Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-05-24
Daily gennehee auuraal.
KING CAPTURED
Continued from page -

given to him by the cashier at the time
he took the money from the bank, with
the statement that they containel
checks, and that they should be mailed
There were letters in envelopes of the
Rangeley Lake house, evidently ad-
dressed to chums of King. The seven
letters in the square envelopes We're
addressed to the Boylston National
Bank. Following the directions of the
bank, sent all these letters unopened
King, when arrested, seemed uncon-
cerned, and did not break down until
after he turned over the money to us
Then he completely succumbed and
cried, and was greatly disturbed for an
hour or two
"Over two weeks ago, with Robert
Jones, a ehum, 1 suggested the rob-
berry of the bank. But Jones advised
me not to carry out the scheme.
also talked over these plans with Har-
old Baker, Quincy high school stu
dent, and with John Lingley, who is
employed in a cigar store at 226 State
street. These boys all persuaded me
to give up the plan. and did so, and
never intended to take the money, but
finally the temptation was too great
and in a moment of weakness, I yield
ed.
about II O'Clock in the morning
left the Boylston National Bank with
checks for S20,0 900 on a New York bank
and draft for $4,000. I went to the
Freeman's Bank and got the $4,000 in
bills for the check, and paid SLIGO for
the accommodation. Next l should
have gone to the Bank of Commerce,
but instead, I went to the Union Bank
and obtained an order for SIS. 900 on the
clearing house and a $4,000 certificate,
for which l got ten $1,000 bills from
another bank.
Il then went to the clearing house
and paid them s1559O, and afterward
went up to Washington street as far as
Hanover, where l went into bicycle
store and looked at some bicycles,
thinking that l would buy a machine
to ride from the city.
Il changed my mind. I then went to
the Union station and bought ticket
for Dover and one for Lowell. During
all this time / had no plan where
would go or what l would do. The i'm
pulse to take the money had led me t.
take the first wrong step. and | was
determined to go away, if possible.
Il went first to Lowell, and, arriving
there, l went at once to bicycle store
and purchased safety, paying 500 fof
it. | also bought bicycle SUIT, fol
which | paid SIS. l bought the wheel
from Rutland & Smith, and took re-
ceipt from them giving my name as
Alfred Wright.
From Lowell / went to Hampton, N
H., stopping at Exeter en- route.
passed Wednesday night at the Whit
tier house, Hampton, and started
Thursday morning by the Boston d
Maine railroad for Portland, where l
but a short stay.
Il carried my bicycle by train 10
Portland, and again resumed it in that
city, riding to Yarmouth, Me. In that
town / left my wheel at the Grand
Trunk station and went over TO Lew
iston, in which city | arrived about
o'clock, Thursday afternoon, ! should
think / walked about the city for
some time. and finally crossed the
bridge.
Il went to Auburn, where | stoppeI
at a hotel over night. Friday morning
l started over by the Maine Centrai
railroad to Pennington, which town J
reached Friday noon, but made no stay
there whatever / changed cars Ioi'
the Sandy River narrow gauge rail-
road and Phillips and Rangeley village.
/ registered at Rangeley at the Range
ley Lake house as Alfred Wright o.
Saco''
Il ate no supper, but spent the evehih5
writing letters | wrote to the chuiils
had mentioned, and enclosed $50 TO eaci,
one of them. ! did this because / ilkeu
them. | told them | had gotten away
with the money, and was going TO Mont
real. where | expected | would be capt
ured, although I hoped ! would escape.
Saturday morning, at hahse!es,
bought a newspaper and found IL cor
tanned my picture, and | knew | would DC
captured If stayed there. also notice.
that the people at the hotel We're exam
ming my name on the register ,
Il feared | had already been spotted
ate no breakfast but went to the sta
ton and purchased a ticket to FARMING
ton. When buying my ticket. | notice.
two gentlemen that | had seen at the
hotel talking to the telegraph operator
and looking at me and pointing me out
felt sure they were talking about me
and probably sending a message.
On the train | found people were
pointing me out. I was not surprised tc
find an officer waiting for me at Farm
ington. l am sorry ! took tine money
but suppose l must now suffer the pen
atty for the crime
II King had known anything about the
topography of the country about Range
ley lake. and If Vie had consulted map
he would have learned that he was in tht
very last settlement ON this side OF tnt
Canadian line. He was on the borders o.
the great forest. including Kennecags
town. Seven Pound town and othel
towns.
He might have hired o guide for ~
who would have landed him on the Cana
dian borders within "a hours from tn
time he reached Rangeley village. Th'
dinerence is just AZ miles to Canada b,
blackboard route-10 miles to Kennecago
nve miles by steamer TO the foot of Ken
necago seven miles by rowboat. fivl
miles by trail to Ed Grants fishing CAM
on the territory of the Megantic FISHING
ana Tame Club. Fifteen miles NOR
would have landed him on British terri
tory at 10 O'Clock Saturday morning.
When King went away from the Range
ley Lake house. Saturday. he left hi
necktie and vest. The vest was not foun'
n ha hnf l~..A 49, A.. --1r{