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At
an early hour last Friday morning a gang of burglars made an attempt
to rob the bank at Sodus and, while preparing to blow open the safe,
were discovered by night watchman, Edward Pullman, who is believed to
have attacked them, and whom they killed. The crime was not
discovered till 6:30 In the morning, when Mr. Pullman was wanted, and
a search was made for him. His dead body was found in the bank.
It
was then learned that people in the vicinity of the bank had heard
several shots fired about 2 o'clock, but supposed it to be a boyish
prank and no investigation was made. It was later found that the B.
W. &. 0. Station had been robbed, but less than a dollar was
secured by the burglars.
The
burglars secured a rig and were noticed by some one to drive west.
As soon as the crime was discovered in the morning, information was
sent to the police authorities of all the cities and towns in this
part of the state. At an early hour three suspicious looking
characters drove into Rochester, left their rig in the outskirts of
the city, and walked rapidly away. This was reported to the police
and the men were traced to a rooming house in that city.
A
search of the house showed that a large room was locked.
Forcing their way into this, the police found the three men, the
leader being recognized as "Big Ed" Kelly, one of the most
notorious burglars in the country. He made no secret of his identity
and readily recognized the Chief of Police. His companions are
believed to have given fictitious names.
Two
entire suits of clothes were found in the room occupied by the two
men and the police felt assured that they belonged to two others of
the same gang. |
One
of the men had a bullet wound in his leg and derby hat, which nobody
would claim, had two bullet holes in it. It is believed that this
wound and bullet holes were made by the revolver of watchman Pullman
when he discovered the gang in the bank.
It
is thought that this gang has been responsible for the long series
of postoffice and other robberies which have taken place in western
New York during the past few months. Whether the Sodus crime can be
brought directly home to these prisoners is not certain, but there is
little doubt in anybody's mind that they are the guilty parties and
ought to be brought to justice. It is not yet determined where
the trial of the prisoners will take place. but there is a very
strong demand on the part of Sodus citizens that their trial should
take place in Sodus, where it is believed that valuable evidence can
be obtained and where some body may recognize some of the gang who
are thought to have been hanging around Sodus, possibly for some time past.
Edward
Pullman was one of the most respected residents of Sodus and a
splendid officer. He was absolutely fearless and this characteristic
probably lead to his death. It is believed that he found the gang in
the bank getting ready to blow open the safe and attacked them alone
without waiting to summon assistance. Cornered and hardened, he was
murdered by the desperate criminals whom he had at bay. The affair
has made a profound sensation in this part of the state has awakened
the peaceful citizens of country villages to the lurking danger of
attack by professional criminals. The three men been brought to Lyons
jail to await investigation. |