Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-18
NIPPED IN BUD.
Chicago Coachman's Black
mailingScheme 0idn'twork.
Was About to Receive Sl2,500 When
Placed Under Arrest.
Two RevoIvers and Dagger Found in
Mans Possession.

Chicago, Jan. lI.-Janle5 llpti - an
English coachman, employed by the
family Of the late Charles I. Nash OF
the Board OF Trade firm OF Nash
Wright Co., was arrested, yesterday,
as he was about to receive Sl2,5oo, al
legged blackmail, from Mrs. ii. NJ.
Thurston, daughter of Mr.. Nash. The
arrest was made in Mrs. Thurston's
apartments at her late fathers house
on Ashland boulevard.
Mrs. Thurston had just said: Here
is the money you have just deman ded;
now give me the letters and photo
graphs in your possession when two
detectives sprang into the room, and
as one of them seized the package of
money. the other grappled with the
desperate cOachman. When he was
overpowered, two revOlvers and a dag
ger were found in his possession.
Several discriminating letters. all said
to be forgeries. were taken from Til
berry, and photographs of Mrs. Thurs
ton were found in his den" in the
barn.
Tilbery was taken to 4 police station
where Mrs. ThurstOn swore out war
rants charging him with carrying con-
cealed weapons. with threats to XIII
and with extortion by threats.
Tilbery Is rather a good-lOoking man
OF IS. Mrs. ThurstOn, who is very
handsome woman, does not deny that
he had possession of many of her pho
togra phs, and also a number of letters,
none of which, she said, had been writ
ten to him.
Though Tilbery had been only IA
,x,npth, in bo o,ny,loy IF tho Nash ia -
lily, he was treated more or less like {,
member of the family, and Charles T.
Nash, during his last illness. relied
greatly on him. Mr.. Nash died, Dec. 30.
"Tilbery knew" says Attorney james
T.. Ingram. that Mr.. Nash left an es-
tate of more than 100000. of which
Mrs. ThurstOn would get IA large share,
and he determined to hold her up"
Friday. 1t is said. Tilbery told Mrs.
Thurston that he had her in his power
and that unless he was paid $500 he
would expose her to the world.
Il can get $4,000 for these letters from
Chicago newspaper" he is alleged to
have said.
Mrs 'Thurston tcmporizcd for Il time and
the man left. In an hour he returned
and. 1t Is alleged. demanded Si2,'1 as the
price of his silence.
Mrs Thurston and her aged mother
we're alone in the house with II trained
nurse. Frightened. she told Tilbcry she
would get him the money. She left th'
house and at once went to Mr.. lngra III
Tilbery was called up on the telephone
and the following conversation was over
heard by the lawyer according to hi:
statement. today.
Il cannot get the money now. but
can bring It to you in the morning What
Is the lowest figure you will settle for
Netting less than $l2.5O0. with the un
derStandinE that l will give up all the
letters and papers in my possession and
make an affidavit that the statements;
have made are false You must have the
coin with you. and it must be delivered
being present.
Instead of going home, last night. Mrs
Thurston staid with her brother An APP
pointment was made with Tibery for de
livering the money. Three detective
were concealed in the house. Lawyer
Ingram waited down stairs. and TiIbnry
was sent for from the barn. The arrest
followed.
IHDery, cool ana collected. says he stu
has 80 letters from Mrs. Thurston and
other members of the family which are
worth thousands of dollars to keep hush
ed up. and that they will have to settle
with him.
The man stole my letters and photo
graphs" said Mrs. Thurston. IF he has
any letters purporting to he mine, they
are forSeries. l treated him kindIy-th.t
was ALL"