Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-22
Local News.
EXCITEMENT IN Troy. The Trt


been brought to light which shows
up the depravity of one of her most
'lhublic and wealthiest citizens. II
will be remembered by most of oul
READERS that sometime in the fall
lust passed the barn, hop-house and
sheds belonging to Lot P. d Jon
athan James took fire one night
and were burned to the ground with
Jail their contents, consisting of fouI
thousand pounds of hops, and other
stuff to the value, all told, of some
$4,000, and inasmuch as there had
been no fire in the hop,house for
nearly two days, it was rendered toll
erably certain that it was the work
| of some miserable incendiary. The
suspicious of the James and many
other men in Troy and Westfeld
were fixed upon Carnot Braley as
being the author of the fire, as
there had long existed between him
and the James brothers great ill feel
ing and great vindictiyeness a n d
half threats being thrown out from
time to time on the part of Braley.
To believe Braley to be the incen-
diary was one thing but to prove
bin guilty was another. To bring
the real scoundrel 10 light the James
determined to spare neither pains
nor money. They sent to Philadel-
phia and secured the services of an
experienced detective officer named
Adams, who for some months has
been at Troy and at such other pla-
ces as he thought best calculated to
aid his endeavors. By some means
he got into the good graces of one
Hodgkins, whom he suspected knew
too much of the affairs of Braley, and
might be his tool in other things if
not in the burning of James build
ngs. To make things all nice with
Adams proposed that
hey go "snucks" in smuggling, which
hey did from time to time with en-
nent success, and we presume that
Idams did many things that were
OF very pretty. Things went on
A this way for some time without
Letting anything worthy of mention
i'll about three weeks ago, Adams
to Hodgkins that they go
o Newport, which was agreed to,
,ut about half an hour before they
we're to start Hodgkins came to Ad-
ms and told him that he could not
20 with him, and Adams replied that
lie must go; he must not desert him
now, adding that they were linked
together in such manner in SNUG
CLING, &c, that he must 60. Hodg-
kins still refused, and showed a nerv-
BUSINESS of manner and hesitancy
that induced Adams to press him
'urther, till at last he said ''Braley
,ells me that had better keep away
rom you; he says he believes you
ire a mean scamp, and if | don't
AXE care you will get me into State
Prison" Here was clue to some.
hing, thought Adams, and that some
hing must have connection with
he burned buildings. Here, then,
vas the first chapter of the coming
'evelaticns. Why should Braley
are so much for tn welfare of
Iodgkins unless there was part
Iership in crime between them Tol
UNI the whole matter up Adams for
he past three weeks has kept at
york and wormed the whole facts
ut of Hodgkins which stand thus
'raley hired Hodgkins to burn the
and gave him $500 for do
ng the work. As soon as these
acts were brought out, Hodgkins
nd Braley were Immediately arrest
d. Braley had hi s examination
asst Friday and Saturday, Hodgkins
I course, turning States evidence.
'raley is a man of considerable
leans, but a most splendid scoun-
rel and has not borne very good
anne for many years, if ever. Some {
5 or 30 years ago he lived in Iras-
nrgh, and while there he was charged F,
18th stealing 3 two years old heifers, |
nd mixing them with a drove he was !
liking from Canada. Since his ar
est the James have sued him and /