The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-04-13
ROMANCE OF THE BANGOR OUTLAW.
There May be Stirring Times up
Along the Maine Border.
A Yankee Rum Fiend Who
Figures In the Case.
Story Told by a Megantic Citizen
Friendly to Morrison.


titles him to the highest respect. gives what
he alleges to be the true history of the Me-
gantic murder case and the perpetrator of
the crime, Donald Morrison, whose attempt
ed arrest at the present time by small army
of police is exciting that entire district of
country. The information is based upon an
intimate personal knowledge not only of the
criminal and his family, but of all the facts
of the case from first to last.
Donald Morrison, the alleged outlaw, is %
years of age and single. Personally he is as
fine looking, brave. kind hearted and honor
able man ss one could wish to see. In
early life he was devoted to cattle ranching
as ''cow boy" in the States. Becoming
tired of that mode of living, he returned
home few years ago with the intention of
settling down on the homestead with his
father, who was now growing old. Finding
an encumbrance of $3.50 on the farm, he paid
that off, and for the next year or two worked
the place, which however he found to be too
small (only 100 acres to warrant adequate
returns for all concerned. At the end of a
couple of years he therefore proposed that
his father should pay him $500 in cash and
he would set out again for himself. This
his father refused to do, most probably be-
cause of his-ayersion to have Donald leave
him. Both proving obdurate, Donald con-
suited q lawyer, who advised him to sue his
father for $a50-$750 paid out and $500 for
work. Meantime the father also took coun-
sci OF money broker in the place, Mr.. Nc
Cauley, to whom he owed $780, the end of
which was that he (the father mortgaged
the farm to Mr.. McCauley, for $1,000. seceiy-
fF.rr ia annh ax.d 49,
for $500 more. At the bottom of this note
was inserted paragraph, unknown to the
holder, who can neither read nor write, to
the effect that the money was to be paid mot
on the note, but on the mortgage" 1t tran
splred afterwards, moreover, that Nc
one another. Following in the course of
time the advice he had received, Donald sued
his father and got judgement against him
for $3.50, but he refused to have the sheriff
take action upon it, though vehemently
Donald departing for the States again and
leaving the case in the lawyers hands with
the injunction that, If the place must be sold
l. should not be sacrificed. Very shortly af-
terward the farm was put up for sale. The
the amount of his own fees. McCauley fol
lowed with bid of $1,000. On Donald's be-
half the other then went up 500 but to the
amazement OF all present and contrary to all
precedent, the farm was knocked down to
McCauley. Hearing of these proceedings,
Donald came back to Megantic, and after
consulting a new lawyer, who advised him
that the sale could be set aside, took posses
sion OF the homestead ordering away some
men whom McCauley had employed to work
there. For this McCauley had him tempor-
arily goaled. While thus incarcerated Nc
Cauley's men by order broke into
Donald's house and threw his
effects outside. At the trial
which shortly followed Donald was acquit-
ted and then he in turn had McCauley ar
rested. The latter gave bail for his appear
ance. but meanwhile the actual house
breakers, the only evidence against him,
escaped over the lines. While matters were
In this confused state and Donald roaming
about forwitnesses, McCauley took advantage
of an early opportunity, sold the farm out
and left the district. Then followed shortly
the burning of the outbuildings
and the demolition of the clock by bullet
while the mistress of the house was winding
II up.both OF which outrages were prompt
ly laid at Donald's door-and a warrant
issued for his arrest. The mere issuing OF
the parchment was simple enough, but who
could be found to serve it? Not one in the
district, all knowing but too well of Donald's
was about this time that Jack Warren" an
American whiskey smuggler and escaped
convict, arrived at Megantie, who, hearing
of the Morrison warrant and the difficulties
surrounding it, volunteered his services as
constable. Getting. himself sworn in by
local j. P. Warren began to 'lay low" for
his man whom he repeatedly declared he
would shoot down like dog on the slightest
resistance being offered-boasts which did
not fail in due course to reach Morrison's
ears and put him on his guard.
The two men accidentally sighted one an
other for the first time on opposite sides of
the street, and knew each other instructive
ly. Donald heard Warren inquire of some
one near by, SIS that Morrison ?" and on re-
ceiying an affirmative reply saw him go into
an hotel close by, where it appears he forti-
fled himself with two large goblets Of bran
dy. Warren then crossed the street to
where Donald was standing and confronted
him, staring him sullenly in the face, but
without speaking-his hand meanwhile
stealing gently round towards his hip
pocket; pSs .n Keep away from me-" said Don
Donald then crossed over to the other side
OF the road, but Warren followed and again
confronted him as before. A second and
third time was this repeated, but Warren
mad now withdrawn his revolver, which
was, however, in its cover. Not a word
more had been spoken on either side. DON
aid had as yet made no movement towards
his weapon, but. on seeing Warren at length
deliberately unsheath his, he called out to
those around who had been keenly watching
life is as dear to me, boys, as his is to him.
suddenly drew his revolver and shot his man
dead.
"Briefly stated the case stands thus DON
aid has been driven to despair. His father
lost the homestead mainly through the
fraudulent entry upon note he could not
read. Donald himself has also been turned
out in the cold after expending $3.50 cash
and two years work on the place, and pay
ing out some $500 besides to lawyers-nine
in number altogether-who, he alleges, had
been in collusiOn to fleece him.
s'He will never be taken alive, An army of
hundreds could not find him IN that forest
wilderness, every tree Of which is as famil-
lar to him as his alphabet. The whole dis
trict also 6ympathizes with him and wonld
doubt not, fight for him, knowing his great
wrongs.
"He will not be easily taken. If discovered.
He will die first, and the constables know he
will sell his life dearly, and can do so. Men
have seen him repeatedly nip clothes line
with his revolver at distance of eight or
ten rods without missing a shot.
"He longs to be tried-but not In Sher-
brooke, where he is morally certain he will
not get justice. Were hessure of his case being
transferred to Montreal or Quebec, he would
give himself up tomorrow, but to Sherbrooke,
where all his enemies reside, he will come in
only one way-as corpse"
1t is believed movements now on foot to
consult eminent counsel on Morrison's be-
half. The culprit will then, If so advised,
give himself up to his friends, who can
thereupon claim the $4,000 reward offered for
his apprehension, and expend it in his de-
fence There is but one feeling on the SUBJ
ject in Megantic, it is declared, and that is a
feeling of pity and sympathy for the unfor-
tunate oulprit, by both old and yeung, male
and female. who claim that his wrongs more
than counterbalance his crime.