Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-03-25
PITTS ALIAS BROWN.
Interview With Alleged Embezzler and
Incendiary from Philadelphia.
Denies All knowledge Of Alleged Crimes
will Talk But Little.

he SuOppeu at ulHerenL hotels ana went
by the name Of Joseph Brown. He was
apparently man of peace and not des-
perate character, but he is now in Kenne-
bee Jail under serious charges, that the
following will explain. His real name is
said to be John p. Pitts
Marshal Bean, just previous to his de-
parture for the Reform school, Friday
afternoon, with the young Maher boy re-
ceived the following telegram:
Philadelphia, March %.
Chief Of Police, Augusta.
We hold warrant having requisition pa
pers prepared for the arrest of John P.
Pitts, light brown skin, negro, age 90,
five feet five inches in height, 1870 lbs,
smooth face hair cut pompadour, wore
blue overcoat, velvet color, blush colored
trousers, black derby hat, patent leather
shoes, is at Hotel North under name of
Joseph Brown, expects his trunks to be
sent under that name, Is waiter and
sporting man. Is wanted for larceny and
receiving $4,000, and arson. Search for
money, arrest and wire.
r. J. Linden, Supt. of Police.
Search was made for the man during
the afternoon and evening, but without
success When Marshal Bean returned
on the Pullman, Saturday morning, from
the Reform school, the night officers were
put on the trail and in less than an hour,
Mr.. Brown, or Pitts, was in Jail, having
been found by Officers Mcdonald and
Thompson in bed at Couvercttc's board
ing house on State street, as told in
Saturdays Journal.
Saturday morning ournal man called
upon him at the Jail and failed to find
him in very talkative mood He pro-
tested his innocence of the charges made
against him, and says that he never saw
any such money.
"Have you ever been in Maine before:''
asked the reporter.
"No, this is my first visit" he ems
wored without any hesitation.
What did you come down this way
for"
II thought possibly that ] might get
work"
"How about the charge that you have
embezzled $4,000 at Philadelphia" was
the reporters next query.
ct is FALSE he said, adding with some
emphasis, "They now have me in Jail
and then the next thing that they think
they can do is to prove something against
me, but they can't do it. 1t is suspicion
and somebody of course must be arrested
i don't care what they do with me-"
"Whcrc is your home?"
Il am Southerner, and was born in
North Carolina.
where did you como from to this city,"
Il was in Boston two weeks before |
struck Maine"
"Wcre you ever in jail beforc?'
"No, this is the first time that 1 was
ever arrested
You have lived in Philadelphia some
time then have you?"
eyes, have passed part of my time
there
what was your business"
II have been engaged in different kinds
of work. Some of the time have waited
upon tables in hotels and have Travelled
with shows, as I am a clog dancer. can
make my living anywhere.
In the course of the interview brown
said that when he was arrested he Thought
that he had been taken for running away
from woman that he had recently mar
ried, and that this was the reason he was
so particular to see the papers before he
went with the officers
He said that he had but little money
with him, and If he had any such amount
as was said he would not be around these
diggings. He was dressed in the manner
described in the telegram and one would
get the impression from talking with him
that he has seen much of the world. He
is quite q ready talker and uses good Ian
guagc. The journal man failed to see
that no manifested any uneasiness during
the time that they were talking.
Officers Mcdonald and Thompson went
to the house on State street where Brown
was staying, about 8 O'Clock in the morn
ing. Brown was sleeping when the offl-
GERS went to his room. Mcdonald stood at
one side of the bed and Thompson at the
other. He was aroused from his slumbers
and when the situation was taken in,
Brown reached under his pillow for his
revolver, but the officers were on the alert
and seized the weapon.
At first he was not inclined to go with
the officers, but finding that he might be
taken forcibly, decided to so along peace
ably.
Saturday forenoon, Marshal Bean re-
ceiyed from the chief of police at Phila
delphia, telegram asking if Brown woule
20 there without requisition papers, which
he emphatically refused to do. Word wa'
sent to Philadelphia to this effect and ;
= Il III