Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-11-07
The Boston Globe Tramps at
Southport Their Lying state
mentS Reviewed and Answered.


The following rotutes some Of the false
statements made by Boston Globe reporters,
as the result of the late political investigation
at Southport, Me:
The first reporter, who (using a word of
his own, we will designate as the pap
man, "a term more significant than clegant)
came rs an agent for fish firm. He talked
the matter of buying fish over in manner
which led me to suppose he had not been in
the business long and also left grave doubts
of either his sense or sanity. He finally in
troduced politics As the result Of our con
versation, he announces that told him had
written orders from the State Committee in re-
gard to election and the buying of votes also
a personal letter from Mr.. James &. Blaine.
which letter am credited withvery obliging-
" reciting to the pap" man. As have
never received letter from Mr.. Blaine, or
the State Committee on that subject, it must
be plain to every honest person, that the
statement was lie without foundation, an
invention of the pap" mans evidently fruit
full brain. His statement rcgardingou large
ballot was of equally respectable origin.
| distinctly told him our large vote was
purely accidental the storm of election day
sending into harbor a large number of YES
sells. gave the scamcn the opportunity ofvot-
ing. | also told him | never knew OF
but one man being bought in our town, ana
he was bought by the democrats. When he
saws that used, or had money from any
source whatever COR buying votes he 90
English it, lies
"Wednesday Oct. Il. 4 man presented HIM
self at the Post Office at Southport, claiming
to be Adams, of the detective force New \ ork,
after an English torger who would land here
in "A few days, might perhaps be found in
some fishing vessel or II letter would come to
him at this office. The ''detectve" wished
TO watch mas-aSked that he might remain
with me n few days for that purpose, the
hotel being at distance.
After considerable questioning Che showing
business notes AS proof of the correctness of
his statements) to oblige the man consented.
determined to watch, suspicious that his Eng
ish forger was sham. For the first two
DAYS Thursday and Friday was not with
Adams much, rs | was quite busy. From
what | did see of him, was impressed with
the idea that he was more interested in me
and my store. than in looking around for his
English forger | tried him several times on
politics. he was remarkably ignorant on that
subject for "A man apparently so well informed
on all others said ''he did not know very
much about politics" Mr.. Adams was not
present at the opening of mail either OF these
days. (This did not seem to me as though he
was very much interested in foreign letters.
His evident wish to avoid all political talk
Changing the subject when ever it was intro
duced) increased my suspicion. Talked
readily on every other subject | suggested
that he was in league With the pap" man, ut
which he was apparently indignant.
Saturday, Oct 10. Mr.. Adams spent most
of the day in store, talked freely about scrapes
and close places into which his protested &C.
eupation had forced him. (fhis was rather
funny, as he hadrequested me to say nothingof
his business In the afternoon offered to
mend the shade of which he spoke, went be-
hind the desk, as there were chairs and table
at which to work. ! watched him closely.
That night he was present for the first time
at opening of the mail as to helping assert
the mail. he did not. that is my business, and
attend to it myself. stood at desk Adams
occupying the chair at my right and little
remov I'd from the desk. \ foreign letter
came that night; / allowed Adams to exam
in. it for minute. He made some show of
interest There is nothing particularly ex-
citing in foreign letter passing the office, as
it is not unusual. From the manner in
which Adams took the letter. my suspicion
was strengthened instead of removed. As |
had nothing to confide do not understand
his statement, she then took me into his con-
fidence." | did not tell him, 81 had been
afraid of him, but it was all right now" (for
it was not all right to my mind neither did l
say ANY letter ever had was put out of the
way" 1t was Sunday, after the letter came
SATURDAY., that ! accused him Of being
Globe reporter looking up elections, which
he denied, Of course.
Monday, Oct. 90 Not until afternoon did
Mr. Adams make any attempt to see the man
to whom the foreign letter was addressed. As
it was delivered Saturday night, the man had
ample time to have been in Dixie if he chose.
Returning to the store from his detective ex-
petition Adams told me the result, and asked
permission to write al my desk. As | had
nothing ! wished to conceal, and could not
easily refuse the request, removed my work
to the side counter, where could see every
movement made by Adams. At no time was
he left alone in the store, as J am not in the
habit of leaving strangers in possession of my
office and business matters. Mr. Adams was
present, for the second time, at opening of
mail. Stood behind the counter, not the desk,
and of course had nothing to do with assort-
ing mail.
Tuesday, Oct. 81. Mr. Adams took the
steamboat for Bath. | was convinced that he
was not New York detective after an Eng
lish forger, yet had no proof that he was, as
l suspected, political spy.
M. +. BEAL.