New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1917-02-07
SUSPECTED SPY IS
ASLEEPY WORKMAN
CraWled Into 7. & H. Factory for
Nights Rest

Unwlndlng red tape and dock
ing" of the pay envelope is a fire.
quent occurrance for factory en-
ployes who do not get to the time
clock at the specified time but oc-
caslons are rare where such procedure
is necessary for an employee getting
10 work ahead of time. John Becker,
employc of the Traut & Hine Manu-
featuring company. has the distinc-
ton of being the exception to the gem
eral rule, caused a man hunt through
the factory buildings shortly after
midnight and was found using one
OF the rooms as a hotel because, as
he explained to Judge James T. Mes
| kill in police court today, it was too
| tate to go home and he wanted to
be at work bright and early this
morning. The technical charge was
intoXication which cost him a fine of
So and costs and the loss Of. at least
| half days ~. ::
Becker, it appeared from the testi-
mony, was in the company of con-
genial companions last night until it
! came closing time for the poor
mems clubs.' 1t was when he en-
Lountered frosty night air that he
decided to quietly get into the fac
tory building and sleep in warm
place until awakened by the o'clock
whistle. Unfortunately for him, the
night fireman saw his dim form
skulking through the boiler room,
recognized that it was no time for help
to come to work and notified Night
Waterman Peter Lambert. Not
knowing whether he had a spy or
some. desperate to deal with. Lam
bert started a search and. finally,
found Becker fast asleep in a side
room on the fourth floor with key
of emery against the door so as not
to be disturbed. Becker was indig..
nant over being disturbed but Lam
bert was taking no chances and called
for assistance from police headquar-
tiers. Policemen Michael Meehan and
Gustaye Hellberg were sent out and
gave Becker a free patrol ride to a
nice warm cell.
Admits Theft of Clothing.
Pleading guilty to the theft of
clothing, valued at more than $35,
from Charles S. Morehead of rear So
Arch street, Sidney A. Pagan, col.
ored, of New York city. was fined $50
and costs at continued hearing.
Similar charges against his wife were
nolled as it was testified that she
knew nothing about the theft until
the clothing was recovered in the
baggage room at the New Haven rail-
road station by Detective A. j. Rich
ardson. At the first hearing, both
pleaded not guilty and stuck to their
denial of any knowledge of it until
the trunk containing the clothing was
located With this evidence, Detec-
tive Sergeant Samuel Bamforth and
Detective Richardson visited Pagan in
| Jail and secured a confession.
After court, Mrs. Pagan, bride of
| less than six months, emphatically de-
| c1ared that she was through with the
| one whose name she bears, that sus-
| pected nothing until confronted with
proof of his guilt and was glad that
she had found him out this early. She
| expressed her intention of returning
! to her home in Guilford and was glad
| to get rid of Pagan. Reminded OF
her six months of. married life, she
was emphatic that 1t was six months
| too much. Morehead apologized fol
! having her arrested and insisted upor
| paying her railroad fare to Guilford
| Pagan, in his defense, made a strong
plea for leniency, said that he has {
position in New York and does no
| know why he stole the clothing ant
| would never do anything like tina
| again. Since his marriage he hat
been working as painter In the rail
| road arcade until a short time before
his arrest. With his wife, he hat
| lived at the Morehead apartments.