The Portland daily press., 1882-03-23
BURGLARY OF A FREIGHT CAR
Princes and SWEETS Expresses Plumber
ed.

1t has been customary when the Portland
Steam Packet Company's boat failed to rum
owing to storms, for Princes and Swetts Ex-
press Companies to send their packages VIA
the Boston & Maine freight train due in Port
land about a. m. Tuesday, owing to the
storm this plan was pursued.
- Yesterday morning about o'clock when me
expressmen went to the car attached 10 inc
Boston & Maine freight which is devoted 70
their use, the first sight which greeted their
eyes was the broken seal on the lock OF the
car. The law, as we understand it, requires
the railroad company to see that the seals on
the car are in perfect condition at every station
at least so we are informed-and therefore as
soon as it was noticed that the seal on this car
was broken it was at once felt that mlscnieI
had been done. When the car was opened
everything was discovered in the greatest con-
fusion. Spools of thread, pieces OF SIX, SUITS
of clothing, hats, collars, shirts, in fact every
thing one could think of, were mixed up
higgledy-piggledy, boxes had been ripped 10
pieces and the large trunk in which Princes
express places its most valuable packages naa
been broken apart by the vigorous use OF an
axe. This axe bore on its handle the name OF
Locke, and is thought to have been one taken
from package of axes left at Dover, N ID.
1t is impossible at present to state what the
amount of loss will be to the railroad company
Yesterday morning Mr.. Prince missed thirty
four packages, that is thirty-four packages
did not correspond to the way-bill but, late IN
the afternoon, all but four, Mr.. Prince stated,
had been fully accounted for. Mr.. SWEET sald
his company had only suffered damage IN TWO
packages and he did not think his loss would
be more than five or ten dollars
Among the six packages lost or damaged was
one directed to William Senter s. Co., the tag
remaining. 1t is probable the burglars were
laying for this package, supposing it would
contain valuable jewelry AS it happened
the package was of not much value. possibly
not over 800, if as much. 1t was the least
valuable one they have received for months.
If the burglars had planned their job Tor a
night a short time ago they might have made
big haul. Among the other losers were l.. ID.
Austin & Co., tailors, who lost coats and
trousers. not matched suits but still nice new
clothes The other packages contained
various kinds of goods. 1t is probable the
railroad company will luckily get out of the
affair at not great expense 1t is thought
the burglar, or burglars, got aboard the car at
Dover, or else were secreted IN the ear at mat
time. In the latter case they must have Sc
creted themselves before the train reached that
CITY as the seal was unbroken then, and the
Dover packages taken from the car by I'M
locking the other door as is usual. 1t was
capital night Tuesday to perfect job OF the
kind owing to the snow-storm. The work is
evidently that of skilled professional, or that
Of some man who has had every opportunity to
know the method of the railroad and express
companies as to the transportation of their
freight. Detectives are at work in the affair