The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1901-01-24
JOHN McLAIN CAPTURED.
lie Comes to SkOwhegan, Shcr-
If Penneii Takes Him in aud
Takes Measures to Identify
HIM.
Portland Officers Notified and Come and
Get Him.

Portland Officers Notified and Come and
Get Him.
A man who had the appearance of
being tramp, called at the house Of
Sheriff PenDell Monday evening. and
asked for lodging, saying he WA cold
and hungry. The sheriff was not in
just at that time but he was given
shelter until Mr.. Pennel came when he
put him in the Jail.
Tuesday morning, Sheriff PennelI was
struck with the resemblance of the man
to the description of John McLain, the
man wanted as the supposed murderer
OF Clifford Moshier at Gorham, the 11lh
instant. He said his name was John
McLain, that he knew Moshier, that he
had heard of the murder and that a
negro and white man were mixed up
in it, but had not heard that he was
wanted by the authorities He stated
later that if he had known that he was
suspected he should have given himself
up to officers. He answers the descrip-
ton advertised closely, in fact admits he
is the identical McLain, the only cues
ton is whether McLain committed the
murder.
Following is a statement made by Nc.
Lain to County Attorney Cover and
Sheriff Pennel:
81 am 46 years old; was born in
Moncton, n B., and have lived in Maine
for about Is years, though part of that
time has been speut in New Hampshire
Last December, with Ed Coburn of
Richardson Lake, Me, | went to Grove
ton, n. H., for pair of horses of Rich
II Hatch. Came back and worked with
Ed Coburn. " as sick in the woods and
came out after being there about three
weeks. l walked to Andover, Me.
stopped all night at Thomas hotel. At
a. m, the next day, | left for Rumford
Falls, walking tue first four miles and
riding the rest of the way with
farmer l reached Rumford Falls to
ward night. Boarded there at the Ok.
ford house. Went to work for Mr..
Dunton and worked 81 days, finish
ing Wednesday noon. | then went to
Bryant's Pond and stayed there till
saturday. aked back to Scribner's
Mills, about 2 miles from Rumford
Center, and worked for a man named
Potter about II miles from the Mills.
Got there Saturday night and stayed till
Monday.
"Came through to Dixfeld and
stopped all night at farmers between
Dixtield and Weld. Next day, [ went
to Dixfeld and Weld. Next day, I
went to Fugerson's camp and stayed
one night (Tuesday). The next day |
went to " ilton and cut wood, Thursday
and Friday, for man named Frank
Russell. The next day | went to
sleighmaker's, on the road between
Vests Mills and Madison, 8 miles
from Madison. The next day | went
to Madison and stayed there till the
next morning and came to Skowhegan.
Monday, Jan %.
"lhe last time | was in Gorham was
just before haying, sometime in the
last of June or the first of July. |
knew Clifford Mosher and worked for
him in the summer of 90, | think it
was
"W hen was at Gorham, the last part
of last June or first of July, l called at
his place. saw his mother and talked
with her. | did not see lifford. and
have not since. | was there only a few
minutes. Then | went to Portland, and
l have not been to the Moshier farm
since then. | have been at Gorham
/ only once since then. Then | went to
find work with Frank johnson, and
from there to South Windham lie
had worked several years for Johnson
in haying }
II will give you the dates of my
/ no. ko, E. l.
weeks: Dec 81 to Jan s, was at work
for Dunton. Jan o, got through with
| Dunton and crossed Bryants pond.
Pond Jan II and 10, | stayed with
Potter at his boarding house, 8 miles
from Rumford Center. Jan. IA, | left
Potter's. On bhe 18th, was at Fuger
sons camp Jan Is, was on the road
from Weld to Wilton. Jan. II and Is. |
worked for Frank Russell. On Jan. 10,
| stopped at a seigh-maker's. On the
goth of January, | stopped at Madison
Bartlett lives at Seribner's Mills.
II got to Bartlett's house about dark,
Saturday, Jan II Ate supper about q
o'clock. Young Bartlett harnessed his
horses and drove to Potter's. | went
to bed with three other men. Potter
was one of them and another man by
name of Mills.
~ hen l was at Moshiers, last sum
mer, one of his daughters and his
mother were there. | had not been
| drinking. l never spoke to them At
Potter's l was sick abed all the forenoon
and stayed indoors in the afternoon
The last time | was at Portland was last
| September | went on a Sunday excur
sion from Bryant's Pond and returned
on same excursion, and from there |
went to Berlin Mills
Sheriff Pennell informs us that McLain
did not divulge his name until he found
a man in the Jail who knew him He was
at Towards hotel Arson, Sunday, and
got his breakfast at a boarding house at
Madison, Monday morning, telling the
proprietor that he was going to work in
Indian Spring Mill and would pay for it,
Saturday, when paid off. Hon. Hiram
Moore of Madison saw the man. Mon
daY, and knew his name was McLain as
he worked for him at one time, but he
did not connect him with the man want
ed in Cumberland county and did not
report him.
1t would appear that Sheriff Pennell
is clearly entitled to the reward offered