The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-11-04
REEDDARK.
Averse to APP
prehensiOn.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Asks for Searching Investi-
cation.

trace of the much-sought-for, extern
sively advertised prince of confidence
men, John Reed, with possibly one ex-
ception, report from the town of Up
ton, which if, authentic, points to the
fact that the confidence man spent
Tuesday night in that village.
Tuesday night a stranger, whose fea-
lures resemble strongly those shown
in pictures Of the bunco man, applied
for lodgings at the home of George
Stoddard, well-known resident of Up
ton. The applicant said he was a
stranger and had been advised to apply
to Mr.. Stoddard for lodging. He was
given a room, but when called in the
morning, had disappeared. In looking
over the newspapers, Mr.. Stoddard saw
a likeness of Reed, and says the
stranger who slept at his house Tues
day night resembled the cut to g. re-
markable degree and he is inclined to
think the stranger and John Reed are
Identical. The likeness, coupled with
the individual leaving the house in
such mysterious manner when most
people are asleep, is suspicious cir
cumstance and one that will bear in
vestigation.
There were no new DEVELOPMENTS in
the case yesterday outside OF the ex-
preston Of his view of the case by Dis
trict Attorney Herbert Parker.
General Benjamin s. Bridges, warden
Of the state prison, now comes in for
criticism for permitting and authoriz-
ing Officer Abbott to take John Reed
to private hotel at the request OF
counsel for the convict. Words 10 this
effect were uttered yesterday from an
official source, and 1t was further re-
marked that the origin of the whole
trouble which Officer Abbott is bearing
lay with the warden himself, from the
course which he pursued in allowing
his officer to execute the wish of coun-
sci. This course, as remarked, simply
invited escape. When seen yesterday in
regard to the matter, District Attorney
Parker after pointing out where the
responsibility of the whole affair rest
ed, added further that he had written
to the state prison commission esr-
sonal letter asking that a rigid and
impartial investigation be made into
the escape Of Reed, and into the con-
duct of the officers having the prisoner
in charge, from the head Of the prison
down to the officer from whom Reed
made his escape. District Attorney
Parker stated in the letter that the cir
cumstances surrounding the escape re
quired that a most careful and thor
our scrutiny be made. In his opinion
Reed escaped through carefully plann-
ed and executed plot. According to al
existing arrangement a gang of Reeds
i friends were In this city. They were sc
/ stationed and picketed that Reeds es-
cape could be facilitated in every way
and further, all plans embraced this
idea of physical violence If Officer Alb
bott should protect his prisoner. How
ever, Abbott's neglect made the escape
easier, and rendered unnecessary any
violent proceeding. Mr. Parker firmly
believes that the investigation should
be of the most searching nature, and
that all officials from the warden OF
the state prison to the officer in charge,
all who were in any way brought In
connection with Reeds departure for
Worcester, and who were responsible
for him while he was here, should come
into the investigation.
The local police are hardly willing
to accept Mr.. Parkers theory as q
whole They say it seems hardly rea-
sonable to suppose that Reeds friends
were In the city, prepared to assist
him in his escape. 1t would have been
necessary for him to have gone out of
his way and enter the diningroom at
the Sherwood House. which was done,
to secure the landlords overcoat.
Had his friends been in waiting, it is
more than likely that they would have
been provided with all necessaries for
the welfare Of their friends, SO far as
wearing apparel and other Articles to
change his appearance go.
Deputy Warden Alien, in his report
to Warden Bridges, after the il1vestiga-
ton in Worcester, expresses a BELIEF
that the escape was prearranged, and
the minute Reed left the hotel, he re-
ceived outside assistance. His opinion
comedies with that of the warden, in
that Abbott was not in the plan to
allow the prisoner to escape, but that
he placed too much confidence in his
charge.
AS far as can be learned, the prison
commissioners have set no date for a
hearing in the case CT officer Abbott,
and probably no date will be set until
after the warden sends in his report.
Local interest in the case is subsid-
ing, but strange as it may seem, a ma
jority OF people express joy that Reed
made his escape. One well-known cit
izen is quoted as saying: IF Reed had
come to my house the night he escaped
and asked me to help him, would have
hitched up my team and driven him
out of the city. The mem who suffered
from Reeds clever business were every
that they were doing clever piece of
work in buncoing stranger, but sad
to say they held the other end Of the
stick
Another reason why interest in this
case dies out so quickly is that there
were no sensational features. Every
thing passed off quietly and major
ity of people were unaware that such
a thing had happened until they read
y, cax
Chief brennan recalls the escape Of
Charles Brockway, q noted counter
feiter, who was arrested at the juno
ton in the winter Of 1864. The man
was a. much wanted individual, and the
local police congratulated themselves
on making a clever catch. Their JOY
was short lived, however, as the pris-
oner made good his escape in broad
daylight and in a way that places the
Reed case far in the shade.
Brockway was locked up in the old
station house under the city hall and
the room was secured by a heavy Old
fashioned lock- which was screwed on
the outside of the door. AT dinner time
his food was brought and placed IN
side the cell, but no sooner was the
keeper out OF sight than food was for
gotten and the prisoner began remov-
ing the screws from the lock by stretch
ing his hand out through the bars and
using the knife as screw driver. AS
s.stant City Marshal John Dana was
the only officer on duty in the station
at the time, and as chance would have
was at the further end of the build
ing. When everything became quiet
Rrockway forced the door open and
made rush for the south entrance
to the police station. The door was
IL ,ked, but the upper panel, which was
OF glass, offered slight opposition to
the prisoner Selling a broom that lay
nearby, he smashed out the glass and
made his way through the opening.
r, 10 10 I.r 49,