The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-11-03
COMMUNICATING.
How Desperate MAN Was Arrested.

How a Desperate MAN Was Arrested.
In Thursdays PRESS appeared brief dis
patch announcing the arrest at Dover, OF
man named Chapman for passing counterfeit
money. Yesterday morning Deputy U. 5.
Marshal Smith brought Chapman to Portland
and he was arraigned before o. s. Commits
sioner Rand, and bound over to the December
term of the District Court in the sum OF 81
600. Failing to give bonds he was taken to
Jail. George III. Townshend appeared for
Chapman.
Chapman's name is John Selden Chapman
He is a native of Westbrook but has resided
with his father at Passadumkeag and at Corn
vile. He is desperate looking character,
weighs 100 pounds, is 3S years old and single.
He is something of the John L. Sullivan in
build and style. He looks upon the james
Brothers as worthy compeers of the heroes OF
olden times. He has latterly been working
on the narrow gauge road from Abbott to
| Monson, and during the winter season he
usually passes good deal of time in the woods
hunting. 1t is reported he has often said he
would never be taken, If anything should
| lead to his arrest, and his formidable APP
| pearance, and decided action, has confirmed
the people in his vicinity of the correctness of
| his statement.
For some time counterfeit silver dollars
have been passed all about the neighborhood
of Abbott and Monson. The postmaster,
hotel keeper, store-keepers and citizens have
been victimized, and they all declare they
have traced the coin to Chapman. In fact, it
is stated, Chapman admitted he bought a
watch of train-hand and gave him one of the
counterfeit dollars in part payment which he
afterwards took back again.
Tuesday afternoon the proprietor of the
Foxcroft Exchange, called at Deputy Sheriff
| Otis Martins at Dover, and told him he
thought Chapman was in the vicinity Of Abb
bolt, and that he could probably secure him
at that place. 1t was suggested to Martin that
he should not attempt the arrest without
plenty of assistance owing to the dangerous
character of the man wanted. Martin took
Capt. Stevens into his confidence and the two
men proceeded that afternoon to Abbott.
Here they ascertained from Mr.. Lord, who
had just arrived from Bartlett-which is about
two miles distant from Abbott-thst Chap
man was stopping at his house. Martin and
Stevens proceeded thither and put up, as two
strangers would, awaiting Chapman's return
who was expected at 8 o'clock that, Tuesday
evening. About O'Clock they were placed in
back sitting-room, where they could not be
seen by Chapman and soon after he returned
His room was located over the kitchen. II
was attained by narrow flight of stairs which
took short turn at the head, just before
reaching the door of his room. After waiting
| .l..A
asleep Lord went ahead with light, followed
By Martin and Stevens in their stocking feet
the latter having thick stick, two inches in
diameter. When they got to the head OF tht
stairs Lord stepped one side, and the other
two men entered the room quickly. Martin
threw himself across Chapman's breast as hi
lay in bed, and held his hands while Stevens
held Chapmans head down and handcuffet
him. Powerful as Stevens and Martin are
Chapman lifted them up by the sheer force OF
the upper part of his body but they had him
handcuffed and had the arms and legs pin
ioned Afterwards they let him use hi
limbs to pat on portion OF his clothes wher
he tried to get possession of gun.
In his pockets were found, besides othe
articles,a poretmonanie containing two counter
felt silver dollars, and good one. That nigh
Stevens took Chapman to Abbott and guarded
him while Martin went home, and rejoinet
Stevens the next morning when they tool
their man to Dover, where Marshal Smitl
with and brought Chapman to Portland.
There were five witnesses appeared before
the Commissioner, all of whom testified tina
Chapman had passed the counterfeit coin t.
them. A singular fact brought out was tina
one of these coins was dated 1881 while all thu
rest bore the date $780, which would indcat
two dies.
1t is thought that Chapman is one of gan,
who make, as well as pass counterfeit coin.
An interesting circumstance showing tina
Chapman's counterfeiting operations hav
been continued for some time quite extensivel,
is the fact that Portland gentleman has
counterfeit coin which he took year agt
and it now turns out to have been run in the
same mould as those lately passed by Chap
man.