The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-07-17
A DESPERATE CAPTURED.
orrin r. Bickford, the Terror OF Ien-
anon, Lodged in Alfred JAIL
Good Detective Work by Robert a.
Davis of this City.

For some time past there has been in \ orK
county band of desperadoes, who nave
caused tie people of Lebanon and that VI
entity, great deal of trouble The ring
leader of the gang was Orrin f. Bickford'
Last January Dickford made an assault on
Mr. Roach of Lebanon, with the intention OF
killing him. Attempts were made to capture
Bickford, but they were ofno avail, and he
said that he never would be taken alive.
Last Wednesday County Attorney Hig-
gins, of Alfred, sent for State Detective Rob
ert A. Davis of this city. Mr.. Davis went
to Alfred, when writ was placed in his
hands for the arrest of Bickford. In compa-
ny with Mr.. Fowler, Davis went to Leban-
on, and they stationed themselves in an am
buscade near place where it was expected
that Bickford would pass. About three
o'clock Thursday morning Bickford, with
another man came along in team, and De-
teetive Davis stepped into the road, and
called upon the outlaw to surrender Instead
of doing so Bickford took the reins from the
hands of his comrade, and striking the horse
with the whip started off at a rafting pace.
Davis, who had a double barrelled shot gun
in his hands, fired one shot, but it did not
take effect, and he quickly fired the remain
ing charge which struck Bickford, who
jumped, or fell from the wagon, in such a
way that he struck upon his head and Shout
ders and received injuries which rendered
him unconscious, and when he came to his
senses he found himself in irons. He was
taken to Alfred where he was safely lodged
in the jail.
Bickford, who is a large, powerful man
about 80 years of age, is in every sense of the
word tough character. He has been con-
cerned in bank robbery in New Hampshire,
and in many other criminal affairs To the
people of Lebanon he has been terror, and
has conducted himself in a high-handed man
ner. The people have stood in great fear of
him, and he, as it is reported, has appro-
priated property to his own use at pleasure.
The citizens in York county are jubilant over
the capture of Bickford, and feel deeply
grateful to Detective Davis for his success in
arresting him.
Bickford and his gang lived in camp in
the woods, and many stories are told of their
wild life and the outrages they have commit
ted. 1t is said that Bickford, the ringleader.
was in the habit of walking into stores and
taking any article which he desired, and that
no one would attempt to stop him. He has
lately many times said that he would never
be captured He has been accompanied in
his travels by a very large and ferocious dog.
Mr.. Davis, in his daring and successful at
tempt to take Bickford, has added much to
his already well earned reputation of being a
skillful and courageous detective.
Credit is also due County Attorney Higgins
for the interest he has shown in working up
the case against Bickford, who, it is hoped,
will now have to pay full penalty for his
crimes.
Fay Bickford is the third of this notorious
gang of horse thieves who is in Jail, and the
gang is now thoroughly broken up. 1t was
fine shot which was fired at Bickford by
Davis, and injured him only a little, but
answered the purpose of bringing him to bay,
and thus causing his arrest.