Thomas Barrett
The Montpelier Examiner, March 22, 1912
About a week ago a man giving his name as W M Chance and claiming to
represent the Union Health and Accident Co of Denver, Colo. landed in Montpelier
and began inquiring for a suitable person to act as a local agent for the
company.
Chance was well supplied with evidence of being a bona-fide representative of the aforesaid company. He finally met with Thos Barrett, whom he induced to act as local agent and fitted him out with the necessary papers to do business.
Having completed his mission here Chance discovered that he was just a little short on money. He asked Barrett if he would endorse a $25 check for him so he could cash it at one of the banks here. Having no reason to believe Chance was not who he claimed to be, Barrett gladly endorse the check.
A few days later the check was returned to the
local bank with the information that W M Chance had no money to his credit in
the bank and Mr. Barrett was compelled to make good on the $25. Upon contacting
Union Health and Accidental Co brought the information that Mr. Chance was not
in their service at all. it was also learned that he had worked this game
at several other points between Denver and Oregon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Montpelier Examiner, December 2, 1937
A fire which broke out about 11:30 last Saturday claimed $1500 worth of damages on the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Barrett of this city.
The cause of the fire was believed to be a defective flue in the chimney. Opinions agree that the fire had been probably smoldering in the eaves for at least a day or more before it finally gained enough strength to burst into flames.
After noticing an intense head throughout the house, Mrs. Barrett became alarmed and was suddenly aware that flames were rising from the eaves. The fire was between the ceiling on the inside and the roof on the outside.