New Britain herald., 1917-09-26
Pta1nVllle News
Connect Chester
With LOCAL THEFTS
Officials Believe That He Entered
GleaSOn'S Restaurant
AT LOSS TO PROVE IT

Voting Machines Are Set Up Ready
for Elcction-Will Be Open to Pub
lie for Next Three Days-James
McNally in Auto Smashup
Officials of the town are trying to
connect Edward Chester, who was SEN
fenced to twenty days at the Hartford
county Jail following his arraignment
in the New York police court, with
the five robberies which took place in
the town a few weeks ago. Judging
from the description given by officer
Marine of the man who was almost
caught in the act of absconding with
some eatables from Gleason's lunch
cart, Chester appears to be the long
sought offender However, nothing
definite has been established and it
is not probable that the local officials
will attempt to bring any charges
against him.
After containing a search warrant
yesterday officials searched the room
formerly occupied by Chester in the
hotel Clarendon. Two medical cases
were found, one belonging to DR..
George w. Dalton of New Britain,
which had been missing for several
months. The owner of the other case
has not been identified. Indications
are that Chester committed other
thefts than solved by the finding in
the case.
college student and member of the
class of ~ at Harvard. 1t is believed
by some that he was mentally unbal-
anced by the result of collision in
which an ambulance which he was
driving on the French front figured in
the spring of 1916. He was at the
time a member of a Harvard univer-
sity unit in France. While at college
he took a medical course, but as far
as can be learned, never practiced.
Chester is we'll known in this town,
since his advent here number of
months ago. He was first employed
at the freight station and later at the
Bristol Mfg Co. and the Trumbull
Electric Mfg Co. He is reported as
being a hard and conscientious work.
err.
On his arrival he took up his resi-
dence at the Hotel Clarendon and
until his arrest kept the room which
had been assigned him. During the
months he spent here he became we'll
known and was a familiar figure about
the center.
Last Saturday he presented himself
at the Town hall with the request
that he be made a voter. He stated
that he was married and had two
children living in New Brunswick,
Canada; also that he was resident
of Boston and had lived there prior
to his coming to Plainville. He added
that he had been in the town for six
months or more and in the state over
a year. Officials were ready to ad-
minister the oath when he was asked
where he voted at the last preslden-
tial election. He replied Boston"
In accordance with the law, his right
to be made a voter was then forfeited,
as he was accredited with being
voter in Boston less than twelve
months. He appeared to be peeved
at the decision and insisted that tech
nically he should be given voice in
the coming election. Judge Gaffney
of New Britain was interviewed and
confirmed the decision of the local
men. Nothing further was heard from
him until the time of his arrest in
New Britain for theft.
Getting Ready for Election.
In preparation for election day
which is next Monday, the voting ma
chimes were unpacked this morning
and set up ready for use in the Town
hail. John Lamb, who has been chos-
en- by the board of selectmen this year
to act as mechanic, was in charge of
the work and was assisted by several
helpers.
AS is the custom and law, access to
the machine will be open to the pub
lie for the next three days for the
purpose of instructing residents how
to use the machines. Today Thurs
day and Friday members of the three
different parties will be present to
give instructions. A large share of
the townpeople are able now to use
the machines, having prof1ted by the
experience gained last fall at the pres
idential election.
Saturday the machines will be sealed
until Monday when the mechanic will