George houu-
tree, Jr.
Enter Residence
Events leading to the climax OF
the desperadoes' career began
Saturday afternoon when they
emerged from their hiding place
and entered the residence OF Har'
vey Jones, planter of the Top
sail community.
Jones lives with his wife IN a
house which officers said is lsolat'
ed from neighbors during the
winter months. The men visited the
Jones house during their absence
and ransacked it for valuanles
which they took back to their hide
out. They found a German Luger
pistol and a % rifle in the house
and about 500 rounds Of ammunl-
ton.
While examining the pistol,
Forbes was shot through the hand
causing it to bleed, this the teions
bandaged with first aid facllltles
which they had stolen previously:
After carrying their loot to their
hide-out, Mills and Forbes return,
ed to the Jones residence and
waited outside until they returned
home.
otis A Holdup"
When the Jones' came home anu
found their house had been enter
ed, they prepared to return to
HAMPSTEAD and notify authorities
but as they walked out to get into
their car, Mills and Forbes who
had been hiding behind the Jones'
car pulled their guns on them ana
told them to put up their hands.
cts ho1d-up give us your
the men told them.
Jones and his wife emptied their
pockets and purses and gave the
robbers a total OF $40,31, after
which the Jones were held at the
point of the guns for about an hour
while the bandits decided what
to do with them.
Then Mills and Forbes decided
they were hungry for some good
home-cooking which they demand
ed Mrs. Jones to prepare, includ-
ing hot biscuits.
The bandits also brought one OF
their guns back from their hide
put and demanded Jones to repair
It. Jones was not familiar with
gun-smithing, but in short period
IF about three hours he had re-
paired the gun, % target model.
Then the bandits demanded
Jones to drive them to Hampstead
which he did, Mrs. Jones accom-
panying them.
ROwed Across
Crossing the Sound presented a
problem to the party as the bridge
was up. So the men demanded
Jones take his boat and row them
across, distance of approx
imately mile after which they
forced Jones to take his truck
parked 500 yards away and bring
them to Hampstead.
Near Hampstead the two bandits
decided to walk the rest of the way
and alighted at Colon Padgett'
house and proceeded on foot. The
Jones Immediately contacted rela-
tives at Hampstead, who notified
Wilmington officials.
Wilmington officers joined the
officers from Fender county and
the Federal agent and initiated a
search for Mills and Forbes which
led them through investigations Of
eight residences before they found
their men.
The fugitives were found at the
residence of Jim Riggs located
about a mile and half off the
road which leads from Hampstead
to Castle Hayne, or four miles
from u. S. II.
Mills Intoxicated
Officers said they went in tile
Riggs house and found MILF. " e
had become intoxicated after steal.
ing a bottle of wine, lying before
the fire in the living room. Wher
the officer saw him he had his
right eye open and his left eye
closed. Officers said he quickly
closed his left eye and pretended
to be asleep. He offered no re
sistance to arrest, officers said.
Forbes was later found in bach
room of the Riggs home hiding ir
the corner of a room which wa.
dimly lighted, He had not beer
drinking, neither did he offer re
sistance to arrest, officers said.
Riggs told officers that the two
men came to his house and wantee
to come in and warm. He sale
tho OF, had 0I,pc orI ~ na1,rca =.