Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-08-12
WERE THEY BURGLARS?
Maine Central Emp cycs See Men Proving
About Waterviiie Beef Co.'S. Office.

1t is evident that an attempt was
made. Saturday night, to break into
the office of the Waterville Beef Co. in
the upper part of the city and in the
rear of the Maine Central freight
house. It'is also evident that some
one has had this place marked for
some time and il is furthermore evil
dent that if they keep on they will be
caught. Just before the break in Bur-
CESS store in Fairfield one of the en-
ployes of the Maine Central was ap-
preached by stranger and asked for
the loan of a match. Incidentally he
made some enquiries about the Office
of the Beef Co. and seemed very much
interested in the business. He was
given some pretty sharp answers and
nothing more was heard of the matter.
1t was about this time that break
was made in that part of the city. The
explosion was heard by the night crew
in the freight house but they did not
think to Investigate at the time. The
break put them on their guard. how
ever, and now when there is any sus-
piciouS action in their neighbOrhood
they are pretty sure to look into 1t.
urday night 1t was late when a little
dog that belongs in the neighborhood
was heard having great time in the
vicinity of the Beef Cos. building. He
could be heard running across the
street and barking and then retreat
ing The bark was so persistent that
one of the crew decided to investigate.
So he went out of the freight house
and quietly hid himself under box
car where he could see what was going
on across the way.
He thought he saw a man in the
shadow of tree in front of the Beef
Cos. office but was not sure. He kept
his eyes glued to the spot but could
discover no movement. He had about
made up his mind that he had been
mistaken when man suddenly APP
peared in his range of vision. He ap
peared so quickly that the watcher
couldn't tell where he came from.
Then couple of dark lanterns be
gan to flash on one side of the Beef
COS. building. This was continued
for several seconds and then all was
quiet again. The watcher under the
freight car thought it was about time
to do something, so he craWled back IN
the shadows to the freight house and
went in search of an officer ;. L.
Berry, freight agent. and an employee
of the Beef 60. were also called out,
making a party of a half dozen or So
An investigation was made but none
of the providers could be found.
A door on The north side of the build
ing was found unlocked but there were
no signs Of violence or any way Of tell
ing how it came so. Nothing inside
the building so far as could be seen
had been disturbed. There were no
tracks or any signs by which the
providers could be followed so pursuit
seen it was thought that there were
four men about the building.
It is not known what scared them
off. 1t might have been the uproar
made by the little dog or perhaps the
watcher under the freight car had been
located. although he went in and out
with great care. The flashing Of the
dark lanterns may have been signal
that the job was off. At any rate the
men disappeared and no trace of them
could be found.
Some Of the employees about the sta
ton saw four men hanging about dur
ing the evening and who apparently
wished TO keep out of sight. 1t is
thought that one Of these was the man
who was making enquiries about the
Beef Co several weeks ago.