Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-26
AN OFT OFFENDER.
Josiah Allen corral|ed. ION Single
Sale Charges, Bound Over.
The Fleet.Footsd Pocket Seller Gives the o..
fcers Z Hunt.

Josiah Allen, certainly for one Of his
years. Is one of the best known viola
tors of the liquor law in the State-in
this section, anyway. On a number of
occasions he has been before the ar
thorities and for his persistent selling
has passed much time in Jail during
the last few years. He completed a
years sentence, last spring, and ever
since has been giving the officers of
Chelsea and Augusta much annoyance
on account of his selling stuff, es-
pecially to the old soldiers,
But at last he is caught, and on four
charges of single sales was committed
to jail by Trial Justice e. c. Stevens of
Chelsea, to await the action of the
grand jury in September; and before
Judge Andrews on a search and seizure
and one single sale, was given the same
sentence.
The capture of Allen has removed a
thorn of annoyance from the Chelsea and
Augusta officers perhaps the former,
more particularly. as Allen did the
most of his business in the woods there
Deputy Sheriffs Ames and Rollins for
the past two weeks have spent most
of their time on the hunt for Allen. On
a number of occasions one or the other
would spot the man and go for him.
But, when it came to running, neither
one of them could keep with him 70,
long. For Allen is terrible sprinter
and seems to be as good on long dis
tance runs as well as for short time.
AS Allen had done considerable sell
ing in Augusta, it was a matter per
tinent to this city, and, after much
planning, Marshal Morse, together
with Deputy Marshal Grover and Spec
ial Officer Jack Mcdonald combined
forces with the deputy sheriffs Of
landed the man who has made so
much trouble.
seemed to have no home. But in lit
tie one and a half story house out in
the south east part of Augusta north
Of the Rockland stage road. he was
found to make his head quarters. And
it was learned that he never used to go
home before midnight. 1t was then.
to make a sure thing Of it, that the five
officers of the law secretly repaired T.
the Frenchman's house, early Saturday
that way.
Marshal Morse and Deputy Sheriff
Rollins knocked at the door. when the
others surrounded the house. They
feared Allen would jump from a Win
dow. The Frenchman and his wife,
aroused from their sleep, vowed no one
was there but them. The officers went
| /. Whats %aip stairs?' they asked.
.Nothine much was the reply. There
was no means of reaching the place
visible, but on inquiry, the Frenchman
admitted to there being rope ladder.
Mr.. Rollins went up, dark lantern i'll
hand. This, as luck would have It.
went out. 1t was perfectly dark there.
| In one corner he heard a soft creak OF
a released board. He went that way,
to hear soft footstep. Then he en-
| countered chimney. On passing
around it, he heard his man moving
about, hide and seek style. 1t
probably was no great sport for Roll
Inns, as Allen is a wiry specimen, and
a sudden jump in the dark might have
taken the able deputy unawares.
But, at last, he got hold of .llo
dodger. There was no chance for run
ming, and there was nothing left foi
Allen to do but to come along.