Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-08
WARDENS ACCUSED.
Alleged DIGGING Of Deer Near
vanceboro, Investigated.
Hearing Before Game Commissioners Tuesday
ITO Decision Given.

The commissioners of inland fish
and game listened to the evidence
against two Of their game wardens and
two of their registered guides, Tuesday
afternoon and evening" and also to
what the accused men had to say for
themselves in regard to the complaints
that had been brought against them.
The wardens are William Osgood of
Vanceboro, and George Ross of Ma
chias, while the guides are w. r. NV
shall and John Dixon of Vanceboro.
The hearing occupied the time until
nearly O'Clock in the evening, having
been entered upon at 40 p. M, AT the
close the commissioners held an execu-
tive session and gave out nothing.
Tuesday night, Of their decision, which
it is possible may be a sealed one to the
lGovernor and Council
At the start Chairman Carleton
stated that he had received complaints
by letter and telephone from Vanceboro
from certain persons that Game War
den Ross, who is in command over the
enforcement of the law in Washington
county. was remiss in his duty, mas
much as he permitted the logging of
deer at sporting camp owned by him.
self. or his wife. on the shore of Sped
ME lake. To investigate these COM
plants he sent Game Warden Neal,
and the result was sufficient evidence
| to prove that the matter should be in
vestigated to remove the warden in
case he was guilty, or to exonerate him
in case he was innocent
The four men accused of irregular
ways of doing business, as well as Hib-
hprt Conrad In-h -
borO. W. l.. Hodgkins of Lambert Lake
| and Game Warden F. NJ Perkins of
Bradley. were present before the COM
missioners.
Game Warden Neal covered the ground
of the evidence that is against the men.
Mr.. Neal said he was directed, one week
ago, to investigate and with Game
Warden Perkins started out They first
went to Lambert lake and then crossed.
Tuesday, to Spednic. They heard hounds
following deer that day but saw none
Following down the lake, they came to
the camp that had been kept by Mr. Os-
good. though 1t was closed. They found |
dog tracks on the sandy beach in front
and entering found a mat on which a dog
had evidently slept. They also discovered |
n fish net in the shed. Outside they found |
fish buried in the sand.
They went down and boarded a steamer |
that was being ploted by HILBERT Conrad |
who told of what he knew of the case |
Mr.. Conrad told Mr.. Neal that another
of the Conrad boys had only a few days |
before seen a deer come to the water ex-
hausted. being chased by dog. This |
Conrad cut the deer's throat and hauled |
the carcass into the bushes. Very soon |
"A canoe with man in it came up and !,
took the dog in. The sun was against /
young Conrads face and he could not |
make out the man, who had his hat |
pulled over his eyes. However, it was |
noted that he looked like Mr.. Osgood |
wearing black sweater and a black |
SLOUGH hat. Later in the day HILBERT |
Conrad met three canoes, in one of which |
was Mr.. Osgood. wearing black SLOUGH |
hat and a black sweater. He was with |
the other two canoes and as they passed |
DIR. Martin shouted: What luck?" Os-
good held up the legs of a deer from his |
canoe. At the same time in another canoe,
the men in the steamer saw a dog rise |
up and be struck down by the man
padding
Going down to Vanceboro. Mr.. Neal
found that the talk was that Osgood and
his two guides Were logging deer. He
found a case was being talked against
Warden Ross concerning a dog. The
story was told that Warden Ross went to
Topsfield and seized dog which he
claimed was deer dog. Instead of kill
ing the dog as a warden is supposed to
do it is claimed he sent him to Candle
boro, NJ B.. and that the animal was
brought back for logging deer on Spednlc
lake.
The man was found. who admitted he
sent the dog to Candeboro, but would not
admit in so many words that he had been
given him by Warden Ross. A boy was
also found who swore he shot the dog.
This boy, by the way, testified after
Warden Neal in the hearing, Tuesday,
that he lied and he did not shoot the dog.
All the testimony against the two
wardens and the guides was practiclly
the same as Warden Neal rehearsed the
case.
Warden Osgood positively denied hav-
ing any dogs this year. and that he had
logged deer, telling very good story.
Warden Ross admitted having allowed
the dog to be shipped to Canada over 80
miles from the American line, but he said
the animal never returned nor was there
any such intention on the part of the
men to whom the dog was given. Both
men are men of good repute and Warden
Ross is one of the head wardens of Wash
ington county, and it would be hard to
make the commissioner believe him re-
miss in his duties, as he is considered a
good and fearless officer, being an intellt-
gent man of good physique.
The guides also denied having logged
deer on American soil. this year, or hav
ing dogs. They did not deny having used
dogs in Canada last season.
The result of the hearing will be anx-
iously awaited by those interested.