CAPTURE OF PLUMMER.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2901, 19 August 1872, Page 3

CAPTURE OF PLUMMER.

The Daily Times of the 14th contains a report of the circumstances under which this prison-breaker was arrested, from which we extract the following :—With regard to the arrest —Detective Farrell, on proceeding down George 6treet last night at about 9.30, in company with Constable Bain (the Town Belt Ranger), noticed a respectably-dressed, low-sized, clean-shaved man staudiug on the kerbstone near the Royal George stables, and who was attentively watchiug the movements of the people in the bar of the Sussex Hotel, ou the other side of the street. They walked on a little in advance of him. Farrell remarked "That's Plummer," and Bain replied "No, but he is ' good ' for the till robberies." On seeing himself observed he crossed the road, in the direction of Morell's bakery. Farrell walked across after him, and before he noticed that he was being followed, seized him by the back of the coat and the right wrist, and looking towards the Rainbow, said, " I want you to come into this hotel here to have a look at you." Plummer, for so he proved to be, answered, " I won't go in here, I will go to the next house ;" but Detective Farrell said. "No ; you must come iv here." He was taken intu the Rainbow Hotel, resisting and holding on the jamb of the door ; but the affair was managed so promptly aud quietly that no crowd collected. Inside of the hotel, Detective Farrell still retained his hold of him by the right wrist and the back of the coat, while Constable Bain searched him. He denied he was Plummer, but Farrell, on seeing his coat, vest, and shirt unbuttoned, knew the under-flannel to be, by its make, a prisoner's one. A number of articles enumerated below were taken from him on his being searched. Plummer maintained he was a respectable citizen, and said his name was F. G. Halton. Tn proof of his statement ho appealed, not to the citizens roll, but to tlie fact that he had a receipt for rent upon him ; and sure enough, among the varied assortment stowed away about him, the following document, written in a blurred and almost illegible scrawl was found upon him ; —" Received from Mr F. G. Halton, twenty shillings, in advance of rent of cottage in Queen street. P. Thompson." To which was added the postscript—"Cottage taken from 19th August, 1872, rent to be &2 per month, for six months. P.T." Plummer said he would make it a caution to him (Farrell) for so using and detaining a respectable man; but Farrell replied, "If I met you a hundred miles up country, I would bring you to Mr Caldwell." " Where are you taking mc to'/" said Plummer. " Straight to her Majesty's gaol," responded Farrell. He denied on the way that he was the man wanted, and threatened actions for wrongful arrest. The Warder at the gate recognised his ward in disguise, and so did Mr Caidwcll when he was brought before him. Plummer, once inside the gaol walls, saw that his game was up, at least for that time, and took matters in the most unconcerned way. He was stripped completely of the clothes he was wearing, dressed iv prison costume, and locked up in a cell for the night. He remarked to detective Farrell, " I have not seen you before, but I know you." FarreU said it was the same with him.