The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-06-26
ALady's Trunk Opened BY officers.

Last Sunday morning Miss Martha
Brigham, from Autun, came to Anderson
on the Blue Ridge train, and stopped over
here until o'clock, when she left on the
Greenville train. Her trunk, which had
her name plainly marked on it, was
checked to this place. After her arrival
she went off to spend the few hours with
some acquaintances, and the trunk was
placed in the baggage room with the check
still on it. An hour later State Constable
Massey, accompanied by Officers Rose
and Dillingham;, made their appearance at
the depot. About the same time Rebecca
Groves, the stewardess of the waiting
rooms, came to the depot and opened the
baggage room to deliver trunk (Which
belonged to resident of the city, to George
aforementioned entered the baggage room,
seized the trunk with Miss Brigman's
name on 1t, carried it outside and Consta-
BILE Massey opened it.
There were numt sr Of persons around
the depot who saw what the officers did,
and the affair was soon the talk of the
town, and considerable indignation was
expressed by everybody. Various reports
of the seizure and conduct Of the officers
were current, and, in order to get correct
statement OF the facts, we approached
Chief of Police Rose and asked him to give
us a statement about 1t He said that
Officer Dillingham; as at the depot when
the Blue Ridge train arrived, and saw the
trunk when it was placed in the baggage
room. Knowing, he said, that whiskey
was being shipped to Anderson in trunks,
and, after diligent inquiry, not finding
anybody who knew OF any person who
bore the pame which was on the trunk, be
notified Constable Massey and they, with
Officer Dillingham;. went to the depot.
Neither OF the Railroad agents were there,
be eaid, and he concluded to wait and see
Caldwell. he said, handed him key which
he found on the ground. Directly the
stewnrdess came and opened the baggage
room to deliver trunk to George Cald.
we'll. He turned the key which had been
placed in his hand over to Mr.. Massey,
and they entered the room, took the trunk
out and the latter unlocked 1t. They saw
at once that the trunk contained female
/ clothing, and, without moving thing, re.
locked it and placed it back in the baggage
room. Constable Massey and Officer Dill
lingham corroborated the above statement.
Rebecca Groves, the stewardess, was
asked about the matter, and she says when
the officers entered the baggage room and
told her what they wanted, she protested
against them taking the trunk out and
asked them to wait until she could send
for Mr.. Johnson or Mr.. Thornton, the
agents. This they refused to do, and Con-
stable Massey, she says asked her for
chisel or sorewdriyer. She told them
that she had neither, and says Mr.. Massey
went off and In few minutes returned
with chisel, which he used In prizing
the trunk open. She says they searched
through the trunk to the bottom and found
nothing but the lady's clothing.
Agent Thornton says the trunk was not
locke when he wept to examine 1t after
be had besn told that 1t had been opened.
He says there were other witnesses stand
ing around who corroborate the statement
made By the stewsrdess.
Before the departure Of the 3 O'clock
train the lady called for the trunk and
had 1t checked to Greenvil!e. Mr. Thorn
ton informed her what had happened and
she was 80 mort; flsd that tears flowed from
her eyes.
The affair has been reported to the rail-
read officials, and it Is not YET known what
will be the result.
1t is the general opinion that the officers
acted too hastily, and it ia to be hoped that
this experience will cause them in future
to exercise little more discretion In such
casea