Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-01-04

4 most remarkable career has been
Hammond's. He is said to have been
a Catholic. Presbyterian, Dunkard,
Methodist and Free Will Baptist. He
has been, it is claimed, preacher. doc
tor, lawyer confidence man, bigamist.
perjuror, and had number of other
occupations in which he engaged with
more or less persistence. and usually
with signal success.
Those who have kept account claim
that he has had at least nine wives.
He had appeared to lack the ability.
with all his smoothness, to placate the
relatives of his wives. as the brother Of
one of them that died. writes q letter
from New Zealand, in which he speaks
in the most uncompromising and un-
pleasant fashion of the reverend gen.
lehman.
When Chief Watts first heard from Mr..
Mclean he sent him copy of the pic
ture of Hammond which is in the
rpgues' gallery at Boston police head
quarters. After carefully examining
hephotographs. Mr.. Mclean was
thoroughly convinced that the two
ssfammonds were identical. and has
written to Chief Watts the following
letter: Il identify the man whose pie
ture you sent me. He wears his beard
trimmed differentlyA md wears different
clothes. but he is the same man. jAE
we have sufficient evidence. you need
not send his record if you have to copy
it. We have his account as published
in the Police News.
Hammond is now INK Havana. His
n & no a n Is x 30
home is at 90 Yudostria. He is in the
Christian work. He united with one of
our churches. last June. He. claims
now to be one of us. He is using his
religion to screen his conduct.
We would be glad to get him out of
Havana. We have asked him to go,
but he defies US. He quotes Scripture
and tells that he is in his Masters
work. and he wants - us to keep our
hands off. If you could suggest some
plan by which we could get him away
from Havana We would be extreme
" thankful.
He is now on familiar terms with
Admiral Sampson sand all the Ameri-
can people in Havana. He has large
number of Cubans under his inflence.s
Some of them have money. He has
an old lady of means under his thumb,
He works among the poor; he treats
their diseases without pay and has a
deal of influence. ! was with him sew
eral days and know whereof affirm.
He win not be an easy man to handle.
Already he claims that he is being
prosecuted by the pretended friends of
Jesus"
1t seems that Hammond has served
as pastor of churches in Allentown.
Penn, Wolf Lake and Ligovier. Ind,
South Pultney, N. T., Bradford In this
State. and Franklin Falls, N. H.
He made himself liable to the law in
Franklin Falls by the manner in which
he married a woman living there.
Shortly after he was arrested In Bos-
ton charged with larceny from his wife.
He had been back in Franklin Falls
but short time when he managed TOT
get across the Canadian line. and not
long after was arrested in Montreal
charged with perjury.
All sorts of stories have followed his
departure from the various places
which he has honored with his pres
ence. the most enthusiastic being at
Wolf Lake. Ind where cannon was
fired and other evidence of joy We're
shown.
At least Two of his wives have died
hinder circumstances which haze Deem
regarded as supicious. and ne was ;
CONTINUED on page 81