The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1919-01-16
MADISON STORE BREAK
SUNDAY A. N.
20 to $50 In Cash Taken

The store of Samuel Minsky in
Madison was burglarized, sometime
between midnight, Saturday, and
eight o'clock Sunday morning. The
thief seems to have taken what cash
he could find, but very little If any
thing in merchandise. The proprie-
tor was first notified of the break by
two boys, Willett and Champaign,
aged about IL and Is, who came to
his home to say that they had found
the store door open. One Of these
boys had previously worked for
Minsky in school vacation, and he was
told to go back and watch the store.
On Mr.. Minsky's arrival he found the
money gone from the Salvation Army
collection box from both his cash reg
listers, and from the cash box on the
automatic piano player. Mr.. Minsky
had taken a good deal of pride in
calling the attention of his customers
to the Salvation Army collection, and
this box must have contained about
$40. The total cash which had dis
appeared would aggregate about $26
chiefly in coins. Deputy Sheriff
Elmer A. Adams was at once notified
and made an examination Of the
premises. Sheriff Mooers arrived in
town at $50 and made supplement
airy investigation. On conference
with five we'll known business men Of
Madison, who were customers at the
store late Saturday evening, it de-
veloped that the sixth man, stranger
did not go out when the others did,
at closing time. This was import
ant, because careful study or the
premises showed that the thief did
not break in from the outside. Upon
the theory that this stranger must
have concealed himself, as he could
readily have done in the cellar or in
the rear of the establishment, war
rant was sworn out for his arrest,
and he was soon apprehended by
deputy sheriff Adams. He gave his
name as George Campbell. He is
apparently 40 years of age. Camp
bel, stated that he was at work for
the Great Northern Paper Co. and
that he had previously lived in ELS
worth and was we'll known there.
At the hearing, which occurred be-
fore Trial Justice Withee, Tuesday
afternoon, the state was represented
by county attorney Edward F. Mer-
rill. while James Thorne, Esq. Of
Madison was counsel for the defend
ant. The five men already mention
ed testified to the fact of the strang-
crs being in the store and not leaving
at the time they did. Night watch
+. l.. Perkins told of trying the door
at the Minsky store at l o'clock and
finding it locked, this seeming to fix
the robbery at some time subsequent
10 tHdl Mi. DCiuWu OhS ~
the five Madison citizens already re-
ferred to, also testified that about $3.50
on Sunday morning he saw Campbell
standing In the Minsky doorway
Campbell testified that he did not
leave his boarding place until about
IL o'clock Sunday forenoon. He also
brought in a witness claiming to be
roommate, who said that Campbell
came in between IL and o'clock. The
respondent was bound over for trial
before the Grand Jury, which will as
semble January 2Sth, and is at pres
ent out on bail.
Much credit is due to sheriff Mooers
and deputy sheriff Adams for the
prompt and efficient manner in which
they conducted the Investigations in
this case. The citizens of Madison
and Of Somerset county may feel GER
tain that other instances of this kino
will receive prompt and thorough at
tention.