Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-10-08
2'ailr Rennebec 3ournal,
JAMES FREEMAN SENTENCED.
Gel Three Years in State p,ison Tor sreakin,
and Entering.

SRowhesan, Me-, Oct. 7.-(SpeciaD.-
James Freeman, one of the nos+ ao
serous criminals ever in custody in
Maine was arraigned before the SOM
sTsat supreme judicial co,rt q,
Wednesday. for burglarizing the house
OF Charles F. Jones of Skowheran. in
August. 1885. Freeman is recopnized
IN Boston and New York. as a rep,,lar
crooA ana mas served several sentences.
ne was brought here from Thomaston.
Mhsie ne mad been serving a United
states sentence, last spring. and since
'aaat TIME has caused Sheriff yiles no
little inconvenience.
At one time Sheriff yiles cansad
freeman to be searched and on his ner-
son were found several jack knife
saws ana two dirk knives, which he
uau reaay Tor instant use, besides files
ana Wire. Two keys made from strips
OF Tin plates fastened together with
wire were secured and a third was dis
covered broken off in the lock.
IN the latter part of June, Freeman
attempted to escape and would hay.
been successful but for the timely as
slstance of Blaine, the son of Sheriff
Nlles- Since then Freeman has been
IN close confinement and has MANY
times threatened that he would take
ms life rather than return to Thomas
ton to serve another sentence.
freeman accompanied by two depu.
Ties entered the court room short.
~ after 230 Wednesday after
noon. The jury was empaneleo
and c. o. Small. county attorney, coun-
sci for the State, opened the case. E
N. Merrill, Esq, appeared for the res
pandent.
Mr.. Small called Charles +. Jones
>. II. Mitchell, state detective and Dep
uty Sheriff Harding as witnesses.
Mr.. Jones took the stand and testi-
fed that when he and his family re-
turned from two weeks visit in New
York that he found seal cape and
huff, silk and other dresses, lace
spreads and shams, gold chain an
cuff buttons ear jewels, gold pins and
brooches, draperies. underwear an6
other articles to the value of Sal.
missing and also large pile of goods
apparently ready for transportation il
the front hall. He also testified to
finding a large part of these goods il
house in Lewiston, while in the com
pany of Detective Odlin of Lewiston
and also in barn at Fairfield in which
Freeman directed them.
Detective Mitchell testified to finding
the goods, as Mr.. Jones had already done
Deputy Harding was called and testi-
fed that he had had some conversation
with Freeman.
Because of the absence of Detective Cd
lin, court was adjourned until O'Clock
Thursday morning, and Freeman was re-
turned to his cell.
Court was hgain called to order Thurs.
day morning at $50 State Detective Cd.
lin was examined and testified to finding
goods belonging to Mr.. Jones and also
letters from Freeman to his wife in &
house in Lewiston supposed to be that OF
the respondent. Mr.. Cdlin testified thai
he brought Freeman from Boston tt
Skowhegan. but knew of no agreement Il
help Freeman in exchange for informa
ton concerning the goods of Mr.. Jones.
Freeman was examined and denied
practically all thetestimony given yen agains
| testimony was added.
Fl. p. Thynge of the police force testi
| fed that Freeman gave him an accoun1
| of the whole affair.
| Court was adjourned until o'clock p
NJ. Mr.. Merrill made lengthy plea fol
| the respondent. and Lawyer Small ably
| summed up the arguments for the State
Judge WhItehOuSe mace a Clear ana eA
plicit charge TO the jury. which on beins
| dismissed was absent l hour and % min
utes before returning a verdict of guilty
| of larceny and in the night time.
| Freeman was brought into court. abou
| 40 yesterday afternoon. Before he wa:
| sentenced, having been found guilty o.
| the charges, he was asked if he had any
| thing to say. He gave an interesting ac
| count of his life. it sounding more like {
| tale of fiction than anything else. HI
| WAS given three years in the State prison
on the charge of breaking and entering