Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-28
A GREAT SURPRISE.
Robert S. Fosburgh Charged
With Murder of Sister.
Wa; Shot, Aug. 20, 1900, at Home
in PittsfeId, Mass.
fosbGrgh's Family Astounded- Father SAYS Ms
a Diab0lcal Plot.

Pittsfield, Jan. 27.-Robert s. Fos-
burSh. member of the contracting firm
Of Robert l.. Fosburg q Co. of Buffalo.
n. T., was arrested, Saturday morning
on the charge Of manslaughter in Kill
ing his sister, Miss Mary l.. Fosburgh
| on the morning Of Aug 20, 1900
me arrest was made on an indict-
mont for manslaushter found by the
BERKSHIRE grand jury, that met. Mon
day. Jan. II. The warrant was issued,
Saturday. by the district court at the
request of chief of Police John Nichol-
son of this city, who had collected the
evidence on which the Indictment was
found.
Police officers Daniel Flynn and
James NJ. Dean We're detailed to make
ne arrest. They entered q covered
sleigh at the police station and We're
taken out to the plant Of the Stanley
Electrical Manufacturing Co. in the
Mornineside district of the city, which
the of Fosburgh is building.
The officers entered the Office of the
works a little before 9. Young Fos-
burgh was consulting with f. w. Lund
he confidential bookkeeper, and turned
with Good morning" He knew the
officers We'll from their active connec-
ton with the work on the murder mys-
terry of last summer.
officer Flynn called FOsburgh to one
corner of the Office and told him that
he was under arrest on the charge of
manslaughter. At first the young man
joked with the officer. He was told
that the warrant called for his arrest
and that it was their duty to take him
into custody. He grew CHASTITY pale
while the warrant was being read and
| notified Mr.. Lund of the visit Of the
officers.
This will kill father. This is indeed
the last straw" he said. He asked
the bookkeeper to notify his father
who was at the Wendell Hotel and
took his ulster down from the hook
near the office door and put it on
quickly. Now | am ready" ne said.
The officers and prisoner entered the
sleigh and We're driven out to Tyler
street. past the residence where the
shooting had taken place last August
| and to the police station. During the
ride to the station the prisoner said
TO the evidence on which the arrest
was made. He was perfectly cool and
collected.
At the police station he was met by
the chief Of police, who asked the usual
questions which are recorded when an
arrest is made. To these Fosburgh
answered in clear voice. He was
then taken to the second floor OF the
station house. where he was placed in
the detention room. His father was
notified of the arrest. visited him there
and had Il long consultation with him.
Major Charles T. Plunkett. bail Off
GER. placed the bail at $4,000. but it
was afterward reduced to $4,000
Young Fosburgh declined to make any
statement to the press. He was rather
restless during the day and paced the
wide corridor Of the detention room
nervously. He asked for the papers con-
tanning the story of his arrest and read
the accounts with a show of interest
Robert l.. Fosbursh, the father Of tho
murdered girl and ot the prisoner. ST /
about AT once To secure bail for his son.
He had conferences with several prom
nent business men with whom he has had
dealings in this city. but up to a late hour
he had not been able to secure the
amount tl INC bdlI.
Mr.. Fosburgh wa seen Mt the Wendell
saturday afternoon. ana was asked If he
had anything to say regarding the arrest
of his son. lie said that he had no public
statement to make to the press He had
acquainted his wife of the arrest of their
SON and he said that Mrs. f'oSburgh bore
the ordeal well. II may say philosophi-
cally,' said the elder FoSburgh. of
course. il was a great blow to her
He stated that the arrest was a great
surprise To him ana that he had not the
slightest inklng that his son was under
suspicion Of having killed his sister. II
was questioned at one time by the chief
Of police" said Mr.. Fosburgh, with re-
gard to my relations with my son ana if
the night Of the crime. ! told the chief
of police al that time that orr family re
latons had been the peasantest. This
arrest is a diabolcal plot on the part of
some one.
Continuing. Mr. Fosburgh said that the
evidence must be hearsay. started by
some one and repeated until ii had be
come believed.
Frederick w. Lund the Fosburghs
confidential man. said the arrest was a
great surprise To himself and to young
II think Mr.. Foshurgh thought
that the officers We're joking with him
when the arrest was made. When he
realized that they Were serious he APP
peared daZed The arrest will be an aw-
full blow to his wife and to his mother. :
Mr.. and Mrs. Fosburgh, the younger,
CONTINUED on page g.