Police Log for April – October, 1903

HOLLISTON OFFICERS BREAK UP COCKFIGHT

Crowd of 100 Sports Surprised Sunday Morning and About 25 Names Taken

April 20, 1903 – Officers James Davoren, Amos Robbins, Arthur Harriman and George Hart of Holliston, accompanied by Selectmen Wm. P. Kingsbury and Benj. F. Wayne of that town, swooped down on a cock fight in the Braggville woods near the “red house,” Sunday morning, and struck terror into the hearts of about 100 sports, who surrounded the pit. 

At the sight of the officers the sports were panic stricken and a stampede followed, teams, birds, beer and all other concomitants of a cock fight being left behind in the wild scramble of the crowd to escape. 

May 18, 1903 – Sunday afternoon officers Hart, Harriman, Holmes, Fairbanks and Davoren made a descent on a resort in the woods at Braggville near the railroad station, where it was said Henry Jefferds and his wife, known as Linda Seriac, with several others, were holding a high carnival of debauch. The officers arrested Mr. and Mrs. Jefferds and a West Medway man and are looking for another, who escaped. Jefferds has just returned from a sojourn in the Worcester jail and his wife has served many sentences in various jails of the state. 

“RED HOUSE” RAIDED

Holliston Officers visit to Braggville Resort and Find Liquors and Women

June 14, 1903 – Saturday night, armed with a search warrant, officer Hart, Davoren, McBurney, Moody, Holmes of Holliston visited the locality in Braggville known as the “Red House,” arriving soon after midnight.  The officers were unsuspectingly admitted as visitors to the ranch, where they found a large stock of liquors and five female inmates

C.W. Smith was arrested as the alleged proprietor, but later was bailed out. Contrary to the usual experience on a Saturday night, no evidence of an incriminating character was found against the women and they were not molested. Enough evidence was obtained by officers which will tend to close the “resort” for a time, at least.

Kitty Miller, who claimed to run the house, also promised the officers to quite the place and go to other pastures.  She said she bought the house and its “good will” from its former proprietor for $700, and she now figures herself a $1000 loser.

FIRE AT THE RED HOUSE

Holliston, October 7, 1903 – The notorious “Red House” located in West Holliston, near the Hopkinton town line, was burned to the ground Wednesday night about  ten o’clock.  The inmates are reported to have barely escaped with their lives and a scant supply of clothing.