The Portland daily press., 1895-09-16

| nave Deeu duOtuer feature to the ciSo LIZ
less to be looked for. 1t is said that for a
long time Webster was asked to make ou'
bill for every box of tobacco he sold tc
Hamlin, and this fact will probably DC
used by Hamlin in defence of himself.
1t can be also said that Hamlin denies
in the strongest terms that he was even
in the store of Skillin, Hawkes. & Co.,
| in the night, either alone or in company
with Arthur G. Webster, that he ever
to ok any goods of any kind from thelr
store, or that he had any knowledge
whatever where Webster obtained the
goods. He also denies that he was the
man who was seen on Commercial street
by Mr. Skillin and Mr. Hawkes. when
| they recognized the young fellow in the
buggy as Arthur Webster. In short ne
makes general and special denial, and
cit will be his word against that OF
Webster" as one of his friends said yes
terday.
The connection of Mr.. Edgar T..
Rounds with the case was wholly due to
the fact that in May last, Hamlin
borrowed $500 of him, giving him bill OF
sale of the little store and fixtures, two
horses, a harness, wagons and other
property. Saturday, Skillin, Hawkes. q
Col, attach ed the stock in the store, and
yesterday Mr.. Rounds took delivery OF
the personal property under his bill OF
sale, and sent the horses over to the stable
Of Samuel D. Randall, for keeping.
"a has hann Sfat6d
Mr. Rounds went to Buxton to make
some further business arrangements in
view of the fact that Hamlin was to give
himself up.
Hamlin had been building stable, and
it was supposed that he owned it, but
Saturday it was attached by the man
who built it. and who had received
nothing for his labor, and second at
tachment was put on by the parties who
furnished the lumber.
The case will be brought before Judge
Robinson Wednesday, although the state
may not be ready at that time to produce
its full case.
More of the property alleged to have
been stolen by Webster will be produced
this morning, when Deputy Sterling
finds time to look for it. 1t is understood
that the information where it is located
comes from Hamlin, and that the
plumber will include large and costly
Bible. AS Deputy Sterling put it last
night: ''The property seems TO be
sea ttered all over town."
The police believe that Hamlin is the
principal in quite an extensive conspiracy
for stealing and disposing of goods from
one or two Commercial street stores.
The exposure of the conspiracy came
Saturday, and was Immediately followed
Saturday evening by the suicide of John
Hernandez, the keeper of the tobacco
store on Commercial street. Hernandez
had enough connection with the affair to
be frightened into shooting himself.
1t is believed that the amount of
property is large An estimate of between
$1,000 and $4,000 has been made, but a
police officer who has been working the
case up, thinks the full amount will
never be known.
The exposure came through the arrest
Friday evening of Arthur G. Webster, a
young man nineteen years of age, who
was formerly employed by Ira G. Stock
bridge as an usher, and for other work.
More recently he has been employed by
Joyce Bros. & Co., dealers in books and
silverware at 1867 Middle street. While
with Mr.. Stockbridge Webster had begun
his career of dishonesty; and he was
arrested for taking money from the box
office at Kotzschmar hall On account of
the boys mother the matter was dropped.
1t is believed now that Mr. Stockbridge's
losses were considerable through Webster.
That, however, has nothing to do with
the present case, in which Webster be-
came involved last February. Webster
has brother named Edward Webster,
who works for Skillin, Hawkes. & Co.,
the Commercial street wholesalers. He is
trusted by his employers, and no one
seems to suspect him of completely in his
brothers. performances.
One Sunday, several months ago,
Arthur G. Webster stole from his
brothers. room key to Skillin, Hawkes.
& Co. s store. Edward Webster informed
his employers that he had lost the key,
and they gave him another, without
changing the lock. OF Edwards honesty
they express no doubts, and are standing
by him in the trying position brought
about by his brothers dishonesty
Arthur G. Webster, soon after his
arrest, made confession to the officers.
in which he stated that he carried the
key taken from his brother room to the
livery
STABLE OF GEORGE B. MERROW.
on Chestnut street He represents that
Merrow-who by the way has record
got duplicate key made. From Morrow
also Webster used to obtain nightly a
| team which he used in carrying away the
articles which he took from the store.
When Morrow sold his stable to Charles
j. Berry, the present proprietor, he
recommended Webster as a good and re-
liable customer.
The police thought Merrow's connection
with the case serious enough to warrant
his arrest, and Deputy Hartnett brought