$75,000 In Gems Lost During Fire

1920

NORTH ATTLEBORO, Mass. — Details of police guarded all day the ruins of the Codding block, which was destroyed by fire, at a loss of $75,000, and employees of the water department made vain efforts to thaw out the ice in the surrounding streets, trying to locate thousands of dollars worth of diamonds and precious stones which were literally swept away by the force of water which the hosemen played on the flames.


Taken After 6-year Search

Trailed Across Country, Man Charged With $20,000 Theft

After a six year search during which the trail led across a dozen states, Joseph E. Meredith, former freight agent for the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railroad at Libertyville was arrested in Westchester, Pa., and brought back to Waukegan, near Chicago, for trial.

Meredith was indicted in 1914 by the Lake County grand jury on the charge of embezzling $20,000 from the St. Paul railroad.

Although he was being sought by railroad detectives, Meredith got a job in Westchester as yardmaster for the Delaware & Lackawanna. He is 42 years old, and has a wife and two children living in Buffalo.