Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-01-24
NOT IDENTIFIED.
Negro Hands Fails to Recog-
nize John McLain.
General Belief that McLain Is Not
the Man Wanted.
Thought that He Can Undoubtedly Establish
an Abb.

says:
John McLain arrived in Portland
from Skowhegan. this noon, under cs-
cort of Deputy Marshal Firth and Dep
uty Sheriff Dunn. In anticipation of
the curious mob which would surely
await the party at the Union station
the sheriffs took their prisoner from
the train at Woodfords and came to
the junction of Preble and Cumberland
streets by electric, then walked to the
station which they entered by the Myr-
tie street entrance.
McLain chatted freely on the inward
trip to the station. He repeated in
substance his story told Sheriff Pen
nell, as he did to the officers on the trip
down, this morning. They did not cross
question him but allowed him to make
such statements as he chose.
Il don't know anything about the
murder and never heard Of it until |
got to Skowhegan jail he protested to
the reporter.
Didn't you know you We're suspected
of having a hand in it," asked the re-
porter.
No, l hadn't been near any village
OF any size for week and didn't see a
paper during that time"
How about your alibi? Can you
bring good evidence to sustain it?''
"Oh. yes" he confidently replied, Il
can get witnesses enough
Regarding his Whereabouts on the
week of the murder. especially on Sat
urday, Jan. Il, McLain was very posi-
tive. He stuck to his statement that
he was at Bryants Pond on Thursday
and Friday and said he returned to
|Scribner's Mills on Saturday because he
heard there was work there driving a
team for a man named Potter. He said
he hired out with Potter and was taken
that night to a boarding house where
Potter stayed by young man named
Bar tlett. He was sick there, he said,
ana stayed until Monday when he gave
up the idea of working for Potter and
moved on to Dixfield. When he stopped
at Skowhegan he had no particular OBJ
jet in view but half intended to go
farther into the woods as he had been
accustomed to for several winters past
How long since you have been in
Gorham?" asked the reporter.
Not since last September and not in
Portland before since last summer, July,
think"
Did Mosher owe you money!
Not a cent"
do you know anyone named Hands,
Il never knew anyone by that name
What is your height?
About feet and /! inches.
And your weight"
From 17j to 49,. | weigh more in win
ter. Just now I'm rot in good shape on
account of a cold that has settled on my
lungs"
McLain sized up physically very nearly
as he said. He stnopS to marked Do
gree. giving Il casual observer Il false lffl T.
preston of his stature. He was dressed
at the time of his arrest in a brown coat
blue vest and trousers. blue cap ana biue
wooden shirt with lumberman's rubhe"s.
No evidences of any recent injuries, such
as it seems the murderer must nave re
ceived in his deadly struggle with Mosher
were viSabe
INST as the electric left WoodfordS sta
ton OFFICER Brown brought in Daniel
Reed who resides near the station ana
reported to the police on Sunday, the l5th
description Of the white man sought for
passing the station about o'clock in the
morning.
morning." asked the officer.
..He looks Just Ike him" Reed rejoined
who is he? Where does he live? in
auired McLain. indiferently, seemingly
not a whit troubled by the incident:
When the officers reached the station
large and constantly growing crowd had
already arrived, and pushed toward w
prisoner. He was quickly hustled INTO
Marshal Sylvestcr's private office with
The marshals. Sheriff pearson ana County
Attorney WhitehouSe. and the door cloSed
for the interview with the negro, iahds.
While in the marsnalS office Mci-diii
was thoroughly searched and no trace oil
M discovered. Neither lSt'i
ne any money or other property in ms
possession. -
tcnt at that time but was placed IN a CAP
and taken to the county Jail for fandS 10
identify him, if possible VITA OllIcci?'
Faggett and Fowler attired IN citizgm9
clothes and TWO other men, Nolan Wd9
lined up in the Jail office and the negro
who had heard nothing of the arrest
brought in from his cell o,, -.
DO You know any OF thcSc HiNi-
uucried the sheriff.
Carefully Hands looked al the knot 81
men and shook his head. Then they rcI
moved their hats and ne walked aIoui'-
them for further inspection.
mo. | don't know any Of these men,
he inally remarked, and the test M n,'
brought to an end. Hands was taken
back 10 his cell ana McLain given At
other far removed. ,, hean
very active III tracing down clues 70 NJ
Lai h during the past week. was n,
bY an Express reporter, TINS aitc W.,
if in his opinion McLain, was me men rnl
wanted Tor The murder. ~ present If
piled the marshal. lit looks 70 me ~
Ma hin is innocent and we have been Ioi-
Loving the wrong lead for the criml1nhh, a.:
Al Of the points and people mentior,ea aIi hi
him in his attempt to establish an aIi an
ar. hcfng investigated. today. Tor con
lfrmation and we shall know by tohi5n ~
whether he is to be held or release 20, la
ports thus far received are in ms In 80
lie viii he held. though until his lnno-
ccacc is clearly established.
IN MclAINS FAVOR.