The Portland daily press., 1900-06-13
CHAMPION In BOSTON.


Harold Poole Assault Case.
Boston, June 12.-The police of station
10, Back Bay. read the description of the
George Champion, mentioned In connec-
tion with the murder case OF three men
and one woman at West Newfield, Me-,
and concluded that 1t might be the same
George Champion whom they interviewed
In connection with the Harold Poole as
sault case.
In many respects the description OF
the Maine man answers to that OF the
George Champion OF Boston. This alone
would convince the police that the two
men are the same. but Capt. Evans has
stronger proof. Neighbors Of Mrs. Cham
pion say that she told them. before the
Poole assault case became known that
Champion had written to farmers In
Maine for work.
There is absolutely no evidence on
which to connect Champion with the
assault on young Poole. His reputation
and absence from the city were the only
things which caused the police to be sus-
picious OF him.
Champion, painter, helped unload the
schooner Ella F., on which Poole was
employed. 1t was there that he became
acquainted with the boy. On the day
Poole received his pay and left the yes
sci, saying he would not return, Cham
pion was standing ON the wharf. The
two walked away from the wharf togeth-
| er. So far as the police have been able
/, to learn. Champion was the last person
| seen with Poole. After leaving the
wharf, Poole was lost sight OF. Some
thing like As hours afterward, he was
found unconscious in clump OF bushes
off Audubon road, Back Bay, suffering
from fractured skull.
When Poole's identity was established
by the mate of the Ella F., Capt. Evans
had officers interview those on board
the schooner. They told Of Champion
and Poole's leaving the wharf together.
Champion was found within an hour
after his name was known.
He told the officers such straight
forward story about his movements that
he was not for a moment suspected OF
/ telling an untruth. He told where he
lived, and gave names OF persons who
could corroborate parts of his story
| That was O'Clock in the afternoon.
About O'Clock it occurred to the officers
that they would like to ask him few
other questions of detailed nature, and
they went to his house at Is Parnell
street. They saw Mrs. Champion, who
told them that her husband came home
late in the afternoon and said he was 60
ing away to look for work. He did not
4 say where he was going, simply saying
elm going to get work, and will let
you know when l get IL.
| This departure so soon after the inter
view in regard to the Poole case, excited
the suspicion of the officers, but they ad-
mitted that there was no evidence ON
(which he could be held II found. They
IN ide inquiries that night and next day
without getting any trace of Champion.
| Yesterday Mrs. Champion moved from
| the Parnell street house. Where she went
Is not known. The Back Bay police
have information which may lead to her
whereabouts being discovered, and are
now acting on 1t.
| Deputy Burrill said this morning:
1.-The officers have learned something
about Champions past which does not
reflect to his credt. While they have no
evidence that he assaulted Poole, 1t Is
probable that he would be held on sus-
picion until Poole Is in condition to talk.
Poole would either exonerate him or
positively identify him as his assailant.
The officers will search for the man with
this end in view"
Poole's condition this morning was
about the same as yesterday. Although
conscious OF all that happens at his bed
side he is speechless. 1t Is thought that
his tongue Is paralyzed.