Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-17
Nallomell local Mems.
The Sims Trial.


We referred few days since to the trial in
progress of City Marshal Sims, on charges Of
drunkenness and malfeasance in Office, pre-
ferred By members of the police and others.
The testimony ELECTED on Monday evening, to
substantiate the charges, was quite volumi-
nous, and most Of the Witnesses we're sub
jected to the most critical cross examination
by f. F. Pillsbury, Esq, counsel for the de-
PENDANT. c. c. Stone, policeman, testified
that he had seen the defendant intoxic atsd
several times, -referred particularly to the
evening ofthe 10Th Of August as one Of the oc
casions whom he considered him the worse for
liquor : had drank With him.
Lorenzo Chamberlain. Of the special police
force. testified that on the evenings ofthe 10th
and Goth Of August, he considered the defend,
ant the worse for liquor; and also on the
night of the 4th of July.
+. W. Perrigo, night Waterman, testified
that he had assisted the City Marshal in the
arrest of young man on the evening Of the
10th Of August; that Mr.. Sims appeared to
be intoxicated, ard was very violent in his
treatment of the prisoner, attempting to strike
him amer he was handcuffed, and in the cell
of the lookup; stated that he restrained the
Marshal from abusing the prisoner; had seen
him intoxicated at other times; had been Of
fered liquor by him and it vas brought out
on cross examination that he had drank with
him at various times. He also testified with
regard to the payment Of money to the Mar
shall by parties arrested, and let off without
prosecution. Nathan l.. Niles was present at
the time of the arrest above referred to;
thought the City Marshal was "pretty full;
saw him crowd the prisoner down upon the
bunk of the cell, and heard him use violent
- H. 4
concerning the payment Of money on several
occasions by the arrested, in order that they
might be let of without prosecution before the
police court. He had seen no money paid,
but inferred from certain circumstances that
such practices had prevailed.
c. w. P. Osgood testified that he had re-
peatcdly seen the defendant when he thought
him the worse for liquor, and specified instan-
ces at times when the Marshal occupied wit
ness house A. tenant Had drank with
him.
W. II. Colby, policeman, stated that he had
seen the Marshal the worse for liquor, and re-
ferred to the instances above specified; had
drank with him. lie also testified respecting
the alleged payment of money to the Marshal
by those under arrest, in order that they
might escape prosecution. Another witness
whose name escaped our notice, testified to
paying two dollars to the Marshal to be let
of without prosecution.
John ID. Bailey, constable, testified that on
one occasion, late at night, had seen the City
Marshal when he thought him intoxicated-so
much so that he did not walk like a sober
man; had never drank with him.
S. X. Gilman, Judge ofthe municipal court
of Hallowell, testified at length with refer
renee to the seizure and condemnation Of Ger
tain liquors seized by the defendeht, on war
rents issued by the court Among the liquors
returned as seized from the premises Of
Halves & Warren, was one barrel of alcohol,
and also few gallons Of wine, and the same
was condemned to destruction; but on the re.
turn of liquors destroyed the alcohol and
wine were not included. Also in the case of
w. r.. Ballard, part Of a barrel of alcohol,
with other liquors. was returned as seized,
and condemned; but the City Marshal did not
return the alcohol as destroyed. All that was
seized at M. O'Brien's was returned as des
troyed. The Judge explained to the conven-
ton the proper method of proceeding in such
casee, and wherein the Marshal was at fault.
The above is the substance of the testimony
against, the Marshal, without entering into
the details as ELECTED by the rigid cross-exam-
ination by Mr. Pillsbury. The hour being
ration, the convention adjourned to Friday
evening. On the assembling of the conven-
ton, Mr. Pillsbury objected to proceeding on
account of the absence of one Of the Alder
men who was detained at home by sickness.
The objection was overrulcd, and a vote was
passed to proceed with the testimony for the
defense. Witnesses were then called and
sworn by the city clerk. Mr.. jackson hav-
ing been notified that no cross-examination oil
Witnesses was desired by the board, took no
further active interest in the proceedings, and
the witnesses proceeded with their testimony