Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-01

to see him to my knowledge, nor ever report
ed to me that he had been to see Alexander.
/ went to Rockpert and carried Keller. Went
by way of Ingraham's Corner and collected
several bills. Keller wanted to ride with me.
Took him in and he rode up with me. Did
not tell him l went for a boat Keller
never gave me any telegram of any descrip-
ton, nor did ever give Black any telegram
to carry to Keller, nor did l ever have one
in relation to this matter. Never received al
my house one of these parties excepting Dan
iels, nor ever agreed with Keller to do So L
| was not up to the Grove as Keller states
neither before nor on the night OF the rob-
berry. Keller never requested me to take
any men to keep for him. Never knew OF
anybody sending tools into this town. My
place was at the headquarters Of the South
Thomaston and Owls Head Stages. Bun
dies were lcft there to be sent. Keller was
frequently at my store; my store was on the
corner of Main and Spring streets. The
lookup was on Spring street, very near, and
my store was a sort of headquarters Of the
police-and the principal gentlemen OF the
city, place of innocent amusement. Some
of the best men in the city used to assemble
in my back store to play euchre-and l had
under my counter a little good whiskey, " hich
some members of this bar have frequently
tasted. | kept it there to attract CUSTOM
k,izer was frequently out nights on the police.
| received no compensation for keeping Dan
iels. Had no other acquaintance than an
army acquaintance with him.
never went with Keller at any time tor
tools at his stable--neycr was at his stable
Keller never told me and l never had any
knowledge that he had any tools to rob the
bank. He never asked or obtained my assist
ance in any way to rob the bank. The first
vi of Jlinnl;s Oottiptr orackprS q
house was in this court. Never employed
Black or Graves to carry away those men ;
nor did l ever do any act in relation to it. The
testimony of Graves in relation to being at
my house is entirely false. He came to my
house in the morning before breakfast, and
asked me to go to Ash Point with him, which
did. That is the only time he ever was at
my house. Graves procured the horse to go.
| took my rifle, and we went to several islands.
Graves saw several men and talked with
them. What he said don't know. He went
to talk with Mr.. Foster. and | saw him talk
ing with men on the bank. 1t is the only
place that went with him, and went merely
for the ride. went to Ash Point two Sun
days in succession. l bought a turkey OF MIR.
Hurd on one Sunday. Graves went the same
ground over each time. He told me that he
and Keizer had some struggled liquors come
and he was getting a boat in relation to it.
Keller told me he had been down East and
had some smuggled liquors when he brought
Daniels my store. He told me he had made
several attempts to get boat, and could not
get one. He then asked me about my little
vessel-where she was. | never employed
or promised to pay Graves or Black to car
~ any man away, nor ever told either OF
them there was to be any attempt to rob
the bank. While at Rockport l asked Capt.
Cooper about boat and he said he had no
boat he could let unless he went himself.
Saturday evening was in my store little
later than usual. My clerk and his mother
were at the store. l shut the store about 10
ocock-not minutes from that time, and l
went directly home. Sunday evening when
got home ate my supper and wrote little,
and then went to bed. 1t was pretty early
shortly after dark.
l think was playing billiards Monday eve
ning-am very confident | played a game or
two that night-went usually two or three eve
nings of the week-and there met the gentle
men of the town Played frequently with the
Berry brothers, Arthur Libby and others
Am unable to tell with whom played on diff
terent nights. Had store of goods at time
of robbery and have none now.
Court adjourned till 2 l-2 Z. NJ.