Waterbury Democrat., 1901-04-26
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Failed to Have Much Light Thrown on Copper Question.

on Copper Question.
 Picture in your mind the gravity and austerity which characterizes the ap- peaFance of the judges of the United States supreme court as they enter the court room, and you have an idea of the appearance of the board of public safety as the members slowly filed into tue room last evening to continue the investigation into the mysterious dis appearance of a certain lot of copper. The hearing last evening effused no (healing balms upon the scorched limbs of the copper case. No startling or sensational evidence was introduced, practically no new facts were adduced from the testimony last evening. The evidence of Ervis D. Wright, Deputy Sheriff Rigney and his assistant, James Lunny, was marked for its brevity and lack of any facts. Indeed De putty Sheriff Rigney refused to answer questions at all concerning the copper. As citizen he knew nothing about 1t; as a dsputized sheriff of New Haven county he was not bound to nor would he disclose the secrets of his office. A similar stand did his assistant James Lunny take.
 It was shortly after S:15 when the board convened in the aldermanic chamber, every member being present. In addition there sat within the rail Chief Egan, Sergeant Cahey, Patrol man Byrnes, C1affey. Myers, Ken naugh. Brearton, Tehan and Hickey. Outside the rail sat Deputy Sheriff Rig ney, his assistant, James Lunny, and number of spectators. The minutes of the last meeting were read by City Clerk M. J. Ryan. Applications were then read from John Kelly and Her man Stoper asking respectively for positions as a permanent fireman and as supernumerary Both applications were placed on file.
 After Sheriff Rigney. James Lunny. Ervi5 Wright and Officer Myers had risen and taken the oath, Sheriff Rig ney asked the following question of the mayor: Mfr Mayor. would like to ask you a question. Do you swear me as an officer or as citizen" As q citizen. said the mayor. Sheriff Rig ney appeared to be slightly relieved at this answer and replied: "All right"
 MT Wright was the first to take the stand.
 ATayor-"Do you know anything in connection with this copper case which has been discussed so much for several weeks
 Mfr Wright-Only what I have heard
 AIayor-Tell us what you know.
 Mir Wright-One night Sergeant Cahey came to my house. I was the only one present. It was 9:15 and I was about to retire. My wife and child had retired. I let Sergeant Cahey in and he told me he was on picket duty and requested permission to use tile telephone. gave him permission. I}dfd not stand in the room with Cahey but withdrew back into another room. Although not paying any particular attention. I heard him call a number. Didn't know which it was, didn't try 10 find out I supposed it was head fquarters He asked the person at the other end of the line to send out re- lief and some sandwiches. Tn reply to some questions the sergeant said he thought he had found five or six. didn't know what. neither did Cahey mention it. He also said he might stay out all night I told Sergeant Ca hey if I had anything in my house which he needed he was free to have t. He then bade me good night. Those were all the words which passed be- efween us.
 Mayor-How long ago was this?
 MT Wrfght-Three weeks ago Friday night. The using of the telephone by Sergeant Cahey made me slightly ner- vous Knowing, as did, that there was a gang in the East end which was row ing about pilfering hen roosts. Ac- cordingly I went around and locked all the doors. was nervous. Next morn ing felt easier. On that morning in driving my son to town. rode up the 1Ieriden road as far as the brook, turn ed around and drove into town. I did not see any of the copper As I was looming down East Main street. met .one of Officer Byrnes' boys. I asked him If be knew why the police were out there the night before. The latter replied that he didn't know, that his father had gone up there but he never tells them anything concerning these nffairs. Didn't know that copper was the cause of the search until about o'clock Saturday evening.
 Mayor-Do you know anything fur ther concerning the matter.
 Answer-Nothing
 III EGRlt lO QuGcllOuS, NH Wright stated he had spoken on Satur- day morning of Sergeant Cahey, using the phone to A. B. Pierpont. meat dealer. and his empioye. man named Squires. He first heard of the copper on Friday night about 5;30 when he was riding home with neighbor, John French, whom he had met with a par ty of other men in front of Tom Hayes's. French told him he had seen the copper the night before Q'riday) when coming into town, had seen a man stapding behind tree, shouted at him and he disappeared. He him. self drove on into town.
 Commissioner Kleinecke-Why did you drive up to the bridge on the Aeri- den road on Saturday about where the copper was. if as you say, you knew nothing of it. It appears somewhat remarkable to me that you should drive up about to the place where the copper. was and then turn back.
 Wright-Now I think I remembered that Sergeant Cahey said something of the brook on the Meriden road. I am sure he did.
 Sheriff Rigney was called to the Etand He wore the costume of a de-