Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-08-13

Agency, practically one third was In con-
nection with the Investigation of the
mysterious death of Eugene Il. Carr, who
was found dead by the roadside in Hart
ford, Vt, october LIST, 1912, and in the
Investigation of State VS.. Drown charged
with the crime of Rape Practically all
of this expense occurred before the pre-
sent encouragement took the office but
was paid afterward
In all seven matters In Windsor Coun-
ty including those above referred to have
been the subject OF investigation by the
Wood-Morgan Agency. OF these in one
case On Re Eugene f. Carr no prose-
c,nion was Instituted. In one case In
Re Drown n mol pros was entered. The
other five investigations resulted in pros
ecutions and convictions. In three SEN
tence was to the state Prison, one to the
House of Correction one to the County
Jail. In each Of two cases a fine of three
hundred dollars and costs was imposed
and collected.
The most important matter Investigate
ed in Windsor County was that of the
death of Frank j. Toby of Woodstock,
whose dead body was found in corn
field near Woodstock village about one
month after his death. This matter was
Investigated by the Wood Morgan Detec-
tive Agency. In connection with this
case the States Attorney of Windsor
County under date of May 18th, 1914
wrote the Wood Morgan Agency as fol-
| lows:-
The finding of the body Of Frank
Toby in a corn field in Woodstock VT,
under circumstances which warranted the
belief that he had come to his death by
foul means was a most battling mystery.
| l held an inquest at which l examined
siXty-thrce witnesses. This inquest de-
velope1 the fact that the last man seen
with him was George w. Briggs. who
was in q team with Toby apparently
headed for White River Junction w.
at quarter past ten on the evening of
August 18th. Briggs committed perjury
at the inquest so | had him arrested on
that charge and he was held in Jail for
| the December term under ten thousand
dollars bonds. | was convinced that he
either killed Toby or knew who did, but
could find no evidence beyond the fact
that he was with Toby at the hour
aforesaid If there ever was case that
warranted the assistance of trained de-
tectives this was one and with the con-
sent of the encouragement I employ
ed your agency and received from You
very efficient service. After most care
full investigation it became apparent to
us all that the only way to clear up the
mystery was to secure q confession from
Briggs. and your operative Mr.. Stearns,
with the assistance of officer j. H. ODER
and other County officials, skillfuly OBJ
tanned this result The confession of
Briggs made the crime manslaughter and
the State under the circumstances was
Obliged to accept this plea
The above is n fair and unprcidiced
statement regarding this case Briggs is
now serving sentence in the State Prison.
Another important matter In connec-
ton with which detective service was used
was the Investigation of the escape of
one Patrick MCGOWAN from the State
Prison with the assistance of one Laura
Osmere. MCGOWAN was finally returned
to the state Prison and Laura Osmere
who assisted in his escape was prosecut-
ed in Windsor County Court and SEN
fenced to serve not less than one and
ia half years and not more than two
years in the House of Correction.
The case In Re Charles Batchelder was
also investigated by an operative of the
Wood-Morgan Agency. Three indict-
ments We're found against this respon-
dent. one for obtaining funds by use of n
fraudulent check and two for embezzle-
ment. To each of these indictments the
respondent pleaded guilty
A small cXDense was also made II, .bo
case of State VS.. Gerling This man was
an old offender and had passed fraudu-
lent checks in several different counties
IN this state. He was convicted in
Windsor County and is serving sentence
in the State Prison.
In view Of the serious nature of the
matters investigated and the results OBJ
tanned, it is believed that no lust cri-
ticism can be made regarding the use
OF detective service in Windsor County.
Respectfully,
r. E. BROWN