This Day in History: 1916-04-25

Clarence Lewis, owner of the former “Sheffield Farm” in Mahwah discovered he had been robbed of his prize Houdan chickens. Twelve of the fowl, worth $25 each had been stolen. Lewis offered a $100 reward for the apprehension of the thieves. Constable Trueman Rodgers has a suspicion and some slim clues as to who might be guilty. He asked Suffern Police Chief to go with him to the home of Herbet Jennings. Only one of the prize fowl had been left uneaten. Jennings and his brother Albert were persuaded to take a walk with the constable and the two men were arrested as soon as they crossed the NY/NJ state line. They have been lodged in the Bergen County jail awaiting Grand Jury action. How do you suppose $275 of chicken tasted? They were convicted on May 18th of burglary before Judge Seutert and sentencing will be on June 1st. They will probably go to Trenton. (bristow)