The Portland daily press., 1893-01-03

MlQnlEnJ encounter III 0OFhdAi.
The case of Clarence Ford accused of
being Irving pal in the entering of the
Gorham post Office, was concluded be-
fore U. S. Commissioner Bradley yes
terday forenoon, and Ford was dis
charged. So far as the evidence goes to
show, Ford is perfectly innocent of any
criminal act; and has been dragged
through Jail and no little trouble besides
simply because the scoundrelly Irving
took the caprice to lie about him. Ford
got acquainted with Irving while the
two worked in Providence sewing ma
chine office, and Irving came here and
renewed the acquaintance. 1t is to
Ford's credit that Irving took a violent
dislike to him.
The hearing yesterday related to the
break into the Gorham post Office, in the
early Sundaymorning of December 18th,
the affair which was uncovered by the
courage of Mr.. Isaac A. Hanson, of that
town. District Attorney Dyer appeared
for The government and Levi Turner, Jr.,
for the defence.
Mr. Isaac A. Hanson testified that he
lived in Gorham, where the post Office
was robbed Sunday morning, December
18th. He was going home that morning
about o'clock, and saw two men near
the post office. In crossing the square
near r. G. Harding's store, one of them
said to the other, II wonder what he
wants. / turned around and said,
"What do you want?' They answered,
s'What in b. do you want?'' and drew
a revolver. We had little scufile, and
they fed, dropping some things which |
found to be postal cards. Mr.. Hanson
said he had seen one of those men since.
1t was Irving, the man who presented
the pistol. The other man was about
six feet distant. In size, Ford looks
very much like that man. He had on at
that time a short coat, like REFER. Mr..
Hanson had noticed Ford in Jail since.
had looked at him closely and came to
the conclusion that he looked like the
man with Irving.
Mr.. Hanson heard a conversation at
that time between Ford and Deputy
Marshal Smith, during which Smith
asked Ford if the latter had received or
disposed of any stamps since the Cor
ham robbery. Ford said he had not
Witness said at the time of the Cor
ham affair, it was quite light, a thin
haze being over the moon. Irving's
companion seemed to be smooth shaver
and to have very short, stubby mus
tache. His coat was dark, and he had
on derby hat. Witness could not say
as to his trousers or boots.
On being cross questioned by Mr..
Turner, the witness admitted that his
temper was up when Irving drew the re-
volver. He started straight at the re-
volver, whereupon Irving wavered and
put the revolver in his pocket before the
witness got to him. When witness got
to close quarters he hit Irving, and was
hit in turn by whom he could not say.
The other fellow ran, but was called
back. In size that one resembled Ford;
but witness could not testify to other
points of similarity.
Col. Henry L. Millett, postmaster of
Gorham, testified as to what was taken
from the post Office. Not more than two
special delivery stamps could have been
taken.
Mrs. Rachel E. Miller, of Great Che
beague, testified that she had known
Ford for six weeks, and that he married
her niece. She met him in jamestown,
r. l., and he accompanied her home.
She did not know Fred Irving, but had
seen him in the hospital. InProvidence on
the way to Maine, Ford met man and
had quite conference with him. He
did not tell her who the man was, but
told his wife. Witness could not re-
member what name he gave to the man.
Witness saw the man, but could not say
positively that he was Irving. On the
way to Maine, Ford had said that the
gentleman whom he met in Providence
had come to Portland and he, Ford, had
roomed with him one night. Ford and
his wife reached Chebeague December
9th, stopping that night at witnesses
daughters, Mrs Dyer. The next morn
ing Ford's wife and two daughters came
to witnesses house and remained two
weeks while Ford came to Portland.
Witness saw Ford again Tuesday night
the 9Th, when he came to Chebeague and
stayed over night. He went back to
Portland Friday morning, and returned
Saturday night, the 10th. on the boat,
ate supper with her that night, went up
stairs with his wife about s o'clock, and
was on hand at breakfast the next morn
ing. Witness slept with little girl on
the first floor, while her young son slept
up stairs in the room next to Ford's.
Sunday morning Ford came down
stairs while witness was getting break
fast. 1t was about o'clock. Her house
is small, 21x25 feet. The front stairs are