Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-05-26
SA'sE nISpATcHEs.
FROM PORTLAND.
Robbers sArrested and Property No.
covered.

PORTLAND, May 25.
ABOUT year ago the freight department of
."e ror'land 4 Ogdensburg Railroad Co.
began to miss trifiinR articles from the freight
cars especially those which came thronoh
from the west and had been sealed At the
point OF departure. General Freight Agent
foiman made investigations but failed to A..
certain who the guilty parties we're. As the
lime went on the thieves became holder
ihey'would break open a barrel of four
remove the flour and leave the barrel in the
car so ell clue to the property was lost. The
thieves were also very particular in the choice
OF the articles. Everything that would have
tendency to implicate them they scrupu-
iousiy let alone. During the winter it was
known that there was decided blockade of
through freight and the cars had to stand On
side tracks, waiting for a chance to be
forwarded. During this time the thieves
revelled. They broke into the cars and
helped themselves. The value of the goods
stolen amounted to hundreds of dollars
When the robberies were committed was a
question. 1t is possible in cases to remove
seals from imperfectly sealed cars and re-
place them, so to casual eye they appear
unbrOken. Such was found to be the case
with some cars from which articles had been
taken, while in others the seals had been
broken without attempt to disguise. Orders
were issued by Mr.. Tolman to the employees
of the road to notify him of any of these
seal breakings at once, on penalty of dis
missal from the company's service. As a
result OF these sharp lookouts Mr.. Tolman
was enabled to locate the most of these rob-
berries at or near Scott's Mills. Last Thurs
day after an interview with Robert A Davis
of this city, well known detective, that gen.
tlenan was furnished with credentials and
authorized by Receiver Anderson and Mr..
Tolman to do all in his power to capture the
even if he bad to secret himself in
one of the cars side tracked at Scott's Mills.
This afternoon the following despatch was
received:
At Dalton, N. H., Sunday evening, the Gath,
Detective Robert A. Davis of Rutland, with
his assistant Fowler and Deputy Sheriff
Fletcher of Lancaster, after desperate fight
arrested six men for robbing the freight cars
of the Portland & Ogdensburg railroad at
Scott's Mills. A large part of the property
was found at the residence of the robbers.
Detective Davis telegraphed that he had
made arrangements to have the robbers
brought before the court at Lancaster, N. H.,
tomorrow.
Suspicious Strengthened.
The marshal, coroner and other officers
W ith doctors, went from Portland to Stand
ish, Monday, and exhuned G.. Fred Har
mons body. They found it in almost per-
feet state of preservation. The stomach was
taken out and is going directly to Professor
Carmichael at Brunswick. 1t will be week
before the analysis is completed. The body
being found prrfeet is supposed to indicate
the presence of arsenic as was suspected.
Prisoners Sentenced.
In the Superior Court today the following
sentences were imposed:
Willis Skllings, alias Willis Bryant, forg-
ery, three years in the State Prison.
Charles E. York, forgery, three years in
the State Prison.
George Merrill, assault and battery, eight
months in Jail.
Henry l.. Milliken, compound larceny,
three years in State Prison.
Dennis Boulunger, larceny, ten months IN
Jail.
Henry G. Cole, larceny. three years in
State Prison.
Weston johnson. larceny, three years and
half in State Prison.
Thomas Hamel, Jr., compound larceny
.c1 half in lail