Wanted Other People’s Money
Harry Triggs Sentenced to Industrial School
– Eau Claire Evening Free Press | 2-27-1900

Eau Claire - Harry Triggs was arrested yesterday by Chief Higgins on a warrant sworn out by Geo. Amey, a Third ward butcher. The lad is only about 16 years old and was well thought of. His only fault was his weakness for other people’s money. He was for a time employed by Mr. Amey, who furnished him a room and board besides paying him for his services. He had already robbed the till three different times and was forgiven by the kind hearted butcher. Saturday young Triggs again succeeded in getting into the strong box and this time, Mr. Amey had him arrested. Judge Gilbertson today sentenced Triggs to the state industrial school.

It is reported that Triggs robbed the cash box at the news stand of Dunbar & Cathcart on Barstow street, although these gentlemen did not appear against him in court. Mr. Cathcart of the above firm, said today that the boy was very obliging of a nice appearance and that he was quite well liked. Their loss only amounted to $2. The day the money was taken the firm purchased Triggs a suit of clothes which they made a present to him. Later it is said he confessed to having robbed them.


Chad’s Take
For some reason I find myself liking this young Harry Triggs character. I guess I am not the only one because even the paper listed him as a well-liked young man whose only fault was “his weakness for other people’s money.” Perhaps if Harry had matured his skills and waited until the 1920s and 30s he could have joined up robbing banks with John Dillinger and “Baby Face” Nelson where his fondness for other people’s money could have made him a folk hero. I really believe that young Harry Triggs was simply before his time.

Although the newspaper said that his crimes were minor in nature, I found it odd that the Police Chief himself made the arrest. Chief Higgins was the Police Chief in Eau Claire from 1891-1907, and probably had his hands full enforcing the rule of law in the Chippewa Valley. In the early 1900s the police were responding to an average of two (2) calls per day usually involving complaints of escaped pigs, cow, and chickens running loose throughout the city. One of the major causes for arrest was drunkenness. While it is good to see that over the years the Chippewa Valley has finally gotten a handle on its unruly roaming livestock, the same can not be said for the drunkenness.

Keep an eye out.