Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-20
CAPTURED.
Lake, Alias Ford, Wanted for Larceny, is
Arrested in Strong.
His Story as Told Journal Reporter
He Claims Bis Innoceuce.

Officer Breen and Mr. Horace Cony re-
turned last night with John w Lake who is
wanted in this city for the larceny of atesm
from Cony Brothers livery stable. Lake
first came to this city about four weeks ago
with his son and registered at the Cony
House as j. F. Ford, NJ. D., of New York.
He staid about town for week and then
applied for team. which was given him.
He agreed to be back in ten days a. the least.
Three weeks passed and the owners of the
team, who bad heard once from him. started
out after their property. They wen: to
Pennington. where they heard from him,
and pushed on up to Phillips. He had Just
left that town to go to Strong. The officer
arrested him at the latter place in
his cousins house yesterday morning at
about eight O'Clock. He was brought to this
city ami aced in jail lsst night. He WAS
Interviewed oy Journal reporter and told
substantially the following story in answer to
questions Ny real name is John W. Lake.
but my professional name urder which
travel WHEN on the road is J. F. Ford, NJ.
D. am a years old next Friday. Have
a wife whom do not live with and a son Fred
who was with me in this city but who has
gone TO Lewiston. / live in New York. Was
borne in New Sharon. Served in the war in
the 18th Maine regiment and was honprzbiy
discharged Am pensioner. | called on
my old cartaih, Capt Belcher of Farming
ton today | have been connected with the
aires as see, et and manager, and am
now under e,nirsct 70 20 as advance agent to
the Clara N aris company at a salary OF $50
per week. have been quack doctor for
several sca-s and nave engaged
in nearly every kind of bus
iness Hare been abroad twice. once
With Prof Bsli~in. Was gone ten months.
am innocent of any intention Of stealing
she Il am. | hired the team at two dollars
per day Of Mr.. Cony with shoai went to
school =, the u rigo Business College, where
l graduated in 1859. | intended to 20 fish
ing at Cobboss-econtee Lake for some days
and said would return in a week or ten
days at most. The weather was bad and we
couldn't camp nut. From here we went TO
Maj, ia where my half sister lives. From
Madrid wrote cony that would not return
for another week, that is that wouli start
the next Monday. which was last Moniay.
which would bring me here on Thursday.
But the weather vas bad and did not start
until Friday for home. l went to Strong on
that day and visited my cousin in that town
Friday. In Ansoa visited another cousin
Saturday night On Sunday went back to
Strong. in;s nding to start for Augusta in the
morning, and was on my way home ~ith the
team whea arrested I told the officers that
I vas on my way home, 80 did my folks
where tbey called. Ny sister told them At
| Nadfid tast was going to call at my annt's
| in Stfogg and that is where they found me.
In further conversation he admins Of having
| lived in Richmond where his fathers folks
live, about fifteen years ago. He knew Of
| crooked transactions there but vas not con-
cerped in them personally. He admitted to
having been imprisoned in Nev York State
for crime committed when broker in New
York City but be Gays he neseY served .
tern out. having been acquitted. 1t 10 ssid
that be has served tvo year, in Sing Sing
/ Ard il . noted crock and light fingered gem
tIenan. He u quite good looking. dark
esmpIexioned sish ..mussoa chop" side
| vhiskefs, 10 tall and veil prupofrioned and
olks in smooeh. vel edscaied manSes.