Part 3. The Nathan Henninger farm was located in Cameron Township, near Shamokin, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. While four to six men were burglarizing Henninger’s stone house, a gunfire exchange took place, and one of the robbers was killed. Four men were later captured and put on trial in Sunbury in March, 1876. All four were found guilty and sent to prison. Another man, who testified against the burglars, was believed to have been involved but was never charged.
Follow the story as reported by newspapers of the time.
Featured photo (above) is of the Henninger stone house as it appeared in 1975. From the Sunbury Daily Item, September 12, 1975.
From the Sunbury Gazette, February 4, 1876 (from the Shamokin Times of Saturday morning last):
Arrest of and Partial Confession of Gilbert Reitz – Three More Arrests Made on His Evidence
On Friday last was an exciting day at Shamokin and Sunbury on account of the arrest of the robbers connected with the Cameron Township robbery. We copy the following from the Shamokin Times of Saturday morning last:
Gilbert Reitz Gives Himself Up – Two Others Arrested – Reitz Identifies Them.
Gilbert Reitz, the man who is supposed to know all about the Mahanoy robbery and who fled so suddenly, is at last in durance vile. It will be remembered that his father took him to Zerfing’s Mill, near Sunbury, after which it was not known where he went. It seems he wandered up into New York State and finally arrived at a place called Casasteo, in Steuben County, on the Rrie railroad. He had no peace of mind in his wanderings and therefore decided to surrender himself to the authorities. He found a policeman of the Erie Railroad, named E. C. Simpson and to him Reitz gave himself up on Tuesday. Simpson telegraphed the fact to Shamokin and Capt. Thomas Alderson of the Coal and Iron Police went after Reitz and brought him to Shamokin yesterday at noon. Through information that was given by Reitz two other arrests were made before Gilbert arrived in Shamokin. The two men are Philip Delaney and Michael Healy. The latter was arrested the day after the robbery but was liberated at the hearing as there seemed to be no conclusive evidence against him. He lives in part of the same house in which Hughes lived.
Delaney and Healy were arrested yesterday morning and were held until Reitz arrived in the 11:40 train. When Reitz was taken before Justice Heim, he at once identified Healy and Delaney as two of the men who were implicated in the robbery. He stated that in conversation with Delaney after the robbery the latter had threatened him with death if he told on them.
During the examination Reitz was exceedingly nervous but he seemed to be glad that he had surrendered himself and was in the hands of the officers.
When ‘Squire Heim announced that he would hold each of the three men in $5,000 bail, Reitz replied that he wanted to go to jail and wouldn’t offer to give bail if it wasn’t more than five cents.” He said he didn’t want to be out, Healy wanted to ask Gilbert a question but he said he had nothing more to tell just now unless the officers required him to do so; he would tell all he knew at the proper time.
The prisoners were given their dinner in the ‘Squire’s office and were taken to Sunbury at three o’clock. when Reitz had finished his dinner he had an affecting interview with his brother-in-law. Both men shed tears freely. Reitz remarked in our hearing that the way the affair “turned out” was all for the best he presumed” and then he brightened up again and attempted to be as cheerful as possible.
An immense crowd had gathered around the ‘Squire’s office during the hearing but a good force of officers were on duty to preserve order.
All the facts connected with the robbery are in very good shape and when the trial of these men takes place there will be no doubt some astonishing revelations.
Later – Another Arrest
George Levans, a boarder at Healy’s, was arrested yesterday about two o’clock and was identified by Henninger, the farmer, as the man who was at Henninger’s house the day before the robbery and pretended that he wanted to buy hay. Levens was also seen crossing the mountain on the evening of the robbery and had a gun with him. ‘Squire Heim demanded the same bail from Levens as from the others and as he could not furnish the security he was sent to Sunbury with Reitz and the others.
The man Kelly who was arrested in Carbon County on Thursday on suspicion of being one of the Mahanoy robbers, was released, there being no evidence to hold him.
Further Particulars
The Sunbury Daily of Saturday last contains the following further particulars:
Friday afternoon, Constables Alderson and Rehrer of Shamokin, brought Gilbert Reitz, Michael Haley, Philip Delaney and George Levens, four of the Cameron Township burglars to Sunbury, where they were locked up in jail.
A few days ago Reitz, who is supposed to be the ringleader of the gang, applied for work in Canisteo, Steuben County, New York, but was refused, whereupon he remarked that he might as well go to the penitentiary and gave himself up to the authorities, telling them who and what he was. They immediately telegraphed to Shamokin and Constable Alderson was sent after Reitz. On their way down, Gilbert told the officer who three of the other parties were, and Alderson telegraphed home to keep a lookout for them. Friday morning Constable Rehrer arrested Healy, Delaney and Levans, and when Alderson arrived in Shamokin with his prisoner, on the noon train from Sunbury, the other three were in ‘Squire Heim’s office ready to receive him. After a hearing, in default of $5,000 bail each they were committed.
Excitement at Shamokin
Around the ‘squire’s office and depot in Shamokin, hundreds of persons had congregated, and it was with difficulty that the officers could get through with the prisoners. At the depot here they were met by several hundred persons who escorted them to the jail, all anxious to see the parties. The officers say they had no trouble whatever with the men. Reitz was the only one of the four who was not handcuffed.
While coming down in the cars, after passing Snydertown, the brakeman announced that the next station was Sunbury, at which Reitz remarked, “and the next is Philadelphia.” [location of Eastern State Prison]. Perhaps that will be the next station of any importance for him.
None of the money has been recovered. Reitz either does not know or will not tell where it is concealed.
Thus far five of the gang of seven are in jail, the sixth was killed and the seventh wounded. The officers know who he is but they have been unable to get hold of him.
Reitz’s Confession
Reitz says that he left Zerfing’s Mill about six p. m. on the day that he came with his father as far as that place; then he came to this place [Shamokin] and took the seven o’clock train for Williamsport, where he staid all night; next morning walking to Montoursville, where he took the cars for Hughesville; staid all night again at Hughesville, and the day following, walked to Laporte, Sullivan County. From there he went to Dunshore, in the same county. Here his funds became exhausted and he borrowed twelve dollars from an acquaintance named John Utts. From there he took the cars for Towanda, and from thence to Niagara Falls, and passed over into Canada, going to a place called Hamilton. He said he had no rest, and returned to the American side, and on Wednesday arrived at Canisteo. He says he was not at the robbery at Henninger’s, “but that he knew something of the kind was to be done somewhere in the valley;” that he had nothing further to do with the robbery than informing Healy and Delaney some particulars as to the circumstances of the Dillmans and Henninger, and this he did only after being questioned. He said these two men told him they would make a raid on the house and if he would go along they would share the spoils with him, but that he refused with dignity. This, in brief, is his story, let it be worth what it may.
Fear at the Jail
He expressed great fear, at the jail, lest the sheriff would put him in the same cell with four others, as he stood in mortal dread of them. In this he was accommodated and put in a separate apartment. Coroner Taylor was as anxious that this should be done as the prisoner, as the latter is the main witness that the prosecution will rely upon to convict the others, and it is desirable to preserve him from bodily harm until court, therefore, the suspicion indulged in and the precaution taken is justifiable But if this programme is carried out, Reitz may escape punishment, as whatever testimony he may give against the other men cannot be used in a prosecution against him, although it may criminate him.
Reitz is very restless and his mind appears to wander, and he expressed fear that he would become insane. He apparently is deeply penitent, whether he tells the whole truth of course cannot now be known. One thing is certain, in giving himself up he showed that he is not a very hardened criminal. He is not a rugged, hearty man, but looks thin, jaded and careworn.
A Prisoner in High Glee
When the four arrived at the jail, Farrell, the one who had been arrested at Pottsville, was in high glee, and danced and shouted around because he had “plenty of company,” but, of course being careful all the while being careful not to say anything that would criminate him or the newcomers. No recognition passed between them, and Delaney and Healy even said they did not know him, but the latter was at the jail last Sunday to see Farrell, and when he was refused handed some tobacco to Mr. Strine to give him, showing that he is not telling the truth now. All the prisoners connected with this affair are hobbled except Reitz.
Coroner Taylor has displayed commendable activity in brining these men to justice. He went as far as Williamsport to meet Alderson and Reitz on their way to Sunbury.
To be continued….
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Articles from Newspapers.com.
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