Perth Amboy evening news., 1921-09-23
[RREST LOCAL man FOR PLOT TO ROB COURT HOUSE
OF LIQUOR; REPORT OFFICIALS ARE TO BE QUESTIONED
SDofford Freed in Bail
After Story Of Plot IS
Told by Police Officer

tween Assistant Prosecutor John Z
Toolan and Police Chief Michael
O'Connell, this morning. this officer
was standing in front of the Lerox
lunch room on Paterson street when
he noticed an auto with two men in
1t go by. The officer obtained the
number of this car. Later on, the
officer relates. he saw the same sar
with four men in it. and the auto
mobile stopped at the court house
Officer Curran said he was unable
20 identify any of the men in the
car. but noticed two alight from the
automobile and start toward the real
entrance of the court house.
Found Door Open
The two men, the officer relates
carried something with them. Ac.
cording to Officer Curran's story the
automobile drove away as he ap-
preached. and he went to the rear
of the court house. found the door
open and discovered a quantity of
tins and other material The OFF,
Ger Immediately decided to report
the matter to the night sergeant, and
going between the Jail and court
house he noticed Henry Bach, night
keeper in the county jail Bach, 1t is
said, called to him from window
the officer declares, was standing at
the last window in the northeast cor
ner of the jail overlooking the rear
of the court house.
There was a man with Bach. Of.
ficer Curran reports, and this man
later was identified as Spofford.
Later when officers Curran and Will
liam Savage returnedto stay on
watch at the court house. Spoford
was seen to come out from between
the buildings and turn down Paterson
street to the corner of George street.
| Officer Curran followed him and at
the corner Spofford was talking with
| Officer John Bates. Bates. it is said,
introduced Spofford to Officer Cur
ran as a man from California who
wanted to talk to Curran.
| According to Curran's story. Spof-
| ford wanted to make a deal with
Curran. to steal the ewtney-four bar
rels of grain alcohol from the base
ment of the court house at the rate
of one barrel a night. Curran claims
he was offered one-third of the pro-
| ceeds.
In reporting the occurrences OF
early this morning Officer Currar
goes on to say that after all the al
cohol had been taken from the bar
rels they could be set afire. This
practically means that the court
house would be sent up in flames.
Officer Curran relates that he indi-
Gated to Spofford that he was doubt
full who Spofford might be.
Spofford, it is said, brought Curran
back to the county Jail where he
met Charles Blue, another night
keeper. Blue, according to Curran,
said Spofford was all right. Due tc
the fact that it was kind of late to
start anything last night Spofford
gave his address to officer Curran,
Room 18. Albany Hotel. New Bruins
wick, and asked that the officer come
to his room later today to discuss the
matter.
Officer Curran Immediately got In
touch with Chief O'Connell and in
stead of making arrangements to
pull off the deal, the officer went to
the hotel and placed Spofford under
arrest. He was ordered held for a
hearing before Recorder Tindell at
1870 o'clock this afternoon.
Spofford, it is said, made crack
that it was easy for him to get into
the court house, as he has a key for
every door, Assistant Prosecutor
John f. Toolan this morning de-
manded tLat a, rigid investigation of
the case be made. Chief O'COnnell
will see If any of his officers are i'm
plicated in the alleged plan, and
Sheriff Elmer Wyckoff will investi-
gate the cases of two of his jailers.
1t is possible that the arrest of
two or three New Brunswick men
will follow today and the suspension
of possibly one New Brunswick
police officer and the county jail
keepers may result from the inves-
tigation being carried on at the
county seat.
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