Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-03-26
Is AN Old OFFENDER.
ANoonshiner Blair Had Been a Prom
inent Factor In Boston Politics.
Figured In a Recent Sensa.
ti0nal Election Row.
Extreme Boldnsss Accounts For His Suo.
H.. cess In tho Criminal World.

BOSTON, March 26-Albert II. Abbott,
known by many other names as well,
according to The Herald, seems to be a
sort of an 1896 edition OF DIR. Jekyll and
Mr.. Hyde.
In addition to the traits already de-
pcribed, he seems to have been something
OF politician, and in the famous ward IL
contested election cases he was u promi-
nent figure. His prominence was that OF
one who was recognized as a powerful
worker when 1t came to q matter OF get
Sing votes.
Before retiring to the state prison In
1850 he had been bookkeeper, cigar
dealer, and an insurance swindler OF the
most approved sort. While in the prison
he
"saw tho Error OF His Ways"
20 quote from one of his letters, and when
ke came out IL was with the avowed pur-
pose of leading better life.
Judging from his political record, he
could have been out Of limbo but short
time when he entered politics in the South
END ward, and Immediately became
9aotor. In the famous contested case he
was charged with introducing negro voters
An blocks Of 100, and when the hearing on
this case was called he found Ii conve-
nient to lose his address for short time.
For that reason he did not appear before
the committee Of inquiry.
When the arrest OF William III. Blair
wns announced and the story of his
'moonshine" still on Eastern avenue
was told, many Of the residents Of that
end of the city who are well acquainted
with Abbott saw the article. but not
for moment did they connect the iden-
tity of the man, and Blair managed to
avoid having his picture taken for the
Togues gallery, SO that no photograph Of
him was published.
Desired to "Reform."
Fire Marshal Whitcomb was greatly
surprised when he learned that his old
friend, Lake" the insurance swindler
had come before the public again, this
time as '.moonshiner."
II thought that fellow had left his
crooked ways" he said. "While he was
IN prison received several letters, in all
OF which he expressed sorrow for his past
sareer.
"After he was discharged from prison
Abbott used to call on me occasionally,
and never failed to assure me that he had
reformed. i believed his statement, be-
cause the man acted in apparent sincerity.
"Why, met him on the street about
three weeks ago. after the time of his ar
rest on this government charge, but l
knew nothing of his identity as Blair, and
no thought Of such thing ever entered
my head.
IL am not at all surprised at his bold
mess In locating his Illicit still in such
busy section of the city. That is entirely
in keeping with the character of the man.
Hb Wonderful "Nerve"
'.The frst day that he arrived in Bos-
ton, as no was walking up from the
Albany depot. he saw the number 16
Tyler street, and without even going
70 the house, within 10 minutes after
his arrival in Boston he had taken out
. policy for $500 on goods which he
claimed he had at that address, although
he had never spoken to soul in the place.
It's his very boldness that has made him
30 successful. I'm sorry that he has
slipped again."