Born and forgotten in Worcester

By David "Chet" Williamson Sneade Silent film star Billy Sullivan was born in Worcester in 1891. Young Billy followed his uncle, the legendary fighter and entertainer John L. Sullivan, into showbiz. Billy got his start in what was known as "film shorts" in the 19-teens.  Because of his rugged good looks and chiseled physique, Sullivan was showcased in boxing films and Westerns. In his storied career, he appeared in more than 50 feature films, 20 with Rayart Pictures. In 1917, he was cast as King Arthur in his first feature-length film called Over the Hill . According to George Katchmer, "[Sullivan] was featured in a series of two-reelers for Universal in the mid-twenties and was also known for his boxing prowess, especially in the Leather Pushers ."  In a two-year period of 1924-'25, Sullivan appeared as the leading man in 10 Westerns including, The Double X, An Eyeful, Her Rodeo Hero, Race for a Ranch, The Red Rage, The Fighting Terror,...

Arthur T. Barry By David "Chet" Williamson Sneade He may have been the greatest jewel thief in American criminal history and he was from Worcester. He was known as the "Second-Story Man of the 1920s," whose most famous victim was the Prince of Wales. His name was Arthur T. Barry, one of 12 children born in the city in 1896, to Irish immigrants. Barry began stealing at an early age. His first underworld boss was a safecracker by the name of Lowell Jack and before long, the handsome and well-dressed Barry ingratiated himself into New York high society. Targeting the idle rich, Barry would only rob in the presence of his subjects and high-priced jewelry was his take. No mere petty criminal, Barry was a stickup artist of the highest order. He once lifted $23,000 in jewels from the residence of Harold Tabbott, who later became President Eisenhower’s Secretary of Air Force. His many exploits are chronicled in Neil Hickey's book, The Gentleman was a Thi...