Police Log: 1892 – 1894

With 20 pounds of lard, you could make a slide from Jasper Hill to the Hollis Hotel.

September 12, 1892 – Saturday morning a thief stole two ten pound tubs of lard from Kitteridge’s team in front of the American House.

This Superintendent was overpaid or on the take.

December 2, 1892 – Last evening Officer Lowe of Ashland, accompanied by the superintendent of the factory, went to Holliston looking for two young men who had stolen his overcoat worth $48.00 (thast’s $1,700 today). The assistance of Officer Curran of Holliston was secured and a visit made to all the hotels and boarding houses, and their search was rewarded by finding them both in bed at S. Verity’s on Church street.

Good thing cheap popup tents were not yet invented.

December 10, 1892 – We hear numerous complaints concerning the tramp nuisance.  Yesterday one family was burdened with four callers of this species, and eleven passed the night in the hotel under the town house.

Same thing happened @ the 2024 town meeting.

March 7, 1893 – At town meeting no money was voted for prosecution of liquor laws.

This was one bad dude.

Holliston, March 20, 1893. – As the result of domestic infelicity and poor whiskey, William A. Barrows was arrested by Officer Curran at his house at 4 o’clock Sunday morning, for an aggravated assault on his wife, between 1 and 2 o’clock, whereby her life is despaired of, he having in a fit of rage and intoxication thrown a lighted lamp at her, which, breaking, enveloped her in flame and seriously burning her body  above her waist.  She had in her arms a three-months’ old child, who was also injured. 

May 2, 1893 – Mrs. W.A. Barrows died at 3 o’clock this morning from the result of the burns caused by her husband throwing a lighted lamp at her.  The medical attendance on the Barrows woman cost  $150. 

You have arrested the wrong Feehely.

April 8, 1893 – The Richard Feehely, who was spoken of in Wednesday’s News, as having been escorted to the lockup, was a resident of Exchange street and should not have been mistaken for denizens of Mechanics street, bearing the same name.

How to become police chief in 1893.

In connection with the exciting episode in the square Tuesday evening, when Patrick Mahar flourished his revolver with such freedom, the credit of the first man to tackle him belongs to T.P. Coughlin, who, though not an officer, fearlessly seized Pat, while nearly everybody else seemed paralyzed at the serious outlook.  His friends will surely run him at the next town election for chief of police, as a fitting reward for his heroism then displayed.

Hit & Run on Central – no plate number taken.

June 2, 1893 – A rapidly driven team owned by Mr. Furlong of East Holliston and driven by his son, ran into Miss Hattie Chaplain yesterday.  She was riding on her bicycle at the head of Central street.  She was thrown and somewhat stunned but recovered after her removal to S.O. Thomson’s house, where Dr. Hutchinson was called.  It was a narrow escape and the driver of the team is deserving of much censure for his conduct.  He did not even stop after the accident but drove rapidly away.

Holliston has improved somewhat since then.

August 17, 1894 – The case in court Monday from Holliston was a sad commentary on modern civilization.  Two female persons and three males arrested in such a drunken and debauched condition as these were, reminds us of what lowness it is possible for human beings to fall into with the use of intoxicating liquor.  That Holliston legalizes its sale is no credit to the good old town.