Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1902-08-08
HAS CONFESSED HIS CRIME.
Clarence Adams Of Chester Says He
stole "For Fun"

OtOle TUT Fun,
A double guard is now on duty at the
bedside of Clarence A. Adams. the al
legged victim of a local miller's spring
gun in Chester. One guard is serving
the local authorities and the other is on
duty on behalf of the citizens of the
town.
Friday night there was a mass meet
ing at which much indignation was ex-
pressed, and it was decided to take stems
to insure the mans appearance before
the courts to answer to the charges
against him. Although Adams is all
ready under arrest, warrant, issued up
on complaint of w. L. Ware & Sons
one of the leading firms in the section
charging burglary, was served on Adams
saturday. An additional search warrant
also was sworn out and examination of
Adams's premises more thorough than
that previously made, is in progress.
Further details in the Chester affair
IN which Clarence A. Adams who was
supposed to have been held up and
shot Monday, and was arrested Thurs
day on suspicion of stealing, are now
at hand. Mr. Waterman, a mill owner
became suspicious that some one was en-
tering his mill and set an alarm gun.
Last Monday night the gun went off
The shot in Adams was found to be of
the same size, No. G. as that used in the
sufficiently from his injuries his trial
will he held.
An almost endless variety of articles
including clothing. harness, shingles
boots and shoes. sllverware. revolvers
barrels of -four. books, gold pens. and
other goods sufficient to stock a county
store, were found in the chambers of
Adamss home and in the she'd much
Of which has already been Unidentified as
property stolen in the many burglaries
Of the past fifteen years. When charged
with the burglaries Adams would say
nothing.
The property recovered was taken to
the town hall and displayed for the pur-
pose of naturalization. Already many
of the articles have been Unidentified by
their owners 1t is said that a lot of
shingles stolen from Mr.. Waterman some
time ago were found to have been used
on Adams's buildings
Representatives from the Weston cash
grocery of Weston, VT. identified a bar
rel of graduated sugar. Burdett Bros
of Chester identified two barrels of
-four. Mr. Bacon, Londonderry mer-
chant identified three bags of phosphate
Mr. Soules, the station agent identified
a silver watch which he lost several
years ago. Mr. Soules also identified
the barrels of sugar and bags of fer
tilzer found in Adams's house as some
which had been stolen from the station
within the past year. A large number
of meal bags were identified by w. L..
Ware & Sons as having been taken from
their mill within year.
Adams has been placed under $4,000
bonds, e. L. Herrick being his bonds
man, and he has made over his entire
property, which is extensive, to Mr..
Herrick
A revolver stolen twelve years ago was
identified by Mr.. Spear, the owner, and
j. II. Adams found among the lot a gold
watch chain stolen from his house ten
years ago.
Among the burglaries which the police
allege can be traced to Adams and his
companions, as evidenced by the property
recovered, are these:
In 1886 j. f. Pollard's house was en-
tered and Mrs. Pollard's gold watch,
together with Mr.. Pollard's pocketbook,
containing 5000 in money, was stolen.
In 1891 Pollard & Carpenters store was
robbed of 500 worth of goods.
In 1892 Pollards store was again rob-
bed of a large amount of clothing and
John II. Adams's house was entered and
a gold watch and chain and 1915 in money
taken. This chain has been identified.
In 1896 Pollard's store again suffered,
more goods being stolen.
In 1897 over $500 worth of goods were
stolen from Adams e Davis's store, and
in 1898 5000 worth of clothing was taken
from the store of Pollard & Abbott.
The latest burglary occurred in June
last when Pollard & Carpenters store
was again entered and relieved of $3.50
worth of clothing.
The residents of Chester are filled with
amazement at the disclosures involving
Mr.. Adams. For years he has been a
prominent citizen. He has represented
the town in the legislature, has been a
selectman and is now trustee of the
public library. Adams is As years of
age, but is not married. He is a man
of education and of wide reading, his
private library being such as to attract
attention. 1t is considered one of the
best in Chester.
Adams told a Bosto -oe reporter that
he was fascinated by reading DR.. Jeck-
vi and Mr.. Hyde, and that he stole for
fun, and that he was never amused by
the recreations which please most men.
The officials believe that Adams had at
least one accomplice, and there is some
evidence that he was not alone the night
he was shot. w. E. Dunn of North
Springfield, a former resident of Chester,
and now a constable and selectman in
Springfield, was suspected, and his house
was searched but no discriminating evil
dence was found When Mr. and Mrs.
George Allen were robbed of $1,000 about l.
years ago, two masked men entered their
house, one being tall and resembling
Adams.
Adams has been rearrested on second
complaint, and 1t is said that two civil
suits to recover damages will be brought
against him. 1t is reported that A. d.
l.. Herrick, the town clerk of Chester,
who furnished bail of $4,000, has surrender
ed the prisoner.