Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-03-22

VERGENNEs. For some time past the citi-
zens of vergsnnes have suffered from the
depredstions of thieves, and although
strong suspicious have rested upon certain
parties, evidence sufficient to convict them
seemed to be out OF the reach OF the author
tiles. Butler L. Robbins, youth of IA.
small in stature but evidently old in sin,
has been one OF the suspected parties. A
while since be was employed at the Stevens
House, in this city, and while here silver
napkin ring was missed A short time
after one of the servants missed S45, which
had been left in trunk in her room.
Other things were missed and finally young
Robbins was discharged. lie was employed
as Office boy By Dr. E. D. Woodbridge. and
had key to the Office Soon the doctor
found himst il minus a very valuable case
of SURG icsl Instruments, some OF which
were composed of solid silver DR.. Wood
bridge became pretty well satisfied where
he had marketed his instruments and dis
charged the boy. Parties in going down
to the lake fishing have come back without
their fishing tackle, etc. On last thursday
evening Miss Nellie Richards attended
rehearsal at the school house hail and lett
her CLOAK on q seat IN the room Young
Robbins was there and sat down in the seat
during the evening. Upon Miss Richards
naie was stolen, containing some S. in
bills and silver and some cards, bills etc.
Her name was printed in glli lltters on the
outside aud. Of course, 10 case OF loss,
would readily Indicate the owner. Nelson
Richards 1.-THE father of Miss Richards)
placed the matter in the hands Of Constable
Geo. + Z. Kimball, who soon fund where
the money had been spent in purchasing a
seven shooter with cartridges OF Colonel
Henderson, and pair OF Roots at the store
Of Mr.. Bristol. On Monday. Sheriff Kim
ball took the train and at Ferrisb1rgh Cen
ter arrested the Young man. just as he en-
tered the train with ticket 10 North Fer
risburgh. On Tuesday Afternoon the trial
was held before Z. A. Booth, Eq. Col. j.
Ii. Lucia conducted the prosecution and
NJ. ID. Hall the defence. Ono OF the wit
nesses, a comrsde of the prisoner, named
McCray testified that young Robbins owned
to him that he stole the money at the he'll
and had secreted the wallet In the privy
vault at his home. This statement the
prisoner with the greatest cooness and
audscity pronounced lie. Detective
b. Ii. London, who was in the court room
after hearing this testimony Immediately
lsft the room and secured the services of
couple young men and proceeded to search
the prIvy vault. where they soon discovered
the missing wallet. Returning to the
court room, where the prisoner was then
testifying in confident manner. the wal
let was placed in the hands of the
pro scouting officer who confronted him
with this proof of his guilt. lie
was Disconnected somewhat but soon recov-
cred his GOODNESS and asserted his innocence
and gave evidence Of a hardened nature
which would hardly be looked Tor in one 50
young lie WAS sentenced to the Reform
School for the remainder OF his minority.
As he passed out of the court room with the
officer be remarked to the witness MeCray,
that he had gone back on him." and he
would pay him for it it he had to take his
life. Much sympathy is felt for his poor
mother, who Is widow with several chill
dren and hard working Christian woman,
who has tried to keep her son in the right
company but he would not listen to her
advice.
The tramp account of the city of Yer
gennes for the year 1877 is $40 in number,
led at a cost of $l92 AZ poor account,
$l.7OO: liquor profit, $2i7; salary of liquor
agent. $500: police account, S57 As; hre
department, Sl53 AZ; street lamps. S2sS rs;
water rents collected for zoe past year,
So 900: amount of indebtedness to be pro-
yided tor. about 81 900.