New Britain herald., 1925-04-07
Muncie Policemen Civ en Major Share of Credit For Arrest of Gerald Chapman In That City.
Baglin, Volunteer Witness for Defense, No Longer Manager of Store on Stanley Street.

bV"ASy. 0tAVVt
 Neither Chief ". c. Hart or De- tective Sergeant W. P. McCue have decided whether they will make ap- plication for the rewards offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the murderer of Policeman James skelly in this city on October IF. 1924. There was . price of $3,5oo, $s,ooo of which was offered by the state and $500 by the New Britain Herald, on the head of the patrolman's assassin, who, a jury decided last Saturday, was Gerald Chapman, in addition to $500 which the federal authorities had offered for the arrest of Chapman as an escaped convict.
 These two officials did without question furnish information which was of assistance in bringing about the capture of the famous bandit. Whether they will share in the re- wards will likely depend on the attitude of the court which will un- doubtedly be called upon to decide how 1t will be distributed. There is also possibility that County Detective Hickey will be counted in with those who get the money. The New Britain officials are in- clined to give the major part of the credit to the Muncie policemen, who actually placed Chapman under ar rest and they feel that the latter are entitled to large part if not all of the reward.
 The belated story of how Chap mans capture was effected came to light today through the discussion of rewards. When Detective Sergeant William P. McCue of this city mo- ticed an express tag on which was written the address of Dr. Harry Spickerman Of Muncle, Indiana, pasted on the bottom Of a bag sup posed to have been owned by Chap man, the information was relayFd to the Muncie police. Before Chapmau's arrest, Ben Hance Of. Wheaton, Ind, who was a witness for the state in the Chapman trta.. was arrested at Muncie for law violation. When he was taken to police headquarters he noticed picture of Chapman on the wall
 T know that fellow" he said. He has boarded at my house."
 ere tY. Iat know" Captain Puckett of the Muncie police replied.
 "Tom Miller" In Town
 A few days before Chapman was caught, Hance's son came into the house and remarked: T saw Tom on the street today" Chapman was known to Hance as From Miller" Hance communicated with the Mum cie authorities and on the informa- tion he gave them, coupled with the tip on Dr. Spickerman's address from New Britain, Captain Puckett detailed Detective Collins to watch the Spickerman place. Taking up his lookout in a hotel opposite the Spickerman address, Collins was re- warded by seeing Chapman come out. About this time Collins was joined by Captain Puckett. The lat ter, with other detectives, boarded an automobile and trailed Chapman while Collins followed on foot. .Chapman's arrest quickly followed.
 It is probable that, as the result of all round cooperation, the New Brit ain police department, the Muncle police and Hance will share in the reward. It is not likely that the court will determine to whom the reward is to go until all appeals in the Chapman case have been taken and disposed of. The $500 offered by the federal government for the capture of Chapman will be dis tributed by the department of jus tice.
 Baglin Leaves Grocery Store
 Arthur ". Baglin of SS6 Stanley street, volunteer witness in behalf of the defense in the Chapman trial has severed his connection with the Economy Grocery Co.,, it was learned today. It Is being rumored that his testimony was responsible for this action. Mir. Baglin, when questioned today, said that he was taking a vacation" and would deny any re. port that he had been discharged Inquiry at the store at the corner of Stanley and Pleasant streets of which Mir. BagIin was formerly man ager, tended 10 prove the rumor. for 1t was learned there that he was not in and would not he back. Tt + thought that this action was taker through the Bristol district office anf not through the main office at Water bury
 Mfr Baglin offered himself as a witness in behalf Of Chapman on th, ground that Officer Alfred F.. AtNat CT, who identified the bandit as the murderer Of officer James Skelly. had told him he could not identin the gunman. He voluntarily wrote to Chapman's counsel and was later called to the stand to contradict Al water whose testimony was thereby discounted by the jury.
 Chapman In Prison Garb.
 Chapman, dressed in the regula. ton prison garb. for which he for sock his neatly tailored clothing fol lowing his conviction Saturday for thes murder of Patrolnan James Skellv on Ocfoher IF I1s1 fs re