The Portland daily press., 1882-06-21
CHASIN G A CLOAK.
How an Augusta Young Lady Overlook
a. Thieving Couple and Brought
Them to Justice

On Thursday last Miss Nellie F. Bigelow Of
Augusta, daughter of William ii. Bigiow, Esq.
went to Bangor to assist friend in Newport IN
selecting piano, and after accomplishing thl'
erraad started for Newport on Conductor Cle-
ment's accommodation train, which leaves
Bangor st ]. 80 P. NJ. The afternoon was quite
warm, and Miss Bigelow laid her cape, valua
Bile garment on the car seat. The only other
passengers in the car were Willis L. Fowler
and wife of WATERFORD Centre, Me-, parties
who had been canvassing towns along the
Maine Central for an engraving entitled Gar
field from the Cradle to the Grave" Arriving
at her destination Miss Bigelow left the car,
and did not think of the cloak until the train
had vanished from the depot. She immediate
ly telegraphed to Conductor Clement at Fits
field to have her cloak sent back to her by exs
press from that point, and received reply that
the garment was not in the car. Thoroughly
convinced that the cloak had been stolen oy
Fowler and his wife, Miss Bigelow continued
to follow up the couple by telegraph, and soon
learned that, although they had purchased
ticket for Watsryille, evidently fearing arrest,
they had left the train at Benton and crossed
OytE tuo bIiuSO W Il &lhhoAA' LAS AASNS A%Ao~
ing the plucky girl took the early train from
Bangor to Fairfield, where she was met at the
station by a friend whom she had notified, Dr.
D, G. Perkins of that town. After diligent In
curry she ascertainei where the canvasser and
his wife had stopped the night before, and also
learned that they had sent by the American
Express that morning bundle containing dry
goods of some description, directed to Mrs.
Mary NJ Carr, WATERFORD Centre. Me. By us
ing the telegraph freely, Miss Bigelow reached
Col H. S. Osgood in Portland general agent
of the American Express Co. for Maine and
New Hampshire, who kindly lalthough cqnesa-
~ to tho sog uiatfUns of the company took the
responsibility of OBTAINING the bundle in transit
and brought it TO Augusta Meanwhile the
amateur detectives had traced the thieves to
Waterville, where they learned that they had
had their baggage rechecked to Vassalboro.
Hiring team at Watervile, Miss Bigelow and
DIR. Perkins drove to Vassalboro, arriving just
as Conductor Jewett's train, going south,
steamed into the depot. Fowler and his wife
were on the platform. When they saw their
pursuers they were thunderstruck and immedi-
ately fastened for the cars. A constable was
at the depot, notified by telegraph, and he and
Miss Bigelow prevented the escape of the fugi-
tives, although Fowler poured torrent of pro-
family and abuse upon the head of the young
lady for his detention. The officer watched
could drive to North Vassalboro and procure a
warrant for the arrest of the thieves, made re-
turnable to Judge III. W. Steward of Water
vile, at two O'Clock Saturday afternoon. Both
Fowler and wife stoutly protested their inno-
cence, and secured s. s. Brown of Weterville
as their counsel, who made elaborate prepare
tons for the defence, Fowler even claiming
Athat he had sent q message to Portland for the
return of the bundle (which he said contained
underclothing) that he might thereby be COM
pletely exonorated. e. #. Webb was engaged
for the prosecution. The hour for trial arrived
and there was quite dramatic scene in the
court room when Col. HI. S. Osgood stepped
into the apartment with the express package.
Confronted with indubitable evidence of his
guilt, Fowler broke completely down, and con-
fessed his crime. He plead guilty to the indict-
ment, paid fine and costs, paid all expenses
which had been incurred in bringing him to
justice, and left the court room a poorer and
let us hope an honester man. His little escap-
ade must have cost him at least $125.
Miss Bigelow's parents knew nothing of the
affair until the thieves had been apprehended,
when they were notified. Throughout the ex-
citing chase the yonng lady displayed an ACUTE
ness, courage and determination which few of
her sex possess, and she deserves the highest
encomiums for her prompt and decided efforts
to bring the guilty parties to justice. Great
credit is also due Col. FL. s. Osgood for the eff
Gent aid which he SO promptly rendered, as
without his assistance the thieves could not
have been nyicted.-Kennebec Journal.