The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-11-17
MCFARLAND IN COURT.
The Story OF the Fletcher Brook Muir
der Re-Told.
McReavey's Son Describes the
Scene at the Old Camp.
What Graves Said When the War
dens Lay Dead.
Mcfarland Committed to J. all Until
the Supreme Court Meets.

Mcfarland Committed to all Until
the Supreme Court Meets.
Especial to the Press.)
MAcHIAs, Nov. 16.-The hearing in the
case of James Mcfarland, the Hancock
poacher of Maine, occurred at this place to-
day. There was a large crowd waiting for
the hall to open two hours before the APP
pointed time. AT 1045 a. m. the court open
ed, with Trial Justice Mason H. Wilder in
attendance. County Attorney Liyermore of
Eastport, and C. B. Donworth of Machias,
counsel for the State, and Geo. B. Dutton Of
Ellsworth, counsel for the prisoner. Sheriff
Fields of Ellsworth and Deputies Longfellow
and Vose of Machias were present. The
prisoner looked broken and feeble in health
Ira p. McReavey
was first put upon the stand and gave very
clear narration of the tragedy He said that
he left his home at Whitneyville on Nov.
I'd, and went to Wesley. He camped on
the other side of Machias River, near Ba-
cons. This is his narration: 81 was with
my father, Thomas McReavey. | am 16
years old next December. From the main
river we went to Fletcher Brook and camp
ed there two nights Monday morning, Nov.
Sth, we were at Robert McReavey's camp by
the 4th lake of Machias River, and started
ior Fletcher Brock. On the way, at the 9Th
iake stream, we parted and agreed to meet at
the Fletcher Brook House at noon or soon
after When came TO the Fletcher Brook
House, Graves and Mcfarland were in the
door yard with dog which came towards
me yelping. | went into the cellar and put
up my horse. Graves helped me. | then
went into the house. In short time Niles
drove up with Hills team went into the
cellar with Niles and helped him to put up
his team. While we were in the cellar Hill
came, and then went above. We heard
MIN talking with the other men
about the game laws and dogs. Niles
united Hills horse. and asked if mine
would kick; told him | did not know.
lie said: Hold mine, win fix it so he can't
Niles asked who these men were. told him
didn't know: He again asked if they had
a dog. said, Yes Niles said These
are ar the men we have been watching, and
and found them talking of the game laws and
dogs. Niles filed Hills pipe and lighted it.
They tied the dog after Niles drove up. 1t
was tied in the house. told them These
men are wardens.' Before the wardens
came, Graves and Mcfarland said: we will
go and hunt near the edge of the burnt land,
but after said: We win leave, for we shall
be talking game laws, etc, all night Hill
asked their names, and said he knew men in
Hancock who had from one to ten dogs.
They then stopped talking and commenced
packing and taking dunnage from the house.
After 1t was all out Hill came out and said:
i guess we will take the dog Mcfarland
was IN the wagon with the dog, with his gun
by his side on the seat Mcfarland said:
You can't have the dog. I win take you
for my main evidence, was the reply. Miles
then took off his jacket and threw It down.
AZ this moment Graves, standing behind
Niles, threw two shells into his gnn.
Niles then started for the wagon to take the
dog, and when within about two feet of the
wagon saw Graves pointing the gun into his
face, and said. Hold on" but before the
words were fairly uttered he was shot; and
then, quicker than thought. Graves turned
the second barrel on Hill. Neither Hill or
Niles were armed at the time. Niles rifle
was standing against the house, and Hill was
with nothing in his hand. Niles fell in his
tracks, the gun being within few inches of
his face. Hill put up his hand to the top of
his chest, moved about ten feet and fell dead.
After the shooting, / went to my wagon
and then to the cellar. When / returned
from the cellar, Graves had Niles rifle in his
hand, and said: See, this gun Is cooked l
said: Yes, If ever gun was cooked I'M
mediately after the shooting, Graves said, as
Niles drew his last breath: God damn you;
no man cocks his gun on me. Jim, / told
you no man gets the best of me-" Both men
commenced packing. l asked Mcfarland
where my quilt was. He did not answer,
but Graves told me, and | started out on the
9TH lake truck road, expecting father to come
in on that road. l found my quilt, and kept
on beyond the quilt, but after a time turned
and came back towarde the Fletcher Brook
House, thinking it time for those men to
leave. Father called me, but | did not ans
wer. fearing it was Graves calling. / went
further and returned to Fletcher Brook
House. 1t was Is or 20 minutes before / re-
turned"
The witness then identified Mcfarland.
Thomas McReavy's evidence was then
taken. He said: II left my son at Fifth
Lake Stream, and we agreed to meet soon
after dinner / was Alone When | reached
Fletcher Brook l saw two men. did not
then know them, but do now. Mcfarland
was looking for something near the corner
of the house. Graves was in the wagon
which was in hollow about four rods from
the house. | had a talk with both men.
Graves said; This is a hard looking sight
SAID What is it| He answered, Those
men,, men, pointing. to the ground. | asked:
Who are theyY He answered: 'Wardens'
| stepped up to Niles, but did not know
him. | then went up to the other, and said
Good God! this is Hill, .one-armed sol
dier! Pointing to Niles, he said: THAT
to my breast. had to shoot him in self
defence. Pointing to Hill, said: "What
did you shoot him for. He would not shoot
you? He said: To keep him from shooting
me NIT raIiduu Ilen salu. les, ne WOulu,
for he told Niles to shoot both Of us
told them they were in an awful scrape
and that would not shoot a man for all the
dogs in the State. MrFarland said nor L.
putting his hand to his heart / then asked
I my son was all right, and they answered
es. went after him and soon found him
and returned to the camp they had left.
Graves said he intended to give himself up
to the officers and he left. told them /
would notify the people and take care of the
bodies. came to Machias as soon as
could"
After an appeal for bail the prisoner was
committed without bail to await the action
of the Supreme Court to be holden at Ma
chias the second Tuesday of January. The
decision of Trial Justice Wilder is sane
TONED by all. The court adjourned at 4.3O
p. IN.
1t is reported that last Saturday the wife
of Mcfarland, who was with Graves at the
time the wardens were shot, said to q man
who talked with her about the shooting:
"My husband is all right He only stood
by at the time He didn't kill either man.
He was some little way off, and was too
wardens, my husband said to him that it was
a dreadful thing to do. Graves, he told my
man to keep quiet or he'd be put out of the
way; and he had to.
HOW DO you know all thiS?" asked the
man, and Mrs. Mcfarland flushed, seemed
to be confused and replied:
81 read about it in paper"
what paper?"
81 don't remember"
This goes to confirm the theory that Nc
Farland was in communication with mem-
bers of his family, and perhaps others, some
days before he was finally arrested.
There is an opinion entertained by some
that Graves is still concealed near his own
home.
As early as Thursday and Friday McFar-
land met parties and agreed to surrender
| himself Sunday evening, it is said.
THAT REPORTED MURDER.