The Portland daily press., 1900-11-19
Man Caught Wandering Inside
Ramparts at 4 a. m.
Had Been Challenged by
Sentry in Evening.
Was Examined by Capt. Bailey
and Released.

ABOUT II o clock Saturday night the
guard at Fort Preble discovered man
on the rainparts within the fort. When
the man was ordered to halt he attempt
ed to sneak on, but the guard again Or
dered him to halt at the same time bring
ing his gun up to fire. The stranger
stopped where he was and when asked
by the guard what be was doing there at
that time of night answered that he was
"just looking around" He acted In
rather q queer manner and tho guard,
thinking 1t was probably a case OF drunk
and that the man did not know where
he was, conducted him outside Of the
post to the road and started him on.
When the guard was relieved he did not
report the mattsr and nothing was known
of 1t for some time. About o'clock sun
day morning one OF the cooks In the mess
room saw some one pass the window
atathe lower end, but as 1t was just break
ing day and he could not see the person
very plainly he thought 1t was one Of the
guards and paid no more attention TO IL
at the time Shortly after on looki ng out
of the window again he saw some one
acting in a suspicious manner and evil
IDENTIFY trying to sneak up to the captains
quayters without being seen. The cook
determined to see who the man was and
hastily donning some OF his clothes and
catching up a club as he passed along,
he got to the door of the mess house just
as q man dressed In citizens clothes
sneaked by. Dropping his club the cook
male spring and caught the man
around the neck and threw him to the
ground. This cook Is powerful man,
and the intruder, realizing that 1t was
no use to struggle, submitted to be led
to the mess hall, where the cook secured
his loaded rifle and marched the man OF
to the guard house.
On being searched at the guard house
a wicked looking knife was found on the
man, but nothing else in the way Of a
weapon nor anything by which he could
be identified. He was described as stout
and well dressed, but did not look like
professional crook, although he may have
been one of a gang who had planned to
try and rob tho captains house, as Sun
day was pay day at the fort and 1t was
known that a large sum OF money was
In the garrison at the time.
When questioned the man acted con-
fused and told several conflicting stories
and 1t was deemed best to hold him I'M
til an investigation could be made. He
was identified by the guard as the same
man he had challenged on the ramparts
earlier In the evening.
Capt. Bailey was then notified OF the
arrest, but after thorough inyestiga-
ton 1t was deemed best to let the man
20 as no real charge could be brought
against him except being in the garrison
when he had no businegs there, although
the circumstances looked very suspicious.
The man was finally conducted outside
the garrison under guard and given
fair warning that 1t would be unhealthy
for him to be found in that vicinity
again.
PETITIONS FOR WAITING ROOM,
The residents of Pleasantdale and vic
unity have sent petition TO Manager
Newman OF the Portland Railroad oom-
pany, asking that q waiting room be es-
tablished In Monument Square, Portland,
for the benefit OF the Cape patrons Of
the cars. There is no waiting room or
other convenient place in which to walt
for the oars, and the petitioners say that
1t is very inconvenient to stand about
on the corners, especially in cold weather,
waiting for -srpA A like petition is also
being circulated in South Portland and
is receiving many signatures
A letter was received from Mr.. Edward
Cobb of Angel avenue, willard, the past
week. Mr.. Cobb is in camp with Mr..
Maurice Jordan near Sebois, and all are
enjoying the best of health and finding
plenty of game. There Is a party OF nine
at the camps, including Rev. @. Everett
Bean and several Portland eople. There
are three guides and all report the gun
ming fine and game plenty. Several
South Portland people are going to the
camps later in the season.
Masconomo tribe-of Red Menlof Knight
Vile will give an entertainment this
evening Refreshmsnts Will be served.
THE GUNNERS' BOARD.
The annua examination before the
ounners' hoard WAS held at Fort Prebls