New York Jan 31, 91.
Jos. M. Ives Esq.
257 Main St
Danbury, Conn.
Sir.
Our operative J.T. McM. further reports.
Tuesday Jan 27, 91.
After breakfast, I went to the shop of Rundle and White on River st. I had heard last night a rumor of an attempt at fire out that way, on last Friday night. I met Mr Rundle but such a story was news to him. His book-keeper told me to go to Seamans fur shop on Rose Hill (Elm st) and I could get the particulars.
I went to Seamans fur hat shop and met Mr. B.W. Seamans, the proprietor of the shop. It is a small shop, employing only about five or six hands on[.] Elm st runs at right angles with River st for a short distance, then makes a turn over the hill that brings the rear of the Elm st building on to River st.
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Seamans shop is no 87 Elm and he lives at No 97 Elm. His shop is in the rear of No 87, and back of his shop, is a large barn, and at south end of barn, is a wagon shed (open) that runs at right angles with barn, at west end of wagon shed, is a square hole through back of wagon shed, and path leading down into yard of house, formerly occupied by Howard Stevens. the first house south of No 87, is a house occupied by the McCreedy family, Dan McCreedy an ex-convict from Wethersfield living there. Mr Seamans said, “last Friday night I was coming home at about 10.15 p.m. and as I came to lane leading to shop, I thought I would go in. I walked in through land, and as I got about half way down the lane, I heard a noise as if a man had run against the tongue of a double wagon that was under the shed. At once I stopped and looking saw a man go to stable door, and try to push it back. I chanced to be standing on some crust of snow, and my weight broke the crust and made a noise. The man turned and ran under the shed. I waited a few moments to see if he would come out again, but not seeing him, I walked up easy to shed and looking in did not see him, but saw where he had gone through the hole
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at the rear of the wagon shed, and no doubt by the path down to River st. I at first thought it might be Dan McCreedy but was afterwards satisfied it was not. I can only say the man was of medium height, dark suit, dark medium length overcoat, clean shaven, and derby hat. it may have been, that the man was only trying to get into barn to sleep. the barn is owned by a Mr. Sturtevant. A barn on the spot where this shop now stands was burned a few years ago. I might know the man if I were to see him again, he was a stranger to me.”
I went out and looked at barn and wagon shed. the snow storm of last Sunday had so covered up every thing, that no trace could be found.
I went to Huras saloon where I met Mr. James Porter. I had a drink with him, he asked me to see Fred De Klyne, the baker on Main st near Liberty st in regard to a man, that had been seen out Deerhill ave last Friday night.
I at once went to Mr De Klyne’s Bakery, and saw De Klyne. He said he had only heard a rumor of a man being seen, it was told by his nurse girl Lizzie Barry, that he would see her this noon, get the facts from her, and asked me to call again at 4 p.m.
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I then set out to look for Sleepy Gaylor. I made search through White st and through Bartley’s court in company with Officer Dittma[r]. I found where Gaylor lives, but there was no one at home. I learned that sometimes Gaylor worked for the Housatonic R.R. as a “wiper” that the week before last he was working, but was not this week. I went down through the yard, and about the Engine house, but could not find him. I was told that it was just as likely as not Gaylor might be out on the Road somewhere as he often took trips out that way. Jack Stringer who is claimed saw Darrigan take the waste and matches out of Gaylors pocket, was out with his Engine, and I could not see him until tomorrow.
After dinner, I wrote up my report to the present time, after that I went to McPhelemys where I waited to meet McCarty. he said he in company with Darrigan, watched from Darrigan’s house till 2 a.m. but did not see the man spoken of. I had a drink and cigar with Mccarty, after which I went to Fred De Klyne’s bakery, and saw him. He gave me the name of Jack Barry who lived in the last house on Deerhill ave. Jack said he saw the man on Sunday night, and could tell me all about it.
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I then started out and walked to Barry’s house. it is at the farther end of Deerhill ave, at the foot of the hill, on the way out. I met Jim Flynn the young man I saw last night. He said “the man he saw on Monday night was the “Special”. he is watching that crazy man McNab.”
I got to Barry’s house at 5.45p.m. and waited a short time for Jack Barry to come from the hat shop. I questioned him about the man he saw on Sunday night. He said he had since found out that the man he saw, was the “Special Policeman” stationed at Deerhill ave and Wilson. But this was not the person that his sister saw, that I could see her at Mr De Klyne’s house tomorrow and she could give me a description of the man that followed her.
Yours Resp[]
Pinkerton Nat. Dect Agy
Robt. A. Pinkerton
Genl Supt Ediv.
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