Date: Fri 08-Jan-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: CURT

Quick Words:

Laslo-history-fiction

Full Text:

FROM THE CASE FILES OF LASLO BRISCOE: Installment 16

By Andrea Zimmermann

No. 982 -- The Case Of

The Intoxicated Highwaymen

Had I been in the company of my good friend, Dr Waldo Desmond, when he was

summoned to help a wounded woman on the highway, it is certain the unpleasant

situation that unfolded would have resolved itself in a worse manner yet. But,

as fate would dictate, by 2 o'clock this morning I was well into my slumber.

Unceremoniously awakened at that hour, he quickly responded to a call from two

men. They said a woman traveling with them had sustained a serious injury to

her arm. When he arrived on the Southbury highway, he could see the men were

plainly intoxicated. They insisted Desmond attend to the woman, even though he

was of the mind she should be taken to Danbury Hospital. Working under the

headlights of the auto and in adverse conditions, the fine doctor administered

an anesthetic and dressed the woman's wounded arm. After the laborious task

was completed, the doctor spoke of his fee. The men showed a menacing attitude

and told him he got his living out of the town. Then they got into their car

and left the doctor to think the matter over.

Desmond noted the car had a New Jersey license, but was unable to get the

number. As of this late hour, we have had no word from the state police. It is

dubious the offenders will be found to pay up.

No. 997 -- The Case Of

The Penny Ante Pot

There is no understanding human nature when events follow this sequence: one

senses danger and spreads the word; that which all fear, indeed happens; and,

upon discovery, all seem surprised. Although I cannot reconcile this in my own

mind, it is precisely what transpired last week when burglars entered H.G.

Warner's store in Sandy Hook.

If Warner were a different type, he might be affronted that the bandits found

no merchandise fit for the taking. However, he was dismayed to find his

business had been targeted even though the stock was unmolested. The thieves

made way with one dollar in pennies, and a silver dollar belonging to Mr Burr,

the meat cutter at Warner's store.

The crime was perpetrated by two men, who entered by way of the window; they

were perhaps the same two suspicious looking characters I observed about

Newtown Street in the afternoon. Seeing the likes of these rogues, I warned

the local merchants to be on the lookout. They seemed to heed my words, yet

there was genuine surprise when word got out that thieves had been at work

later that evening. I wonder if they will be just as confounded to learn there

will be no arrests with the scant clues left us.

No. 1013 -- The Case Of

The Ku Klux Klan Bandits

When I consider the phrase "100 percent Americanism," I inevitably find myself

lost in a web of lineage spun from all other geographical points. If I ate

English pudding, or drank Scotch Whiskey -- would this make me less than what

I am? For even those who consider themselves of "pure stock" (and I could

wrestle about with that term in a fine manner), do they endanger their status

by breathing in air blown here from abroad?

Elmer K. Underhill was never a favorite of mine, and it does not surprise me

that we had, within our borders, the likes of a Ku Klux Klan member. When I

was contacted by the State Police to assist in arresting the man, I was

witness to one of the cleverest pieces of police work. For months, Underhill

had been suspected of untoward activity in and around town. And he was

discovered to be more than the proprietor of the gas station and confectionery

stand on the Newtown-Bethel Road, when a warrant for search revealed Klan

regalia and membership certificate, as well as a large quantity of stolen

goods. It seems our neighbor was a prominent member of the organization and a

mastermind burglar. Nearly 100 burglaries perpetrated during the past few

years are attributed to Underhill; his territory was far ranging and included

Bethel, Dodgingtown, Newtown, Southbury, Oxford and many other adjoining

districts. Sergeant Leo T. Carroll and State Policeman Walter Boas arrested

Underhill, while I helped secure the evidence -- clothing, guns of various

descriptions, tools of various character, kitchenware, and a valuable dog

which is said to have belonged to a Bridgeport party. Immediately upon

gathering our evidence, we proceeded to the home of former Newtown resident

Alexander Titus who is thought to be Underhill's accomplice. There we

discovered another stash of stolen items including several rifles, guns,

revolvers, carpenter tools, clothing and many other articles.

I was duly impressed to note the two law officers have been working night and

day for several months to catch the villain and his accomplice, former Newtown

resident Alexander Titus. The men who promote 100 percent Americanism will be

spending 100 percent of their time under lock and key for many, many years to

come.

No. 1022 -- The Case Of

The Burglars Who Bent Iron

Strong villains forced their way into the garage of Louis C. Lovell Sunday

night. Although they opened the cash register and took a quantity of pennies,

their main haul was a 1926 Buick sedan owned by Frederick A. Stoddard, as well

as some tires and spark plugs valued at about $800. The burglars cannot be

said to have champagne tastes as they passed up a more valuable car, a

Cadillac, that was also on the floor at the time. Although four-years-old,

Stoddard's car was in excellent shape and said to retain value.

Entry was made by way of the basement where the burglars forced open a trap

door leading to the main floor. To do so, they had to bend a heavy iron bar

that held the door in place.