The Portland daily press., 1892-12-21
IRVING, THE BURGLAR.
It Is Thought He Will Recover From
His Injuries.
Some of the Mans Antecedents in Port
land-He Is Supposed to Have Com
mitted Two Other Burglaries-A Purse

mitted Two Other Burglaries-A Purse
Will Be Collected for Officer Firth
Irving, the burglar who was shot by Ohcer
Firth yesterday, was fairly comfortable az the
hospital last evening. DR.. Gordon proped the
wound early yesterday morning and found that
the man had good chances for recovery. lie
remains at the hospital, with an Off Ger con-
stantly on guard over him until he shall be wei
enough to be put in a cell in confinement. he
was unwilling to talk yesterday as, the EFFORT
gave him pain, and furthermore it was unad-
visable for him to do so.
Deputy Marshal McCalum went to Irving's
room at the Chadwick house, esterday, and
took to the station a good trunk filled with
clothing and handsome Gladstone sole leather
bag. Among his effects were very handsome,
silver mounted smoking set smoking cap OF
velvet handsomely embroidered with gold BRAID,
and quantity of good clothes. There were
two essays whether in his writing or not could
not to be told), one on ga Plea for Popular
Sonnet Form and the other "A Study in Bed
bugs besides number of magazines and
map OF towns about Boston.
1t seems to be quite certain that Irving is
the burglar who broke into the West End Cloth
ing Store, kept by Mr.. Nash, a few nights ago,
for quantity of the clothing was recognized as
having been taken at that burglary. There was
a chisel found in the room that fitted dent in
window in the store.
1t is also expected to be proved that Irving
committed the break at the Willard post Office
Saturday night.
About two weeks ago man began to make
himself more or less at home at J. H. HamePs
drug store, on the corner of Elm and Congress
streets. He was particularly friendly with Mr..
Bert Merrill, Mr. HameFs clerk. One day he
asked Merrill where he could go to buy good
revolver. He said thai he did not have any use
FOR one but that friend of his was going where
it might be handy to have one. He afterwards
said that he had been to one of the places to
which he had been sent, but without result
Irving used to spend good deal of time with
Merrill and was also in the habit of spending
considerable money. He said that he was out
of work just now but that when he first came
here he worked few days for MEGA Island
Only few days ago he asked Merrill to buy
some postage stamps. He said that he had
quite a number of 10 cent stamps and others OF
large denomination, and that h. had been to
the post office and exchanged them for ones and
twos and now he wanted to sell them and turn
them into money, Merrill bought 80 twos and
40 ones. Probably these stamps came from the
Willard office.
In Irving's room was also found a package OF
business cards bearing the name of McCaus-
land, the Congress street sewing machine dealer.
Upon inquiry at Nee islands place, 1t was
learned that about two weeks ago man giving
the name of c. J. Ford, Boston, called and want
ed a Job to sell sewing machines. He was taken
on trial and in day or two introduced Fred
Irving as his friend. He too was employed by
Mr.. McCausland Both men were rather poorly
dressed A few days lat they both appeared
in brand new and stylish suits of clothes. Mr..
McCausland had paid them no money. He
thought their actions queer but said nothing,
not observing anything wrong about them.
Ford was paid some money later and imme-
diately disappeared, while Irving stayed. 1t
appears that Irving made use of his employment
as a sewing machine agent to take observations
of the houses he visited, for In his room was
found lengthy list OF leading citizens. with
memorandum against each name, telling how
the windows of their houses are situated.
Boarders at the Chase and Chadwick houses
say that Irving was an eccentric sort of a man.
He always sat by himself, and never appeared
to like to have anybody pay any attention to
him. He always wore gold-bowed spectacles
about the house and it was noticed that he
passed great deal of his time In the day time
in sleep. He was known there as ''the dude
and manicured his nails carefully and dressed
foppishly.
Yesterday Mr.. Coombs found In his yard an
iron chisel about fifteen inches long and two
inches in width One Of the front windows of
the house was raised about an eighth of an
inch.
Mr.. Firth was comfortable yesterday at home.
The doctor told him to keep quiet for few
days. He had narrow escape. The bullet
left a confusion on his abdomen as big as a
mans thumb.
Last night Officer Flaherty, who had relieved
Officer Skillings as guard over Irving, was re-
lieved at 70 o'clock by Officer Williams. Irving
was reported somewhat feverish from his
wound in the lung.
letter from Mr.. Coombs, making substantial
acknowledgment of Mr.. Frith's bravery, is
printed elsewhere. Yesterday, Mayor Ingra-
ham received from Mr.. B. f. Harris, for Mr..
Firth, a letter containing check for $40 Mr..
Firth will also be made the recipient of testi-
monial from many Portland citizens
The revolver with which Officer Firth shot
Irving is weapon with a history. Portland
|
| housebreaker named Moore was discovered one
| day, at about noon plying his trade, and how
| he held at bay crowd by waving his revolver
| in their faces Police officer Hughes had al
ready exchanged several shots with
Moore Mr.. Firth lived near
by and heard these shots. He rushed
into the street, not stopping for club or pistol,
and pursued the burglar. 1t was not Moore's
fault that he did not kill the courageous officer.
| He raised his pistol and its muzzle was within
an inch or two of Fritlls breast when the trig-
ger was pulled, But the revolver hung fire and
the lock snapped without discharging the cart
ridge. Quick as fash. before his adversary
could attempt again to fire, Frith's right arm
shot out and the desperate in front of him
measured his length in the street. 1t was
close call but Mr.. Moore is now resident of
Themaston and will stay there for many years
| to come. Moore's pistol has since been Mr..
Frith's close companion and it did not hang fire
when called into service on Monday night.
Portland policemen do not have many en-
counters with pistol bullets. Some years ago,