“too much married”, Mary the Modoc escaped, intimidated by cats, and “you’re not my husband” highlight the police logs of long ago.

November 30, 1877 – Wednesday was a regular field day at the temple of justice, all the various
crimes from polygamy down being on the docket. The first case called was that of C. A. Starbuck of
Holliston, for being too much married, he having two wives living and not being divorced from one
of them. He plead guilty, but thought there was some extenuating circumstances. The judge not
being able to do justice to the case did not listen to these, but ordered him to find sureties in the
sum of $500 for his appearance at higher court.

November 7, 1879 – Mary McLaughlin, better known as “Mary the Modoc” has “after many days”
been returned to her former secure quarters at the Reformatory Prison for Women at Sherborn,
from which it will be remembered she escaped on the 18th of June, in company with Mary Ann
Corrigan, another frail creature, who was shortly after captured in Providence. The McLaughlin
woman was “spotted” in New Haven by Officer Manning of Worcester, from which city she was
sentenced for nightwalking, and by him arrested, Saturday last. We understand the officer received a
reward of $50 for his work.

November 19, 1880 – Payson & Lindley have been awarded the contract for the completion of the
interior of St. Mary’s Church, to be finished by next Easter.

July 8, 1881 – Three pistol shots were fired Tuesday night in the vicinity of the straw shop. It is
feared that Watchman Sullivan was intimidated. Later – “It was the cats.”

January 13, 1882 – One of the best jokes of the week occurred on Monday evening when one of our
well-known “limbs of the law” drove up to the post-office and alighted from his carriage, leaving his
wife wherein while he went for his mail. On returning he jumped into another carriage other than
his own, and found himself seated beside a lady not his lawful spouse; while his wife was frantically
appealing to him not to elope. At the same time the lady whose sudden escort had surprised her had
presence of mind to inform him that “you are not my husband,” and to still further aggravate the
matter the husband and owner of the aforesaid carriage which had received such an interloper, was
requesting him in language vigorous to “get out of my carriage and let my wife alone.”