New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-02-17
DETECTIVE PRICES DEVICE.
CLEVER ARREST OF AN INCENDIARY.
THE MAN WHO BURNED MRS. HoPKTNss BARN CAP
TI-RFD IN SrW-YORK

Henry Y. Leavitt. well-anOwn broker
of New-York has country seat at Great
harrington, MISS. On the place was large
seven story building in which was a
saw and planning mill and which used
as a general storehouse for tho farm and as
barn. The building with its contents was valued
at Sl20,o00. On tho night OF July z, 1885,
the building canght fire in some mysterious way
and was completely destroyed. Mr. Leavitt employed
Pnkerton's detective agency and every possible effort
was made to discover the incendiary, but
they were all unavang Among Mr. Leavitts
friends is Detective James X. Price, Of Captain
Wililamss command. He spoke to Price about
the fire, and In September 1855, when Price took his
vacation he spent the time at Great harrington.
After making a careful investigation he to
he conclusion that the job had been done
by some person who thoroughly familiar with the
place ana who had some grudee against
Mr.. Leavitt Further inquiry developed the
fact that two men had been discharged
from Mr.. Lcavitts employ shortly before the
fire. Ono OF them traced to New Canaan,
Conn, where he was at work farm. His
record was clear and no suspicion could attach
TO him. Tho other farm la
borer, Michael OConnell who was discharged
just two weeks before the fire. He had secured employ
ment as q hod-carrer on a new building course
OF erection for Mrs. Mark Hopkins the
widow Of the California millionaire. In the latter part
OF July no became involved IN dispute with DR.. Crane
nc uToW pistol
and attempted to shoot Mr. Crane The latter to
Deputy Sheriff Edwin d. Humphreys and asked
him to arrest OCOnnell. When the Deputy Sheriff
accompanied by two special deputies went to O'Con-
nells house. they found the door barricaded
and were put to flight by fusIlade
Of pistol bullets from OF the
upper windows They retreated and O'Connel made
some time Detective Price made up his
mind that O'Connell was the man for
whom he must look. This belief was rendered a pract-
cal certainty when received carly In January
that Mrs Hopkinss barn. ued at 0OO had been set
on fire by an ncendary and totally destroyed. All
Of Prices efforts to trace oConnell, however, were
fccOiyed word that he wa. living somewhere iNrs
vigor and at last placed his man" On the
ground that he was looking for valuable dog which he
man named O'C9nnor In that neigh6orhood. Price be
h%ss % being na sraSy SwYOra
OConnelis CO ddencc INV
Being called away to watertown on case
Inform oConnel from Utica that he had FOUND tho
dog and ask him to meet him at his quorstore, TSen
Pes had "n hired couple Of !nG Too%s
house in seventh,avc The smaller room was con,
removed aud IFS place hidden by curtain. When he
met oConue at the iquorstore he paid him for his
vices In hunting the supposed dog and said to him that
he knew place where some valuable puppies could bo
had Tor the taxing aud that IL ne could nd the
person aid him he would do the He further snd
that he had grndse against the owner OF the |
too al the same time 0'conne bit at once ana offered
to go into the job. but Price fought shy" ac |
count 40 ho said OF OConnels ineIperience In sucn
But I've had experience" said o'COnnen eager for
know Just how 20 do the work"
" Is that SO r. asked the detective How did you |
o'Connell then told tho whole story of his crplos
=, Price affected to DO under the influence OF
up to his rooms tho next day and
they would arrange the lob. When ocOnnel visited |
.s and SaSG In aoa '9G i was an
room Price OConnell and young man who. Price
said. was 10 aid In the job. Tho young man spoke OF
conversation and induced oConnell go the whole
story Every word was taken down by the stenog-
-apicr 1t was arranged that the matter in which
Price was Interested should be attended to last
night To make assurance donby certain. Duputy
sheriff Humphreys, OF berkshire County. Mass, was
elcgraphed for and arrived here yesterday morning
Another conference between Price. oConnell
'rce's room with Mcssrs. Humphrey and
n the small room. Again the story told in de-
,o,ed TO be back OF Fort Lee, N. j. Prico had
Monday When they reached Thirteth.st. u" and nd
eventh.ave Price Left them and said that he
rs cdnfrGsrate at rhlry.irsst. and se1enth.ayc
Instead Of that he TO the Thireth Street station
treat OCOnnells Indignation whom the de-
ectiYe slapped him on the shoulder and told him
hat he was under When taken to the station
wo aily-coDstructed bundles about a foot square
composed Of straw aud l,n oaEnm !,n, saturated
we're found In his possession, lie taken into Cap
ain Williams,s room and confronted by Mr.
Humphreys and told that he wanted for
he assault the officers and asked
he would go to Massachusetts without ai requston.
Ie refused 20 at first. while he was talking
Detective Price ushcred into the room.
lerstand that you have "A friend OF mine locked
p here" he said to Captain Williams
Who you, sir :" asked the Captain
My name IL Patterson"
Mr.. Patterson" broke in O'Conncll. they wan. me
d go to Massachusetts for shooting at Il man"
:" Can bail him out" asked Prloel I
=" No. SIR" responded the Captain.
Then ri go Ia Massachusetts, aud bail him"
II yOl'll do that, Mr.. Patterson, III CO." said
IConncll.
Don't you fear, Mike" remarked Price grimly, Il
90 justice done YOU"
O'Connen wifi start for Massachusetts, in OF
Deputy sheriff Humphreys to-day At the station he |
his Jar.es COnnors age thirty, labOrer. |
in Ireland, living at No Az CarrOll.st Brooklyn.
urNi.