The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-17
THE DExTER BANk tragedy.
Fossible Clue TO solution OF the Mystery-
Wns II Three Fingered Jnckt

BOSTON, Feb. 16-Mr. J. |. Hopkins of New
Portland, Me-. in letter for publication gives
some interesting facts which seem to open the
way to solution Of the Dexter Bank mystery
He says that on Wednesday evening following
the Barron tragedy. man who did not give his
name appeared at West New Portland. dressed
in soldiers clothes. He was apparently about
40 years old. feet inches tall OF very dark
complexion. and black oyos The forenngor on
his right hand was wanting. and his right
wrist was somewhat stifrencd. This man said
that he was in Dexter on the night Of the bank
robbery (which statement has since been fully
corroborated by letter from the President OF
that bank, and explained why he was thcre at
that time. He told several persons that about
thirty years ago he ran away from his homo in
Penobscot County, and he aftcrward enlisted in
the regular army; that in 1862. while In Texas
he was taken prisoner by the Mexicans, and
was kept in prison in Mexico for eleven
years that he was wounded in the
abdomen by copper bullet. which has
never yet been extracted. and was then suffer-
ing from that wound, SO much so that no was
unable to sleep and that when ut North Anson
DR.. Palmer ot that town dressed his wound He
said that his ilngcr WAS taken OF 10y piece OF a
Shnl. while he was swimming the Rio Grandc
River ia the ince of the enemy. He exhibited
what purplrted 10 be a letter from Gen. Logan
of soldiers. He also said that he had lust Wis
itcd Lincoln 10 see his parents, whom he had
not heard from Tor over thirty years, and that
on HIS way from Lincoln he stayed at Dexter
village on the night ot the Barron murder. he
gave some particulars oi tho tragedy which
wore not al correct
DR.. Palmer has since said that hc never saw
the per@on described, and furthermore, had
never dressed wound for any such person.
. ON the Sunday following tie tragedy Is. f.
Walton. Postmaster NJ West New Portland
overlook ~ an on foot. whom he invited TO ride
with him. This man WAS about 80 years old
dak brown hair and slight moustachc. He said
that he lived in New York State. and was on his
way 10 the logging SWAmI- OF Dead River to gct
work. Tho same man was aiterward seen near
tlagstait and kingllHld villages. where he told
contradictory stories 1t has been proved be-
yond question that two or three days after this
he met ut Phillips the ilrst described party.
men mentioned were connected with tho rob
berry and murder of Barron. In passing them-
selves on rs tramps they were both contra
di,ted by their general appearance. The meet
ing Of the men above Phillips village WIS
brought about by making marks upon the
snow. and that meeting clearly shows that they
were working together.
In conclusion Mr. HOPKINS says After the
foregoing facts came to light the writer gave 70
detective who had been working on tho Dexter
rophary case the greater part OF the Information
contained herein, and the reply WIS that il
looked plausible. hut that the detectives were
on another track which would shortly lead TO
the arrest OF the rObbsrs. remarking at the
same time that the description Of the first
complexion. but as 90 the hlcmishes on his hand
ani wrist, perfectly aud fully answered to the
dcsrription Of a noted bank rubber OF New York
called Three Fingered Jack"