The Portland daily press., 1888-03-01
FOR RosB,No PETER BENNETT.
Or. George r. Weed of Newport, In
the Bangor Jail.
The story of the Doctors Connection
With the Crime.
How the Robbery Was Planned
and Executed.
Especial to the Press. ]

| DANGOh, ICD. AO.--lJhs NcON VA ANSNPOAei
who is under orrest for participation in the
robbery of Peter Bennett, had been on famil-
lar terms with the old man. The story told
of his connection with the crime is as fol-
lows: Weed sent for Whitney, who was in
New York, to come down and do the job
bringing areliabe man with him, and he
selected Foster On the Saturday night pre-
vlous to the robbery. Whitney arrived at
Newport and went to his fathers, ostensibly
ON cunning expedition. remaining there
during Sunday. In the evening he departed
saying that he was going to Boston. He
boarded the evening train at the station, but
instead of continuing on, he jumped off at
the first switch and by appointment, was
Joined by Foster who arrived on the Sunday
morning Pullman and looked around the
place during the day. The two after meet
ing went to Weeds, which is but short dis
tance from Whitney's fathers, and remained
there until the thour of the robbery. The
three then sailed out and entered Peter Ben
nett's room together. In the hubbub that
eusued in securing the trunk
Weed became frightened and ran off.
But not far, however, and after his COM
panions had secured the booty, he Joined
them. He then took nearly all of the mon
ey and placed it in leather sack which
Whitney had and carried it home, seereting
it and giving Whitney and Foster what they
regarded as sufficient to meet their wants in
making their escape, the amount being
about $4,000. On Monday they secreted
themselves in the woods, but the following
night made all the headway possible on and
Tuesday morning, footsore and weary, they
called at a farmhouse to get some breakfast,
and taking up paper, for the first time
learned OF the large amount of money they
had taken, some $4,000. They then contin-
ued on until arrested.
Then comes in complication
Only about $2400 has been obtained here of
the money, which they had, so it is said, and
Whitney claims that $500 has been kept back
by certain parties. The first inkling that
the Bangor officers got that Weed was impli-
Gated, was when they ascertained that on
the night messenger went to summon him
tos attend Bennett, the doctor was not at
home and could not be found. DR.. Harvey
was then called, and he first attended the old
gentleman, Weed going over late the next
morning, and dressing the wounds. When
asked by the officers where he was that
night, he could give no explanation. The
denOuement came when Foster pleaded gull
ty. This obliged Whitney, to take the same
coursesandlh dlhedivHlged the secret OF the crime.
Through parties in this city, he received nu-
merous letters from Weed in relation to the
affair, and these are in possession of the Off
GERS, and will be produced at the trial, fur
nishing undispntable evidence conyicting
Weed. In one of them he says he removed
the money from Whitney's sack, burning the
leather and throwing the iron frame into
Newport Pond. Since then the frame has
been found by the officers. Weed, knowing
that Whitney had "squealed" on him, gave
up $4,000 to parties in this city, 1t is not
known conclusiyely who, leaving some elgnt
or ten thousand unaccounted Tor. Here Is
where a difficulty arises, as 1t is believed
that he retained a portion of it, and 1t is
stated that other parties In the city are nsn-
ing after a slice of this. 1t is not probable
that Whitney and Foster Will be sentenced
Thomaston they would not testify against
Weed, who cannot be tried at this term.
The Arrest.
BANGoR, Feb. 29.--Dr. George f. Weed Of
Newport was arrested at his residence last
night by Sheriff Brown of Bangor, for being
connected with Whitney and Foster in the
robbery of Peter Bennett. For some time
the officers had suspected Dir. Weed as one
of the Bennett robbers, and it is believed
that the confessions Of Whitney and Foster
caused his immediate arrest. DIR. Weed is
well known physician Of Newport, and his
arrest is another sensational development in
this interesting case Suspicious have rested
on him for some time but on account of his
position in the community where he resided.
and the fact that nothing definite could be
traced to him, the officers were kept from
placing him under arrest. The recent con-
fessions of the other two prisoners, Whitney
and Foster, have no doubt implicated DIR.
Weed as having hand in the robbery, al
though that part of the confession has not as
yet been made public.
The arrest was made by Sheriff Brown
and Deputy Sheriff Mallory who went to
Newport ON last evenings train. The pris-
oner was taken to Bangor on special freight
train which arrived at 2 O'Clock this morning
when he was taken to the county Jail. Dr.
Weed refused to see reporter this morning
and requested that no one be admitted to see
him. The officers also refuse to tell much
about the affair as yet. The fact that Ben
nett claims to have lost $4,000 while Whit
ney and Foster claim to have taken only $40
600 has led to the belief that others were
the money. The statement of Mr.. Bennett
that he believed some of his money was in
circulation in Newport shortly after the rob
berry also pointed to the same fact and 1t
would appear now that some disagreement
about a division of the spoils had exposed
the affair more fully and led to the arrest OF
DIR. Weed.