Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-10-28
MAINE DiApATCHES.
FARMlNGTON NEWS.
An Interview With the Man Under Arrest
-s'oien Goods Found at Several Ii ouses
Other Notes.

LbWisION, Oct. u.
A Pennington special to the Journal SAYS
James Stephens, or James Kilfoy, as he now
insists on being called, was seen and inter-
viewed today in the spacious sheriff s room
at the new county building. where he was
being closely watched by his keeper, Court
Messenger Nelson Gould, under the direction
of Deputy Sheriff Alonzo Sylvester.
The room is disagree eably crowded with un-
claimed household goods, of which Deputy
Sheriff Sylvester has been appointed guar
dian. kilfoy sat in one corner chewing to-
bacco. His eyes were riveted to the floor
and he only looked up when spoken TO, and
then with saddened and detected countenarce.
He wears dark suit of new clothing with a
Scotch cap. He said that be was committed
to State Prison Oct. Is, 1888, for breaking
and entering Frencii's store at Ellsworth and
stealing a suit Of clothes, and has only been
at liberty since the fifth day of the present
month, since which time he has been tramp
ing about the country.
He claimed to have passed through Farm
ington on w Wednesday, en- route to Phillips
from Lewiston, in search of work, and TO
have returned to Farmington Friday after
noon, simply passing through the place oD
his way to Temple, where he asserted he slept
the night of the fire. Saturday he came to
West Pennington and hung around there
until he was taken into custody.
Ex-Register of Deeds, lothian Gould, cor
roborated his story of being 10 Pennington
Wednesday,. Gould says at that time he was
dressed in shabby suit OF clothing and in
quired of him the way to the Jail as he wished
to spend the night there, being out of employ
ment
MIR. Hammond of Pennington saw him,
Friday afternoon, tramping down the Phillips
road toward Temple Representative
Edwin Sawyer of Temple, identified him as
the fellow whom he pulled out of his wood
pile near midnight of the night of the fire,
where he was either stealing nights sleep
or hiding from public gaze. Mr.. Sawyer
said that after giving him breakfast, Satur-
day morning, he watched him out of sight on
the Pennington road. His retcent, sus-
picious looks and contradictory stories seems
to be about the only basis for holding him
and he will undoubtedly be released.
Thursday afternoon, leaving kilfoy under
the charge of new keeper, Aiken Gognoy,
Deputy Sheriff Sylvester and Court Messen-
ger Gould made raid on three houses at
| West Pennington and three houses in Tenn
pie, where it was alleged stolen goods were
concealed. A quantity was seized in each
house raided. The occupants OF the houses
stouilv claimed that they were given the
property during the fire and will be given the
opportunity to prove their assertions, if they
can.
The Citizens Ways and Means Committee
have petitoaed the selectmen to call town
meeting for the purpose of voting town aid to
the sufferers and also to provide the town
with the necessary protection against further
fires. The selectmen Immediately issued the
call.
The Citizens Committee voted one hum
dred dollars of their funds to the Ladies Ald
Society who were in session, Tuesday after
noon, making articles of clothing to relieve
the destitute.