Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-09-30
A HARD RECORD.
Some of the Events in the Life Of
George BARLEY
Nov Confined in Nofridgewock IaiI On a
Charge Of Liquor Selling.


George Bartley who is confined in Norridge-
wock Jail awaiting trial for liquor selling
has led an eventful life lie is Il character
and one that has caused the officers of the
law much trouble. The stirring incidents
of his life would make up large volume.
BARLEY WAS born in England "a years
ago and has been in America about fifty
years. He is about j feet 10 inches tall
and weighed when arrested lG0 pounds.
His home in Canada is about four miles
north of The Line" He it is who has
caused the residents of both sides of the
iron posts to trembie with fear, and the
mention of whose name carries with it an
anticipation of any kind of danger and
trouble.
BARLEY made a business of farming and
smuggling, being very bold about the latter
occupation. He eyaded the officers sue
cessfully for many years by his knowledge
of woodcraft and the assistance of hired
tools. He first appeared on the criminal
stage fifteen years ago when the Canadian
authorities wanted him. Two officers were
sent out from St. Joseph, Canada, to cap
ture him. When they arrived at Bartley's
home they found that George had flown.
The officers wanted something to show for
their trip. so they arrested one of Bartley's
sons and started to return 10 st. Joseph,
/ The road ran through dismal stretch of
woods. The boy was seated between the
two officers, and as the party approached
the woods, he dropped his head down to-
ward his knees. When the party had well
entered the woods, the reports of two rifle
shots rang out in quick succession and the
next instant one officer lay dying in the
road the other was severely wounded and
the boy was free.
Who fired the shots? No one knew, but
the Canadian authorities were inclined to
think that George Barley was the murderer
and so price was put upon his head. Af-
ter months of diligent work by detectives.
BARLEY was at last captured. In the mean-
time he had been pursuing his usual busi-
ness of smuggling. He was taken to st.
Joseph and placed in jail to await trial.
He was worth considerable property, and
employed the best of counsel and he had
many friends who supported him IN every
way possible. lie was tried, the evidence
was insufficient he was acquitted, and he
returned home to make things hum.
His business was to smuggle llquor and
other taxable goods into Maine the settle
ment at Moose River now known as Jack
man. being his marketing place. Here he
peddled out ''fire-water" to the hundreds OF
woodsmen and river-drivers who labor in
that section.
II is said that if anyone complained of
him or otherwise courted his disp!easure,
that person might look for any kind of
trouble.
Officers sought him in vain for quite a
period of time but at last, three years ago,
Can't. Vaughan, then sheriff of Somerset
county, got together posse of deputies
and left Skowhegan for Moose River de-
termined to capture him. During the con
struction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad
through northern Somerset, Barley run a
shanty close to the line of the road, and his
business was brisk.
When Sheriff Vaughan and posse de-
scenled on Bartley's shanty they found the
old man at home, and evidently mach sur
nrised, He looked fight but the officers
were too many for him and in spite ct the
fact that he had said he would never be
taken alive, he surrendered at once. He
WAS placed in Norrilgewock Jail until the
county made up its bill against HIM for sell
ing Iiouor. He paid the bill and was then
turned over to nited States marshal who
took him to Portland. He obtained bonds
"
Adams taking as security the deed of
house and other property that BARLEY
claimed to own. once more free he went
home and at once set up in business. He
did not appear in court when wanted SO
Mr. ,dams hal to put up $500. BARLEY
occupied the house that he had decided TO
Adams and the latter ordered the family
out. The family wanted to stay ami an
80, a1.4lf 4
time after the house was blown up with
dynamite. Later BARLEY opened up "a
shop in clump of bushes about twenty
rods from the depot at jackman
Hartley dealt the stuff out with one hand
and held a revolver in the other. When
ADAMS building was blown up Adams
thouybt he would see what conll be done.
lie informed Deputy Sheriff Brown of
Dingbam. an officer of grit, that he wanted
RartIey arrested Brown enlisted the ser
vices of A couple of good men and marched
AGAINST the stronghold of the desperate.
Arriving a, .yackman the officers put on
make-believe drunken air. and, entering
the bushes where Bartlcy was with his run,
and revolver. called for something to take.
The oIl man was off his guard. Ut once
the officers sprang upou him and after II
severe struggle succeeded in putting on the
/ ;rons When the officers let him up he
snapped the chains of the handouts and
another struggle ensued. At last he was
securely bound and the officers took hm
away. Thi. was in June. 81. lie was
again placed in Norridgwoek jail, tried
fined and sentenced. lie served his time,
was taken in hand again BY the United
States marshal served time in Portland,
, and last june he was brought back to Nor
r,deewo to await trial at the present term
of court He has once made an inehectnai
attemp, TO escape from JAIL oi'e nay
while Jaiier Neasie was passing pail OF
water through the door of the Jall eorrldor'
BARLEY sprans ont into the hall. Neasie
seized him however and after sharp
struggle brought him 10 terms. lie VIII
he arrai sne4l fer Srial or sentence next
I week