Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-11-01
CHASED BY OFFICERS
James H. Fairbanks Had Difficulty
in Leaving the State

His Roll Sadly Depleted but He Finally
Went North by a clrcultous Route,
Joining Family In Montreal
James II. Fairbanks of Townshend Is
one of the few men who have shaken the
dust of the Green Mountain state from
their feet with a feeling of Thanksgiving
and gone on his western way rejoicing
He passed through Brattleboro Monday
after numerous trying experiences with
officers of the law and at last report
was being borne swiftly toward his new
home in California. The last report also
said that a sheriff from Bellows Falls
was making an unsuccessful search for
him in Townshend Brattleboro and on
every train that left here for the west
Mr. Fairbanks's troubles began early
Monday morning. When he arose his
experience with the law, sheriffs, etc.
was very limited but by night he was
well versed in their ways For some
time Mr.. Fairbanks had been engaged I'm
numbering for Holden & Martin of this
town but recently he decided to take
his family consisting of his wife. several
small children and his mother, to Cali
tornia to live He secured a position
there and sold all his property in
Townshend last week. with the money
he bought through tickets to California
by way of Montreal and had a good
sum besides to pay the extra expenses
on the way and make start in his new
home
Monday morning the family prepared
to depart on the train but Just as their
maj preparations were made an officer Of
the law appeared with a bill for about
SoO from a local merchant and threat
ened to arrest the man If the money
was not paid promptly. Mr. Fairbanks
claimed that the bill was a fraudulent
one but rather than be held up i'm his
plans took out his roll ana paid the
money under protest. He then started
with his family for the station but Just
as they arrived the tax collector Of the
town appeared with a just claim for
taxes. This also was paid and the roll
again depleted.
They departed on the train thinking
they had left their troubles behind them
but on arrival at tho local station Deputy
Sheriff a. w j. wilkins was waiting
for him with a writ on account of
claim Of Holden & Martin. This was a
more serious proposition than either OF
his former experiences and he began to
think that his troubles were increasing
rather than growing less. He was es-
corted by Sheriff wilkins to the Office
of II. G. and f. f. Barber where the
writ was made out, for a conference
His family went north on the II O'Clock
train with the understanding that he was
10 follow on the afternoon train and
meet them in Montreal.
The claim Of Holden & Martin proved
the least distressing of any as 1t arose
wholly from ignorance on the part OF the
mar. When Mr. Fairbanks contracted 10
do a certain numbering job for the firm
he was given some 40 tons of hay to
be fed to the teams engaged. When he
transferred his contract to George Smith
of Windham he also transferred the hay
II him without reservation. This Of
course made Holden Il Martin liable to
a loss Of several hundred dollars as Mr.
Smith was not legally bound to use the
hay for the purpose intended. The new
owner Of the hay was reached by tele-
phone and he agreed TO come down on
the afternoon train and fix the matter
up. He did so and Mr.. Fairbanks was
released from custody soon after his ar
rival.
The last straw in Mr.. Fairbanks's
troubles was the knowledge which reach
ed him about noon that a sheriff was
waiting for him in Bellows Falls with
another claim, His resources were re-
duced to about 81 and II he was once
more taken into custody his hopes of
western trip would be indefinitely post
poned. The Bellows Falls officer ex-
pected him on the train leaving here at
5.4l as he was informed that Mr. Fair
banks intended 10 take that train. He
did take the train but dropped of at
Westminster. walked across to Walpole,
about "A mile, hired n team there to take
him to South Charestown, and took the
train for Montreal there. 1t is supposed
that he arrived in the bosom of his
family in Montreal and that they started
for the West with about IS for Incl
dental expenses but happy at last having
escaped from the tolls,
The Fellows Falls officer searched the
train, came to Bratteboro and even