Instead of just stealing some milk Ernest Mullet stole the whole milk machine!

Officer, I need a new mattress

Holliston, January 3, 1900. – The town of Holliston was all excitement yesterday afternoon, when it became known that an attempt had been made to burn the lockup.  Nor did it end here for it seems that the would-be destroyer had previously terrorized Miss Smith, one of the teachers at the high school building, and what else would have happened had it not been for the timely arrival if an officer, it is not known.  

Patrick Ferriter is the name of the man who caused all the trouble and it is believed he is a tramp.

It is said that Ferriter used abusive and improper language to Miss Smith, who becoming alarmed summoned the janitor of the building, who is also an officer.  He took the man into custody and placed him in the lockup.  After the man had been safely lodged in there he was searched and on his person was found a razor and some matches.

It is evident that the officers did not succeed in locating all the matches in the man’s possession however, for later in the afternoon smoke was seen issuing from the cell house and on investigation showed that the prisoner had torn a hole in the mattress in the cell, and pulling out the excelsior set fire to it.  The fire, although it was rapidly gaining headway, was quickly extinguished and prisoner and building were none the worse for the escapade.  Had the fire not been discovered so quickly, however, it is easy to imagine what might have been the result.

SPCA?

January 18, 1900 – Officer Robbins had occasions to order a junk peddler to relieve his overladen horse of a portion of his load, recently, in the interest of the society with the long name.

January 22, 1900 – Lyman Ruyman of Medway was fined $15 which he paid in the first district court Saturday on the charge of cruelty to animals.  January 15, he drove a horse from Ashland to Holliston that was not fit for use and the long named society got after him.  He is a junk dealer.

March 14, 1900. — The B. & A. depot here was broken into last night, and an unsuccessful attempt made to force the safe.

The burglar proof safe, however, proved too much for them, and only a few pennies were taken from the ticket drawer.

Is this law still on the books?

NO TRESPASSING WILL BE ALLOWED ON GRAPE ISLAND, LAKE WINTHROP, AFTER THIS DATE UNDER PENALTY OF THE LAW. 

It’s been a while since this has happened in Holliston

May 22, 1900 – Monday forenoon Ernest Mullett stole a cow from P.F. Leland’s pasture on the Tondorf farm, and went to A.F. Shippee’s and tried to sell it, later calling on C.W. Berry for the same purpose, failing to effect a sale. In the meantime the animal was missed, and trace of the thief being discovered employees of Mr. Leland, with officers, went in pursuit. Mr. Hardy, with officer Robbins, caught him as he was coming out of the yard of Mr. Berry with the cow.