The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1899-05-24
Bold Robbery in MoretOwn.

The people Of Moretown are much excited
over bold attempt at robbery which took
place on Monday.
The parties were Mrs. Smonds and son
who live on the farm formerly owned by
James Carpenter in Waitsfield, and Mrs.
Rose Abbott, who lives with them. Mon
day afternoon they obtained a team of 9.
l.. Murray, one Of their neighbors, and
came to this village, where they visited all
the stores and msde some small purchases.
The first place they entered was the store
of L Wilcox. Mrs. Wilcox was alone in
| the store at the time.
While Mrs. Abbott was looking at vari-
GUS articles and holding the attention OF
Mrs. Wilcox, the other woman and her son
were on the opposite side OF the store.
They appeared to be examining the goods
and once in while the boy would 90 ont
TO the wagon for moment and then re
turn. Their actions were not regarded as
suspicious at the time. Mrs. Wilcox was
once Obliged to step to the back door to
| consult her husband about some article
which they wished to purchase, during
which time they must have worked very
rapidly, for when she returned everything
appeared to be all right aud they soon de-
| parted.
They next visited the store of j. w
Taylor, and while awaiting their turn,
seemed to be much engaged in looking at
some ribbons in a small case on the center
counter.
Previous to this time some OF the con-
tents of the ribbon case had mysteriously
disappeared. In consequence Of this the
| proprietor and his wife were constantly on
their guard and watched carefully to dis
cover the thief.
Mrs. Taylor was waiting on another GUS
toner at the back part Of the room and
watching these women as best she could,
but somehow they managed to conceal two
or three rolls about their persons besides
other articles. In closing the door to the
case it gave snap which was heard by
Mrs. Taylor and she left her work and con-
fronted them. They seemed very much
confused, but passed It off in some way.
Soon after they drove to the store Of H.
| o. Ward, which is not more than ten rods
away, and entered. While b. E. Gillett
the clerk, was waiting on Mrs. Abbott, the
other woman walked to the other side of
the store. Mr.. Gillett saw her snatch some
canned goods from the counter and try to
conceal them. He Immediately went ove
to where she was and accused her of the
theft. While she was denying it, Mrs.
Abbott hastily secured some articles near at
hand and hurried out to the wagon. Help
was called and by that time Mr.. Taylor had
missed some things. He came upon the
scene and at once began to examine the
contents OF the wagon, where he found
articles OF various kinds which had been
stolen. Mrs. Abbott was So arched at house
near by, but nothing was found on her per-
son.
The boy escaped and ran home before he
could be overtaken by an officer. A search
warrant was procured and the premises
were searched, where was found large
amount Of dry goods, which, without doubt,
was stolen property.
Most Of the goods found showed evidence
OF having been washed once in order to de-
stroy cost marks, etc. There is plenty of
proof OF guilt and on Tuesday morning
States Attorney Hoar of Barre was notified.
he is looking after the matter at present.
This is the boldest thing that has taken
place in Moretown in a long time, and,
without doubt, the guilty parties will be
punished to the full extent OF the law More
particulars will be given later.