The Worcester spy., 1899-07-04
Trunk Mystery Is
Solved BY The
Spy.
OWNER FOUND IN STILL RIVER.
New Policemen Make a
Night of 1t in Clinton
The Old Station.

fyTe block, Depot square, reported TO
officer Joseph Lawson that A. S. Greg
ory, shoe merchant, who has a shop
in the same building, had a trunk in
his possession, left with him more than
two months ago, by woman who said
she would call for it the next day.
Mr.. Woods reported the matter be-
cause he thought the woman who
owned the trunk might have some con-
nection with the woman whose body
was found In the Sterling swamp. Late
thls afternoon a representative of The
spy called upon Mr.. Gregory. He had
the trunk. 1t was stored in the small
room In the rear of his cobbling estab-
lishment.
Mr. Gregory said that more than
eignt weeks ago Hack Driver James
Connery came into his store and asked
permission for one of his patrons a
woman, to leave the trunk there.
She did not care to pay the charges
that she would be obliged to pay if the
trunk remained in the depot which is
nearby. Mr.. Gregory said it would be
all right, and the woman returned with
the hack driver and left the trunk. Mr..
Gregory said this afternoon, "I have
not seen her from that day to this
He showed the trunk to the repre-
sentative of The Spy. 1t is a cheap af-
fair, covered with tin. Two cards are
tackled on It. On each card is written
the name Of "Gertie Mcneil" The let
ters m. Mem" are printed across one
OF the Stats that strengthen it,
Hack Driver Connery said that re
did not carry the woman, but only the
trunk. He took the trunk across from
the depot to Gregory's shoe store and
left 1t. He did not remember much
about the woman, except that she was
young and wore a pink waist He had
not seen her si1ce he delivered the
trunk.
Mr. Gregory said that as he recollect-
ed, the woman wore a pink waist. He
could think of no reason why she had
not called for her trunk. There were
no charges to pay upon it, as he had
agreed to store it for nothing He
thought that when she returned a sec
ond time she had a man with her
At the depot it was learned from the
baggagemaster that the trunk was
shipped from the Still River station on
the Boston g. Maine railroad. There
was as cents to pay on 1t when it was
taken away. This was about 10 weeks
ago.
The police do not understand why
the woman should not have called for
her trunk. The waist which was found
on the body in the Sterling swamp
was not pink, but the general effect
OF it was pink, to one who did not look
long enough to observe the plaid pat
tern. Hack Driver Connery thinks her
hair was dark, but not black.
A search is being made for the
owner of the trunk, and for the n an
who was seen with her.
The representative of The Spy went
to Still River. and inquiry among the
villagers showed that Miss Mcneil had
been employed in a boarding house
in the village up to three months ago
1t was also ascertained that Miss Nc
Neils father was also employed in the
brickyard as a teamster. He had not
seen his daughter for some time, but
thought she was employed in the Lam
caster mill in Clinton.
All of the boarding houses were Wis
tied, finally locating the girl in Mrs
Smiths boarding house on Green
was found, because she had no use for
its contents.
officers George Burk and John M.
Murphy are on duty tonight, officer
Rurk for the first time since the spring
election, and Officer Murphy for the
nrst time since Chief Willoughby went
out of office. News of the confirmation
of the men by the metropolitan water
board was received late this afternoon
by Chief Oren B. Bates. Charles Dud-
ley, the third man appointed by the
selectmen at their last meeting, was
not so fortunate. The board refused
to confirm the appointment. Their op-
position to him is based upon the fact
that he applied for liquor license fol-
lowing the spring election. They de-
clare that his selection was tainted
with politics. Dudley was the chief
promoter of a French republican club
which did good work during the cam
laign.
This club held its meeting in the rooms
OF the Young Mems Republican club
in Greeley's block, and was quite a fac
tor in the campaign. The selectmen
say, however, that Dudley was not sell
eoted because of his political value. but
because he is one of the best men to be
found for the work 1t is true, CHIEF
Bates says, that Dudley is a good
ciean man, whom the chief believes is
the kind that make efficient policemen.
Moreover, Dudley speaks one or two
languages besides French and English
most valuable qualification the select
men think. In this town, where the DO
lice are dealing constantly with a cos
mopolitan population of laborers at
tracted from all parts of the world to
work upon the reservoir.
The French people, whom Dudley re-
presented, are thoroughly angry. There
Is large colony of them in town. They
claim they are entitled to representa- :
ton.
Dudley's case will probably be pre-.
sented to the water board again when
Selectman William Rodger returns
from his wedding trip. The seectmen
think he is too good man to lose.
Oflicer Burk is patrolling his old beat
on High street. He was receiving
greetings from all the merchants on the
street this afternon, who were glad to
see him hgain. Officer Mitchell who
has been covering the beat, will be
changed to beat in another part of the
town by his own request.
Tonight for the first time in the his
tory OF the town the police are making
an extra effort to prevent the depreda-
tions committed by Clinton boys as a
time-honored custom of the night he
fore the Fourth. Not only are ali the
regular men out with instructions TO
be especially vigilant, but a number Of
specials are distributed in localities
where the mischief Is most likely to oc-
cur. All the men have strict orders to
bring iii any boy who is found tamper-
ing with blind, taking off a gate. re-
moving clothes-reels or tearing I'M
walks. These are the offences that are
E~u.z..-sM~s--.-.s.u---s