Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-09-25
BURGLAR CAUGHT
In the Clothing Store Of
The Messer -PeT|ey Co.
By Officers Dutton, White and
Chadwick, Early This Morning.
Prisoner is Young Man Thought to Be Leon
S. Shelton Of HalIoWeII.

\ young man. whose identity is I'M
known but thought To be Leon 5. Skel-'
ton Of Hallowell. was arrested at
o'clock, this morning. while attempt
ing % purglariZe the store of Messer
pcrl"y 60. at 23S Water street. The
arrest was one Of the best pieces of
work of the local police department
for sometime ana clearly shows their
forethOught in times of need and in
cidentally reflects considerable credit
upon James Little night clerk at the
Cony House.
As Mr.. Little was returning home
ward about ] o'clock, from his nightly
duties. in passing the Messer- Perley
COS. store he saw a light within, and.
while he did not suspect trouble any
more than the unusual incident of
seeing Il light in the store at that time
"f night, he passed on. until meeting
Policeman Dutton he remarked that
some clerk is trying to carry off the
1Icsscr Perley Go. store
Mr.. DuttOn immediately scented
trouble and started for the store. Ar
irving in front Of the door he saw
young man. apparently 20 years of
age, busily engaged in trying on vari-
Gus articles of clothing and seemingly
rery much engaged in his chosen pur
suit officer DuttOn also watched his
operations around the cash register. in
trying to 1T various keys TO open it
ANA meeting with little success.
Not wishing Ia let the Gagged bird es-
cape the officer waited for Officers
" mite and Chadwick to make an APP
lc.tr:!IIce on the scene and soon they
aIprarei. Policeman Dutton made mis-
way to the Iclr of the store and the
nth'rs waited ut the door. Then the
word Mas spoken to MIR. Burglar within
ana after looking for every avenue Of
escape and finding none he finally
made uD lis mind TO crawl forth
through the broken pane of glass in the
rear Of tn" store and surrendered. soon
hnuinG his way across the bridge of
Sighg.'
The prisoner refused absolutely To
talk. either Of himself or how h" made
the break. bur it appears from the way
the glass was broken and small piece
nf brick that was found close ny that
hc smashed the window as train
No. II Numbered into the station. as
the officers. at least one Of them. was
near the scene Of the break for some
time before ana had heard 10 noise. Fl"
evidently first tried to cut the putty
out around the pane of glass. as there
we're marks Of 4 knife on the window
sin ana a knife in the prisoners pos
session was found br ken.
While in the store. if the break was
made when the train came in. no must
have worked lively for he had tried ON
various pieces of clothing. including
pants. coat. ovcrhauls and Jacket be
side selecting i fine Derby hat. In"
pants coat ana hat ne had on wh"ii
dctcrtt.d by the police, but changed
bcfor.. coming out of doors. Ills at
irnItS to secure cash We're futile ami
there was none about. "Xcent that IN
the cash drawer and this h" WAS ui-
able to open.
Tie prisoner ut the station was very
rctic,it ;S far aS facts about himself
H.r, concerned, but that he is pos
a.;Scd Of Il large amount of what is
Known in common slang rs "braSs"
there is little doubt the way NJ replied
to uut Stions. On being asked his nam"
he vuuchci the information that the
officers might lind out in the morning.
Ills appearance was that or q young
man. probably not moro than p years of
age. Fl. in. in height, and weighing
about 10 pounds. His wearing apparel
WAS neat ana clean. the suit being Of Il
light grryish material. wearing a whit.
shirt. Stard-ur collar md a small dark
SOUL cap such as is worn 10y college men.
ON E"!ug searched his material wealth
in the coin of the realm WAS found t.
consist of - cents and with this he had
Il Jackknf" containing two blades. one of
which was broken. a letter addressed to
Leon s. SHELTON of IlallowCll, Me, K. +.
II. $. care of w. Albee. and a small en-
vclopc containing two tickets for the per
Torrance Of David Harum" to be given
ut the Opera house. tonight. This latter
envelope WIS addressed to r. +. Skeljon.
Noroton Heights. Ct.
The letter without doubt settles dhc
identity Of the man in custody and it WIS
SAID by enc gentleman that he thinks he
knows the prisoner and will make an at
tempt to identify him. this morning.
The break Wis engineered in practical
ly The same manner rs the one made re-
Gently at the store of Sherburnc & DALEY
co. ana the belief. this morning. is tint
tn" prisoner might tell Just how it was
don" were he 50 inclined. TIL" arrest Of
tn" Young man is counted as a good piece
of work on the part of the police and.
iiE morning Policemen Dutton. Chad
wick and White are receiving congratula-