Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-10-14
Cauaht 10 &c own Trap.

Caught in His Own Trap.
Lucius Webb OF East Granville carries
bland smile and a soft voice, but for all
that he is not the easy mark that GER
tain party down in Massachusetts took
him TO be. Lucius hasn't served two
terms in the Vermont legislature without
cutting his eye teeth, and, like Joshua
Whitcomb, he "reads the papers,
Last week Monday night, Mr. Webb at
East Granville received a telegram, re-
layed BY telephone from Randolph, ask
ing him to send $50 in care OF the gener-
al delivery at the Springfield, Mass, post
office. II was signed, Dewitt Q. Webb,
who is the elder son OF lucius. When
the father got this message he sat down
and pondered few moments. Dewitt is
a lieutenant in the United States navy,
located temporarily at Charlestown,
Mass. He draws a comfortable salary
and Lucius couldn't figure out why be
should be in Springfield, Mass, "hroke."
Dewitt has never impressed his family
and friends as a high roller who would be
likely to wire home to dad for funds
when he had spent his last nickel.
Getting more interested and puzzled,
Mr.. Webb called up Charlestown, Mass,
and had no difficulty 10 reaching Dewitt,
who assured his father that he still had
eightpence or so in his jeans, hadn't been
in Springfield and didn't known any
thing about The mysterious call for help
sent on in his name. The Webbs put
their heads together and decided to get
look at the impostor il possible. They
communicated with Postoffice Inspector
nafa hl hQ an hand
Last Thursday the inspector stationed
himself at the Springfield, Mass. post
Office ready. TO apprehend the spurious De-
Witt @. Webb when he should appear.
After wait OF several hours, the man
called for his mail and got only a postal
card from Amherst, signed by "Bertha
and Edward" The writing resembles
that OF the swindler. and 1t is supposed
that he wrote himself postal from Am
herst in order that be might identify
himself should his $50 come in a postal
money order as requested in the telegram
he sent Mr.. Webb.
The inspector placed the man under ar
rest and proceeded to march him to the
police station. Once the prisoner made
sudden effort to wrench himself away
from the officer without success. At the
station he said his name is George II.
Webb and that he knows Dewitt Webb
He said he got hard up and thought his
scheme would be an easy way to get
money. He had 81 in his pockets when
arrested. On trial for fraudulent use of
the mails, he pleaded guilty and was
fined 800. He could not raise the fine
ana will be confined in jail at Springfield
for three months. The police have
learned that the prisoner is supposed to
be several different men by the police OF
other cities. "Webb" is believed to be a
man who came into some prominence at
summer hotels in Bradford, VT, last sum-
mer.nnder the name Of William Adams.
The chief of police OF Concord, \. H.,
is fairly positive that the fellow is man
named Thompson, and claims that be was
brought hack from California several
years ago for forgery in that city. The
Springfield police have taken "Webb's"
picture for their Bertillon records, and
] the pictures will be circulated in order
I that police OF other cities may learn il the
fellow is wanted for other crimes.