The Portland daily press., 1881-07-21
CONTEMPLATING.
HEARING OF HOWARD DAVIS BE-
FORE THE COMMISSIONERS.
Bail Raised to $500.


was lately arrested at Moderation for nttering
counterfeit half dollars, was brought before U.
S. Commissioner Clifford. District Attorney
Liant appeared for the State and A. ".
Coombs, ESQ.,, for the defendant The pri-
soner is q thick-set young man, quite stout,
with full face, and dark hair and eyes. lie
watched the proceedings very closely and,
once or twice suggested questions to his at
torney.
Fred W. Harding testified that he resided
in Gorham and went to Buxton twice last
February with an entertainment. While
there received counterfeit half dollars. One,
that was shown to him, he received from Mr.
Charles Hanson, the ticket-takar on Feb.
18th, was not aware of his own knowledge,
that Mr Davis was present ut the first enter
tainment, but Mr.. A. A. Dyer informed him
he was. At the second entertainment, q week
later, counterfeit half dollars were passed. on
him, but couldn't say that Davis, the prisoner,
was the man who passed them. Tbs guilty
man was quite large and was q broad briGl
med SLOUGH hat. When the man passed the
counterfeit half dollar on him witness told
him he wasn't taking that kind that week.
The man answered, is that so, put the money
back in his pocket and gave him good one.
Witness told Hanson, the ticket-taker, to spot
the man. Hanson didn't tell witness who the
man was. Nobody else was present at the
tertainment to look out for counterfeits. or any
one who might try to pass them. Had two
reasons for being SO careful, one was that I
had counterfeit half dollar offered me that
afternoon, and tho other was [ had had con-
versation about it.
Gross E1dlaiiadtion-Didn' see the1nan the
first night who passed the money, and don't re-
cognize the prisoner as the man who passed it
the second night
Charles Hanson of Gorham testified he went
fo RTl ION ,o-&-o ~,
entertainment twice Saw Howard Davis
the re at the second entertainment. He was
pointed out to me by Mr. Dyer, bus Mr..
Frederick Harding called attention to hin4.
rms oecurred directly after Mr.. Davis went
into the entertainment Mr.. Dyer only
pointed cut this man. Should say the ori-
soner was the man. He had on an ulster and
broad brimmed black SLOUGH hat.
Cross ETdnaiRati0n-Quit sure that the
prisoner is the man. Think 1 had seen him
before that time out had no acquaintance with
him. l know this is the man that Harding
and Dyer called attention to.
Albert A. Dyer, Gorham Corner, testified no
was i'll West Buxton at an entertainment in
February when Harding and Hanson were
there. at TWO different times. Saw Mr.
Howard Davis present at the second enter
tainment. The orchestra played once when
Davis came in, and took seat among some
young fellows near the stage. Hanson asked
witness who Davis was and witness told him.
ment. Had been at work for years for the
Singer Company and got acquainted with
Davis. Witness then told q long story Of how
he got acquainted with him, the only material
point OF which was that at store in Buxton
ne saw some OF the counterfeit half dollars
and a Mr.. Cozzens told him they were made
by Howard Davis
Cross Enanainatton-A year ago last June I
went to Moderation from Biddeford and met
Davis. Seen him frequently since. Not in
i'm hut !, tn cfnlN N
Have no prejudice against him, and never
had any trouble with him. Am sure Davis
was the man that Hanson called my attention
to.
Lydia W. Clough. Of Biddeford, testified
tnaG year ago last fall she kept house at
biddeford. During that time three persons
came there one night and counterfeit m0nsy
was passed on her. There were two coins,
nall and quarter Couldn't tell il the prs-
oner was the man who passed the counterfeit
money, as 1t was evening at the time. Eho
others called the man Howard. The two other
companions were Mr.. Dudley and Dir. Hodg-
kins, the latter friend of mine.
Gross ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS three ZION came
and stayed perhaps half hour. I keep pri-
waite house. received the money in payment
for sweet cider. Gave the man who passed
The counterfeit good money in change. How
ard refused to take it back when ( discovered
il was counterfeit before he left. He didn't
give any reason why he would not take it
back, although said he was welcome to the
cider. Couldn't recognize the prisoner as the
man, bat know the others called him Howard
and that Dudley was with him
John A. Dudley, Of West Buxton, testified
he went to Mrs. Clough's in Biddeford a year
ago last fall With Hodgkins and Davis. They
had lots OF cider there. The room was full Of
people. Couldn't tell how many. Everybody
treated and each one paid for the drinks
Davis paid when it came his turn. Mrs.
Clough came in and told Davis the money no
passed on her was counterfeit. He made no
answer to the charge
Cross E1dnsination-There were from five to
eight or a room full of people at Clough's
when we went in We had all been drinking.
Everybody treated and everybody got pretty
full. The parties present when we came in
went away. After they had gone Mrs. Clough
came in and had the talk with Davis We al
felt happy. Couldn't tell what coins Davis
gave Mrs. Clough, whether halves or quarters
So long as witness got his drink he didn't care
whether the money was counterfeit or not, or
didn't now.
Mr.. Lhnt moved that the bail be raised to
$500.
Mr.. Coombs thought the bail should be pro
portionate to the means of the prisoners rarni-
ly,.who were respectable but poor.
Mr.. Clifford said he would fix the bail at
$500 and remanded tho prisoner.