The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-08

QCdbu VI Luc ucdl iluJt WHO Was tAp6CLtu,
when educated, to explain the mystery and
restore the family honor.
During the trial, the younger Chadbourne
said, his wife who knew that he was at home
during the whole of the night of the murder,
did not, or rather was not allowed as he ex-
pressed it, to testify in his behalf. Since he
has been in prison she has obtained a di-
yorce and is married to another man. Chad
bourne thinks that now she might give inn
partial testimony. and is confident that If she
could be heard, she would exonerate him.
The most interesting convict of the ten
was shrewd, rather bluff looking Irishman,
some over so years old. He would pas in q
crowd for an honest, hard working man.
This man was Joseph E. Clinton, "Old Joe
Clinton" as he called himself. During the
war he served on a revenue cutter in the
North Pacific, and since then has worked
sixteen years for Cobb, Wight 81 Norton of
Rockland. One hundred and forty-three PEE
utlons, bearing seven thousand five hundred
names have been sent in from the temper
ance societies of the State, asking for Joe
Clnton's pardon. The story the old fellow
told the Council was a highly entertaining
ana at times humorous account of a fight
well remembered in Maine. He was SEN
fenced in 1885 for two years for shooting
Severance in Rockland. Clinton was dep
uty State constable for the enforcement of
the liquor law ie Rockland, and Severance
Kept hotel which Clinton had raided.
clinton, according to his own account, was
PoOoAh5 ou tuC otlCcl III hOChiduQ WHICH OcN-
erance with crowd of companions whom
Clinton declares were drunken r0ughs," in
suited him; finally Severance came at him to
thrash him. He says that Severance was
lighting drunk, and had threatened TO kill
him. Clinton did not fire until he had been
struck several times, then he fred at Sew
erance's legs. Severance then attacked even
more yehemently, and Clinton fired again.
The third shot, Clinton said was accidental.
Were you much hurt. Clinton, asked one
"And you should have seen me when got
away" he replied. II was one of the worst
battered men you ever saw"
but did not Severance strike you first
with the fiat of his hand?" said Governor
"Yes sir, your Honor, drunken bullyis
sure to be very gentle when he raps you"
was the quick reply which made all the
Council laugh.
,''Have you a wife or children" was ask
ed;
"Yes. a wife; but no children, and am
thankful that l haven't" he replied with
evident feeling.
Severance has since recovered and Clinton
complains that he has visited the prison and
gone through the shop, ''lording It over me
as work in my disgrace" Clinton spoke
highly of Chas. E. Littlefield, ESQ.,, whose
testimony, he said, was the only fair evil
dence given but the old fellow thinks that
two Of the Rockland papers used him very
seeming to realize his disgrace, he said
what prisoner says does not amount to
anything. What is the use for a convict to
say anything. You will not believe it, But
60 to Rockland, and ask the men who know
Joe Clinton, whether he did not live an
honest life all the years until this came up"
Thomas ID. Jordan next hobbled in on
crutches to get pardoned for burglary for
which he was sentenced from 0ldtown for 10
years in 1882. He seemed feeble. but
his Sf0rN ShaNvad fhat ha hod hoa
rather weakened citizen, having
sold rum before he aided in the burglary
lie has honorable discharges from the First |
Maine Cavalry and Third Maine Regiment,
for his country. BE has applied for pen
sion.
A story which commanded close attention |
was told by James A. Cary of Portland, SEN |
fenced to five years in 1888, for selling furni-
pairs, and for forging note. Poor Cary |
says that the furniture was worth but S35, |
and he got only So for it. The note, which |
was for SS, he sold for so cents. When he |
did this he was under the influence of liquor. |
He was sentenced to five years, which he |
thinks excessive. He promised the Council |
and Governor that if they would LET him out |
ne would let liquor alone and live an honest |
life He has brother, mother and sister in |
this city.
Cary's prison record has been perfect. but |
he has suffered terribly mentally. The doc |
tor at one time feared that his brooding over |
his misfortune would result In insanity. !
Cary wrote to the Governor asking for par |
don, and the prison officials think that he de- |
serves it.
John Lawrence, who was sentenced to be |
hung IN 1870, for numbering his mistress in |
Bangor, but whose sentence was commuted |
TO imprisonment for life, wanted to get out, |
but there seemed to be others more desery-
ing.
A. c. Jones of Bath, who stole some rope |
and chains, and is in for short term, wants |
it made still shorter
The last men to appear were Lorenzo H. |
Turner and Lewis Z. Hopkins, in for seven
years for killing the old Indian woman at |
Richmond. They were drunk when they did |
1t. Hopkins case has not been helped by |
the fact that his wife went to the Governor |
and Council few weeks ago and besought |
them not to let her husband out for fear he |
would kill her. When this was told to Hop |
kins,.. he seemed surprised, and said: II |
would not harm a hair of her head.''
These two men ended the hearing.
With Governor Robie were Governor-elect |
Bodwell, A. Little, Esq, of Portland, Prison |
inspectors Osgood and Bean and Councillors |
Goodall, BiXby Fernald, Sands and Locke |
Senator SimOnton was also present as coun- |
sci for Smith. Councillors Fernald and Sands |
go to Rockland to investigate further the |
case of Clinton; the rest of the party 20 to /
Portland tonight.