Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-28
Gain Entrance by Smashing the
Plate Glass in the Front Door
With an Iron Bar
HELP THEMSELVES TO AN
OUTFIT OF CLOTHING, ETC.
Small Amount of Money Also
Taken-Thieves Also Pay a
Visit to Hallowell After Leav-
ing Augusta

The discovery that burglars had
paid a visit to Augusta was made Sat
urday morning when it was found
that the clothing store of J. j. Maher
at 70 Water street had been entered
sometime during the previous night
and cIothing and other articles taken,
just of what value has not yet been
determined. Thus far no clue which
would lead to the identity of the
thieves has been secured.
The break was evidently made with
an iron bar which had been sharpen
ed at one end. An attempt was found
to have been made on the cellar door
on the east side of the building, and
failing in this the thieves went around
to the main entrance on Water street,
where they tried to spring the lock of
the door by means of the bar. Here
they were again foiled, and taking the
bar they smashed the heavy plate
glass panel of the south half of the
door, then by reaching through the
aperture they released the bolts at
the top and bottom of the north half
of the door and in that way gained
an entrance.
Once inside they proceeded to help
themselves to what they wanted,
which was evidently clothing. They
tried on several mackinaws until they
found two to fit, and took them. They
also ransacked one of the show cases
and strewed the gloves around in their
endeavor to get some that suited them,
doing the same with some heavy un-
derclothing on the next counter, some
OF which it is supposed they took along
with the gloves Whether or not they
took other articles of clothing could
not be determined Saturday.
After getting the clothing they
turned their attention to MIR. Makers
private office which is located in the
northeast corner at the rear end OF
the store and as this was locked they
again, used their iron bar in gaining
an entrance, the marks made by the
bar showing plainly as they had on
the other doors tried. Once in the Of
fee they ransacked two drawers on
top of the desk, strewing the contents
about. and in the course of their
: search found an envelope which con-
tanned a sum Of money, which they APP
propriated They however, overlooked
a lady's gold watch Which was In the
same drawer with the money Ihey
also tried to open the safe with the
bar but failed.
Just what time the break was made
is not known, but as Night 0fhcef
Cloutier according to custom, shook
the doors of the several stores iocat-
ed in the Edwards block at 10 sat
urday morning and everything was all
right at that time, it was later than
that. 1t is supposed that the break
was made at the time that one or the
two Pulmans which leave Augusta
shortly after A. Nj. was passing over
the overhead bridge, else the smashing
of the glass would have been heard.
Mrs. Anger, who lives over the store,
and who was up several times that
night ON account of suffering from
the rheumatism, heard footsteps IN
the store some time, according TO her
belief. after midnight, but did not
think much of ii at the time.
II is believed that the thieves after
leaving the store made their way 10
Hallowell, as a break was also maue
there Friday night in the Noel sleeves
store and where ii is understood tnat
suit cases were taken. And the oeile1
that the same parties made the TWO
breaks is strengthened by the 1act
that at the Hallowell store an iron
bar was left. which was probably the
same one used in Augusta 1t Is
thought that the thieves used IN their
raid either a team or an automoblie.
CITY Marshal Colgan was hotliied
Saturday morning of the break ana at
once communicated by telephone Win
the police authorities of NUMBER OF
cities and towns to be on the lookou.
but ND to Sunday night had received
no information that would be OF val
ne He has. however. picked up TWO
stra gers who had been loafing about
the city for several days and is mold
ing them pending All inquiry regarding
their recent whereabouts and Where
they came from.