Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-06-20

DfouBoe 70 Justice.
on Thursday last Miss Nellie r R;..,o~
~ augusta daughter Of VIM. H. Bigelow.
ESQ., went to Bangor to assist a friend in
NEWPORT in selecting piano, and after .c.
comprising this errand started for New.
port on Conductor Clements .ccommo-
dation train, which leaves Bangor At I 20 p
N. The afternoon was quite warm and
MISS bigelow laid her cape, a valuable gar
"ent' on the car seat. The only other pas.
seneers In the car were Willis L. Fowler and
we OF WATERFORD Centre, Me-, parties who
nave been canvassing towns along the Maine
central for an engraving entitled. ..Garfeld
from the Cradle to the Grave" Arriving at
ner destination Miss Bigelow left the car.
ana Oh not think of her cloak until the train
had vanished from the depot She immeai-
ateiy teiegraphed to Conductor Clement Mt
fittsfield to have her cloak sent hack to b.r
oy express from that point, and received
reply that the garment wa, not in the car.
Thoroughly convinced that the cloak had
been stolen by Fowler and his wife
Miss Bigelow began to follow nm
the couple by telegraph, and soon learned
'hat' although they had purchased ticket
TOR Waterville, evidently fearing arrest, they
had left the train at Benton and crossed over
the bridge to Fairfield. The next morning
the plucky girl took tile early train from Ban
gor to Fairfield. where she was met at the
station by friend whom she had notified,
DIR. ID. c. Perkins of that town. After dill
gent inquiry she ascertained where the can
vasser and his wife had stopped the night
before, and also learned that they had sent,
by the American Express that morning, bum
die containing dry goods of some description,
directed to Mrs. Mary NJ. Carr, WATERFORD
Centre, Me- By using the telegraph freely,
Miss Bigelow reached Col II. s. Osgood in
Portland, general agent of the American Ex-
press Co. for Maine and New Hampshire, who
kindly (although contrary to the regulations
of his company [took the responsibility ]ofd de-
tanning the bundle in transit, and brought it
to Augusta. Meanwhile the amateur detec-
tives had traced the thieves to Waterville,
where they learned that they had there had
their baggage rechecked to Vassalboro Hir-
ing team at Waterville, Miss Bgelow and
DIR. Perkins drove to Vassalboro, arriving
just as Conductor Jewetts train, going
south, steamed into the depot. Fowler and
his wife were on the platform. When they
saw their pursuers theywere thunderstruck and
Immediately fastened for the cars. con.
stable was at the depot, notified by tele-
graph, and he and Miss Bigelow prevented
the escape of the fugitives, although Fowler
poured a torrent of profanity and abuse upon
the head of the young lady for his detention.
The officer watched the couple at the station,
until the pursuers could drive to North Vas
salboro and procure a warrant for the arrest
of the thieves made returnable to Judge ii. w.
Stewart of Waterville, at two o'clock Satur-
day afternoon. Both Fowler and wife stoutly
protested their innocence, and secured S. S.
Brown of Watervile as their counsel, who
made elaborate preparations for the defence,
Fowler even claiming that he had sent mes
sage to Portland for the return of the bundle
(Which. he said, contained underclothing)
that he might thereby be completely exoner-
ated. +. +. Webb was engaged for the pros
ccution. The hour for the trial arrived, and
there was quite dramatic scene in the court
room when Col II. s. Osgood stepped into the
apartment with the express package. Con-
fronted with this indubitable evidence of his
guilt, Fowler broke completely down, and con-
fessed his crime. He plead guilty to the in
dictment, 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 MS hope, an honester man. His little
escapade must have cost him at least sl25
Miss Bigelow's parents knew nothing Of the
affair until the thieves had been apprehended,
when they we're notified. Throughout the
exciting chase the young lady displayed an
acuteness courage and determination which
few of her sex possess, and she deserves the
highest enconiums for her prompt and decided
/, forts to bring the guilty parties to justice.
Great credit is also due Col. II. s. Osgood
for the efficient aid which he so promptly
rendered, as without his assistance the thieves
could not have been convicted.