Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2017 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Labor Journal July 1, 1887 A DESPERADO CAPTURED!! With Complete Outfit of Burglar's Tools. Surprised in His Hiding Place by Alpena's Officers and Vigilence Committee!! SHERIFF LYNCH SHOT!!! By the Notorious Burglar and Murderer CHAS. CONKLIN, alias "BLINKY MORGAN" - A Dangerous Character - "JESSE JAMES" No. 2 - Six Strong Men Dropped on him Together at the RISK OF THEIR LIVES!! $16,000 Reward. (Revised and Corrected from Extra) This city was thrown into a state of excitement Monday evening about 9 o'clock by the capture of one, well identified, desperado, with two boon companions, in which Sheriff LYNCH was shot through the leg and his assistants narrowly escaped. Had those three desperadoes been together when the ar- rests were undertaken, there would, no doubt, have been a chance for some funerals that could not be recompensed by the $16,000 reward. But the lesser luminaries of the gang were arrested while leaving on the boat - City of Mackinac - with gripsacks in hand, by Sheriff LYNCH and Under-Sheriff DENTON without any trouble. MORGAN was arrested a few minutes later, before the news of his chums' arrest could possibly reach him, in the parlor of Mr. WILLIAMS, on 3d street, next door to the residence of Mr. DAFOE, where this trio had been hiding for some time, but not alto- gether unknown to our officers. While Under-Sheriff DENTON was escorting the two prisoners, just captured, to the jail, Mr. WILLIAMS' house was surrounded by Sheriff LYNCH, Marshall WESTROPE, Policemen E. A. WESTROPE, GEO. JONES, JAS. CONNORS, and ANGUS C. McDONALD. Sheriff LYNCH directed the Marshall, GEORGE JONES and E. A. WESTROPE to guard the side and back doors, while he, followed by McDONALD and CONNORS entered the front door. When they entered the room, MORGAN was sitting in a rocking chair partially facing them - about twenty feet from the front door - and by a happy accident his attention was engaged look- ing over a newspaper. However, when he recognized LYNCH his hands popped into his pockets for his two self-cocking revolvers, but LYNCH, knowing the kind of man MORGAN was, made a leap for life, seizing MORGAN by the throat, throwing him back on the floor, chair and all, before MORGAN had time to get out his revolver. McDONALD and CONNORS had hold of MORGAN nearly as soon as LYNCH. By this time MORGAN realized that he was in strong company. He got out one revolver out of his pocket, but as he did McDONALD seized him by the arm. CONNORS seized the revolver and held his hand and revolver close to the floor. Before they captured the revolver, MORGAN fired two shots while the revolver was in CONNORS' hand. One of those balls passed through the flesh part of LYNCH'S leg, enter- ing above the knee and lodging under the knee in the same leg. LYNCH said he was shot, but not dangerously, and gave the word to hang on to the animal - and they hung on. In the shooting, one of McDONALD'S hands and one of CONNOR'S hands were slightly wounded. After the second shot was fired the rest of the party ap- peared on the scene. All this transpired in a few seconds. This is the bravest and most hazardous cap- ture ever made or attempted in Alpena. Inasmuch as LYNCH was thoroughly aware of the desperate character of the man before him, and then cooly, deliberately and successfully, planned and made this arrest at the peril of his life, the people of this county have reason to feel proud of their Sheriff. He secured the assistance of the best men he could find in Alpena, and he made a good selection. Had not those three been muscularly powerful men, they acknowledge they would not have been able to arrest MORGAN, even if he had no revolver. This is how they know that they have the right man; for Sheriff LYNCH was warned some time ago by the Police Commissioners of Cleveland, Ohio, that the MORGAN the reward was offered for a dangerous character, a second "JESSE JAMES", and could hardly be arrested without loss of life, unless he could be captured asleep or without a moment's warning. This is why they approached him so well prepared, and lost no time in handcuffing him as soon as they became satisfied that he was the man. THEIR OUTFIT. The goods found in their satchels consisted of a few large dynamite cartridges, four revolvers, a bunch of skeleton keys, a diamond edged screw driver and drills, flint edged stones for cutting glass, a bottle of powder, masks, skull caps and false faces, a large assortment - and about 150 revolver cartridges, etc., etc. The following, among other things, from the Cleve- land Police Commissioners, is a SYNOPSIS OF THE CASE: About January 29, 1887, the fur store of BENEDICT & RUEDY, of Cleveland, Ohio, was burglarized of fifty seal skin cloaks valued at $8,000.00. Said goods were traced from place to place but were finally lost track of. On Feb. 1, one of the burglars was arrested at Allegheny City, Pa. Capt. HOEHN and Detective MULLIGAN received the prisoner to bring him to this city on the night train, leaving Allegheny at midnight. At 4 o'clock a.m. Feb. 4, while the train was stopping at Ravenna, Ohio, four men entered the car, assaulted our officers by firing on them, and seriously wounding them. They finally secured the prisoner and escaped in the dark. The wounds detective MULLIGAN received resulted in his death on Feb. 8, 1887. The description of this rescuing party, together with their names - assumed names - and photographs, with the offer of $16,000.00 reward for their arrest, was re- ceived by Sheriff LYNCH and Marshall WESTROPE last Febru- ary. They enlisted GEORGE JONES and a few others into their secret service and have been playing "detective" ever since. About two weeks ago Mr. JONES learned that there were some suspicious visitors - three men who answered the description given - at the residence of Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. JONES secured a room across the street from WILLIAMS' in Mr. McMASTER'S boarding house, and sat there day and night watching their manoeuvres, until last night when those two referred to above, started with their satchels for the boat, leaving MORGAN in the house behind them. Those two were captured on the boat, and while they were marching to jail MORGAN was put in bracelets, as already stated with the precision of clock work. Three of the Cleveland police commission - among them Capt. HOEHN who carries a scalp wound and 3 bullet wounds from the murderous hand of MORGAN, arrived here to identi- fy the prisoners, Tuesday night. On first sight of MORGAN (the genuine BLINKY) Cap't HOEHN seemed to turn pale! HE WAS THE RIGHT MAN!! They were more than surprised on see- ing that MORGAN was really arrested - and nobody killed! Knowing the man, as they know him, they acknowledged they never would have attempted to arrest MORGAN, as Sheriff LYNCH and his posse had done. They would have shot him on sight! They identified MORGAN and one of the others - the third man they did not know. They took the prisoners away on the steamer City of Alpena - accompanied by under Sheriff DENTON and GEORGE JONES, Wednesday night. And now Alpena breathes easier! At this writing Sheriff LYNCH is in much pain. He is not absolutely out of danger, as blood poisening and in- flammation may set in. However, there are strong hopes that he will recover. ===========================================================================