The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-10
a Burglary on
Elm Street.
$500 IN BOOTY.
F. M. Clark's Residence
Robbed by Professionals.

The residence of F. M. Clark, 20 Elm
street, was ransacked by burglars early
last evening and valuables to the value
Of about $500 taken. Entrance was
gained by forcing rear window with
Jimmy Nothing that promised to
yield anything in the shape of valu-
ables was overlooked. Bureau drawers
were emptjed of their contents, closets
ransacked. trunks pried open, and pri-
vate papers, letters and articles OF
clothing were thrown about in the
widest confusion, giving the interior OF
the house much the same appearance
as though Kansas cyclone had been
playing tag through the rooms.
Diamonds. watches, jewelry and
money were all that attracted the bur
glars attention. Silver was evidentl,
too heavy, or not in their line, as the
contents of the dining room sideboard
was undisturbed, although there was
unmistakable evidence of the intruders
girls room on the third floor was the
only one in the house that escaped the
notice of the robbers in their investiga-
ton, and right here was where they
slipped up.
A gold watch and q sum of money in
purse were lying in full view on tor
of the bureau in this room, but were
overlooked. Another important item in
the way of jewelry was overlooked in
the search of F. M. Clark, Jr's bureau
diamond stud and a large diamond
pin composed of a number of stones
and gold shirt stud, which were laid
away in a small box a few days ago
were rescued from the debris where
they had been thrown in the hasty
search of the burglars.
An old writing desk, which was kept
in the younger Mr.. Clark's room. was
hauled from its place in closet where
it has reposed for years and carried
down to the dining-room where 1t was
left open on the floor. There was moth
ing of value In the desk, aside from a
collection of old coins, which were not
considered of sufficient value to attract
the attention of the intruders
Mr.. Clark, Sr., found q small trunk
containing his Knight Templars regalia,
forced open, the lock being pIied Off.
An attempt was also made to force a
small writing desk, which is in room
on the second floor Marks whichEo ok
as though made by chisei are pI AMY
discernible along the edge of the lid,
near the lock. The lock wss also brok>
en-.
That the burglars were we'll acquaint-
ed with their work is shown by many
things in connection with the Job
Blinds which were open when the FAM
lily left the house were tightly closed,
and the manner in which the lock was
pried from the window, together with
the subsequent systematic search of
the premises, speaks in the highest
terms of the ability af the thieves.
AS near as can be estimated the work
was done between 6 and o'clock last
evening. Mr.. and Mrs. Clark started for
a drive about o'clock in the after
noon. Both of the sons had gone out
and the servant was away from the
house at the time. Mr.. Clark is of
the opinion that the work was done
by some one who has watched the
house and gained knowledge of the
fact that the house is usually unten-
anted Sunday afternoons.
During the summer months, 1t is the
custom of the father and mother to
go for a drive during the afternoon,
while the young men go to the lake.
The girl is also out every Sunday af-
ternoon and evening. Yesterday, how
ever, F. M. Clark, Jr., Gid not go to
the lake, and came home from down
town about O'Clock The. family had
arranged. to take lunch with Mrs. F. D.
Freeman, Mr. Clarks daughter, and
Mr.. Clark came up with that idea in
view
As he came up Pleasant street he
happened to think of something he
wanted at home, and went to room
on the second floor Of the house with
out noticing anything out of the ordi-
nary, although he is Convinced from
what has TRANSFERRED Stree that the
burglars were in the house at the time
Shortly after Z o'clock, Mr.. Clark, Sr.
and his wife returned. Mr.. Clark's key
refused to work in the lock, and af-
ter making several futile attempts to
unlock the door, 1t was given up and
the couple drove to the home Of their
daughter.
The incident was related at lunch
time and a good laugh INDUCED in al
the expense of Mr.. Clark, as his sor
was sure the lock was all right, he
having unlocked the door only an hour
before. The entire party went to the
house, 20 West street, soon after
o'clock with the avowed intention OF
having laugh at the expense of Mr.
Il.
different aspect in very few minutes
The lock refused to respond and ar
investigation was started. At the rear
a kitchen window was found open and
the condition of affairs inside was soor
realized. The trouble with the door was
found to be in the fact that the night
latch was turned, which prevented any
one from the outside opening the FROM
door.
From this, it is thought the intrudert
were in the house when Mr.. Clarke, Jr.
came in and arrived at the conclusion
that it would be wise idea to secure
themselves against surprise from thi
quarter.
The police were notified and tn,
patrol wagon, with officers Hurley ant
O'Sullivan and Driver Kennedy, hur
ried to the scene, After making thor
ough examination, the officers gave a.
their opinion that the work was dom
by professional.
The list Sf missing articles, as nea
as it could be compiled last night, is
long one, but additions will doubtless
be made when Frank Clark, who wa
away from home, returns and takes al
inventory of his belongings.
The articles taken from tl:A room o
T.. M. Clark, Jr., include heavy gold
link chain, with a Knight Templa
charm, bearing the inscription, IF M
! Clark. Jr.. Worcester Co. Comry," en-
graved on the edges; an open-face sill
! yer Elgin y watch, crystal cracked
about $50 in So and 81 bills, most o
them new, and including a 81 bill on tn
First National Bank of Oxford; a 81
I gold piece; collection of rare silve
4 coins amounting to about $40, including
/ 81 of the issue of 1871, q trade dolla.
/ of the issue of 1873 and all the nev
series issued since 1893, when tn
1 Columbian half-dollar came out; col
/ lection of scrip amounting to about $40
silver ring in form of serpent, will
garnet head and eyes; heavy gold ring
1 IA carat, unmarked. collar and gol'
cuff buttons and gold shirt stud.