The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1905-01-18
WELLINGTON.

grandson of George E. Sparrow. both
residents here. The accused was sent
to the reform school in Meriden from
the authorities here some three years
ago for alleged stealing of bicycle
belonging to Rev. D. Y. Moor from
the premises of J. F. Whitford. 1t
is now pretty evident that he was the
party who figured in the horse steal
ing case here. He ought not to have
been let go SO soon from the reform
school. Outsiders may say that this
town ought not to furnish such ma
terial. but this boy would heed no
admonition ever, and he is now where
he can do no more harm to himself
or anybody else, for he may be shut
up for life for three recent crimes
rape, threatening to kill and larceny:
Claude R. Taylor, the young des-
perado who assaulted Mrs. Elsino 0.
Ward of Petersham, was taken to
Athol yesterday afternoon by State
Detective Peleg G.. Murray of Worces-
ter and Deputy Sheriff Daniel Fl. Rice
of Barre. At Athol crowd number.
ing nearly 200 were at the station to
meet Taylor. Taylor was dressed in
the same clothes he has worn since
he made the attack on Mrs. Ward.
He had on the woodman's coat which
he is believed to have stolen of Allen
Ingraham in Leverett, and on his
head was a cap, and he wore a blue
pair of trousers. He presented q
rather sorrowful appearance. When
he arrived with the officers he was at
once marched to the district court
room. CLERK Boyce read the COM
plaint, which was that on January 3.
Claude r. Taylor did criminally
assault and ravish Mrs. Elsino 0.
Ward of Petersham. Taylor, on be.
ing asked to plead, said "Guilty" in
a firm voice. and Judge Field imme-
diately said there was probable cause
of guilt and ordered the defendant to
recognize in the sum of $4,000 to ap-
pear in the superior court in Worces-
ter Monday. Taylor was, of course,
unable to supply the bonds and was
taken to Worcester on the 1.29 train,
A large crowd was at the station to
see him off. Mrs. Ward of Petersham,
upon whom the assault was made.
was in the courtroom, hut was not
asked to testify in any way. The
charge of larceny was not pressed at |
the hearing, but may come later
Taylor states he is 18 years of age,
but he looks older. He says he has
been drifting around since he was IL |
years old, and according to all re-
ports has had shifty record. He
was formerly in the Connecti7>s.tsal a
school for boys in Meriden and lived
at Wellington, Ct., until a few weeks
ago, when he disappeared.
Following are previous accounts /
from the same source, giving more
particulars of the career of the young |
person who has grown up here from
a child, and who many people have
tried to help and to influence for
good, in vain:
The town of Petersham is greatly
exercised over the outrageous treat
ment suffered by Mrs. Elsino @. Ward,
IS, at the hands of young desperate
last week, who it is supposed was
captured in New Hampshire. Ac-
cording to Mrs. Ward, who lives
alone, she was visited last Tuesday
night by a young stranger, who en-
tered the house, demanded that he be
fed and cared for over night. He
Mrs. Ward and remained
until about 10 O'Clock Wednesday
evening, when he left. He threatened
to kill the woman if she dared to re-
peat he had been there. The fellow
was clothed in a good looking suit,
and had an extra suit with him. He
also carried two guns, besides dirk
knife. When he left the house We'd
nesday he took all the money Mrs.
Ward had, 1915, although afterward
he gave her back 25 cents. He also
took cape worth 49,, silk handker-
chief and two bedquilts. The young
man was captured in a lumber camp
in the town of, Rockingham, VT, five
miles from Bellows Falls. He led
the Massachusetts officers an exciting
chase of three days. The arrest was
made in the lumbe camp of Ray &
of Bellows Falls by P.
F. Murray of the Massachusetts dis
trict police of Worcester, D. Fl. Rice,
deputy sheriff of Barre, and A. H.
Thompson, chief of police of Bellows
Falls, and the prisoner was taken to
Bellows Falls and lodged in Jail. The
prisoner, when taken, gave the name
Of Robert Taylor, and said he was ID
years old. He said he had been away
rom his family five years, but would
not tell where his home was nor the
name of a1y member of his family.
He is of small STATURE. with red
lace, and is of inferior appearance.
It is said that Taylor worked on
'arm in Colrain for George Milton
1nder the name of George Blake,
some three weeks ago, and worked on
\ farm in Leverett for Allen Ingham
Is Bert Needham. At the former
place he is said to have stolen. rife,
and shotgun at the latter. He
;raded the rife at Bellows Falls for
! shotgun, and bought revolver and
At Barre he traded
shotgun and woman's cape, identi.e1
led as that taken from Mrs. Ward,
'or a watch, which was found onrhim
when arrested. He also had an ex- /,
;ension case and blue silk handker2
,hief, said to belong to Mrs. Ward,
md carried the six-inch dirk-knife /
which Mrs. Ward claims. he drew {
ACROSS her throat. and had $3. so in