AN ARRESTING INCIDENT - 1898

William Frazier, the colored man who assaulted Marshal Aaron Tuers about a year ago and managed to escape, lately returned to town. On the night of May 16th a lot of clothing was stolen from the lines of Peter Westervelt, and suspicion rested upon Frazier.
Marshal Genest Houseman found that there was a wheelbarrow track in the roadway, and traced it to Frazier's house.

When Marshal Houseman pounced in upon the negro's quarters, he found the fellow in bed. In his pantaloons pockets was found a razor, beside him a revolver, and alongside the bed an axe. As the marshal seized him, Frazier remarked, "If I heard you coming up the stairs, 'Nesty,'I would have shot you." But it was too late, for the marshal had the handcuffs on him, and took him to Hackensack.

Frazier's wife denied any knowledge of the whereabouts of Mr. Westervelt's clothing, but a search resulted in finding the goods tied up in oilcloth. Frazier's wife denied all knowledge of the theft, but she will be arrested on the charge of complicity with Frazier. There have been numerous thefts about Westwood for the past two years; hen coops have been robbed, and minor articles stolen, and it is believed that Frazier, who is an indolent but daring negro, has a knowledge of them all.

Some people, fearing repeated threats which the fellow has made, are afraid to make affidavit against him, but now that he is in jail, the truth about the worthless negro should be made known and the fellow punished. This will probably end robberies for a time in Westwood. Frazier's assault upon Marshal Tuers is well remembered, and for this alone he should be sent to prison; the marshal sought to arrest him, when the negro made the assault and escaped.