Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-11-15
$4,000 IN STOLEN GOODS
Recovered at ROIbury. Mass.,---the
Supposed Thief Now In Prison for
Murder.

Through the arrest Of James 5. Chaff-e Of Rox.
bury. Mass, Monday, the. police recovered prop
erty valued at over S2o0Do, and stock certificates
OF the par value OF 500 O1) alleged 70 have been
stolen by William Barrett, who is now in the
state prison serving a ter n for the murd r. of
Constable Harrington OF Weston Chaffee's ar.
rest was brought about by his attempt 10 sell a
collection Of postage stamps valued at 5000 to a
dealer who Identified the Stamps As those stolen
from Banker kidder. OF KIdder, Peabody & 60
ChAffee said that the stamps and some other prop
erty had been given him 10 return for money ad
vanced and services rendered when Barrett was
on trial. AT CbRffee's rooms were found two
large trunks and boxes, which contained thou
sands OF dollars worth Of oriental ornamental
brio a-brac, sealskins. Gilverware, etc. Chaffee
claimed that he had known Barrett a long time
under the name OF Bassett, and always believed
him TO BE- q horse trainer. He has a written
agreement from Ms. Barrett giving him power
TO dispose OF Barrett's effects.
The case is one OF the most remarkable in the
criminal annals OF the country. Barrett lived for
years Elliot street in Boston, near the police
station and he was never suspected OF crime uu.
I'll he committed murder while trying 10 avoid ar
rest for burglary IN May. 1894. He was supposed
to be a horse dealer. and carried on the business
10 some extent, being thus enabled 10 visit many
towns and 70 make full examinations before com
hitting his jobs.
Enough Of the stolen articles have been identi-
fled to show that Barrett committed - burglarias
within period Of 10 or Is years, and he was IN
doubleday guilty OF many more. AT his home was
found a complete apparatus for reducing gold and
silver 10 solid form, and the dealers OF that city
say they often bought gold and silver bars Of him,
believing his business TO be that OF a silver re-
finer. He had the appearance OF a gentleman and
different houses did thousands Of dollars worth of
business with him during yrars.
The stolen property which has been recovered
includes sealskin sacks, watches and chains sou e
yenir spoons fine silver articles etc
Several of the articles were identified by Mrs.
F. l. Ames as those stolen at the Anes mansion
in North Easton, Mass, in 1881 Al that time a
few small paintings valued at Sl7, 900 were taken
aud iewelry and siverware worth about 5000.
The paintings were returned last year upon pay
ment OF $500. all parties 10 the agreement Of the
return being pledges TO secrecy. IL is now sup
posed that Chaffee received the $500, represent
ing that the paintings were returned through
Barrett and that the $500 was TO be used in his
trial
Barrett's wife lived in New York He always
treated her with consideration and affection, and
she supposed that he was an honest man until his
arrest.
The exact connection between Barrett and
Chaffee is not known. Some believe that Chat
fee was concerned with Barrett in the burglaries
while others think that he simply handled the
stolen goods He claims that the goods were given
TO him by Barrett after the latter was arrested.
Both Chaffee and Barrett are Engiishmen.
Cbaifee is about 40 years old and has been en-
gagged in several occupations. He has always
borne an excellent reputation.