New York Feby 3, 91.
Jos. M. Ives Esq.
257 Main St
Danbury, Conn.
Sir.
Our operative J.T. McM. further reports.
Saturday Jan 31, 91.
Today in Danbury.
After breakfast, I mailed my reports. I then received telephone from J.M. Ives to call on him at 10.30 a.m.
I called upon Mr Ives, and gave him a brief of what I had thus far learned, and remained with him until 11.40 a.m. talking over the matter, and receiving further instructions.
After dinner, I walked over to the vicinity of the New England freight house for the purpose of watching how young Frank Gaylord done his work, and the quantity of waste and oil he took away. I did not see him up till 3.15 p.m. and I returned to Hotel. While there I received a telephone message to call
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Upon Mr Ives, at his store which I did and received further instructions.
I went to the New York and New England R.R. freight depot, where I met Mr Pierce the Freight Agent. I made enquiry of him regarding Frank Gaylord. He said he knew nothing about him, but referred me to Mr Hogan the supervisor of the Road.
I called on Mr Hogan, he said in answer to my questions, regarding Gaylord, that Gaylord was employed by him as switch lighter on Nov 22 1890, at a salary of $1.84 per week. He knew but very little about him, only that he could say that he never had any complaints, but that he had done his work, that Wm Bartman [Bartram] at the White st crossing could give me full information about him, and all his duties, and Mr Bartram was the man that had charge of him. I then went with Mr Hogan to the gatemans house and saw Mr Bartram, and returned to Mr Hogan’s office with him, where he made a statement.
I called on Mr Walter H. Stiles 47 White st. who keeps a large “general store”. On enquiry of him regarding Gaylord he said, “Where you cannot say any thing good of a person, there is no use in saying any thing bad. He never worked regular for me, he hung around the store. I would not say that he would steal but we have missed articles while he was here, and
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I should not place any great confidence in his word. Any way I do not want to say any thing about him. He is a funny fellow and does not account to much”[.]
I tried to get Mr Stiles to make some pointed statement but he would not. I told him that I would call on him again. I returned to the Hotel.
At 7.10 p.m. McCarty came to see me. I told him that he could discontinue his work, and that when I wanted him again I would let him know. He said that he was broke, and asked me if I could let him have two (2) dollars. I gave him the amount. He has put in eight and one half days (8 ½) which the Mayor will pay him for. I was instructed by the Mayor to hire the young man, and he would see that he was paid.
I can say for the young man that he has been very faithful in his work. He was at work last night over near New England track where I saw him on out look for suspicious persons.
It not began to rain quite hard when I went up town. I first went to McPhelemey’s saloon, where I had drink and a cigar. I then went as far as Meekers feed store, saw young Gaylord on street in front of Guitys saloon. I went into saloon thinking that Gaylord would
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come in. I remained there 35 minutes and had there drink and a cigar. Gaylord did not come in. I went out say Gaylord was still in front of feed store.
At 8.15 p.m. Gaylord went into his house and I then left, it raining at this time quite hard. I went to Hull + Porters store where I men Mr. Porter. he had no news for me. I met there Sergt Waggoner who asked me to call at the “Station” at 11 p.m. and he would talk with me. I then went with Mr Porter to Hurds saloon where I remained a short time, and had several drinks. I then remained about town until 11.15 p.m. when I went to the Police station where I had a talk with Sergt Waggoner. I questioned him as to how long the warrant for the arrest for Darragan [Derrigan],had been in the office. He said it had been laying in the office for some time, but that he did not know if Keating had seen the young man or not, during the time.
In regard to Edward Jenne he said he had got from reliable source that Jenne was never in Chicago, that he was born in Danbury, but had worked for some time in Bridgeport, at his trade as a wire worker. He also knew Frank Gaylord but did not know any thing bad of him, never heard any thing that connected his name with the fires.
In regard to the Ives Court fires he
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Felt convinced that James Dillon and Burt Cotrell were the parties connected with that fire, for they came into the station house about 25 minutes after the fire, with some oil waste, and their hands were all oil. They claimed to have found the waste in the Leonard building back of the Ives Court.
Dillon is at present out under $500- bail for Highway robbery. He seems to be an especial favorite of Capt Keating also as is Burt Cotrell. Cotrell is claimed to act as “stool” for Keating. Cotrell has been arrested several times for theft, drunks, and breach of the peace. He in company with Jim Dillon done up a barber in Dillons saloon some time ago, took $90 away from him, and fled to New York. After they had spent the money they came back here, but nothing was done. Some time ago a man named George Meed was arrested for burglary and jewelry [too] was found in the money till of Mrs Dillons, at her saloon on Ives st and among the other things was found was a fire key. It was found by tracing the key by the number on it, that it was one that was assigned to Capt Keating. Keating has always denied that it was his key, yet he has no key to show.
I remained with Sergt Waggoner until 1.10 a.m. when I returned to the Hotel.
Yours Resp[]
Pinkerton Nat. Dect Agy
Robt. A. Pinkerton
Genl Supt Ediv.
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