Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-12
MASON DISCHARGED
And Negro Perry Held for Miss
Morton's Murder.
No Evidence That Mason Is Connected
With the Deed.
Holds Informal Receptioe and Friends
Arc Much Pleased.

charge of Alan Il. Mason, the Boston
clubman, accused of the murder Of
Clara A. Morton at Waverley, weel
ago last Saturday night. was ordered
by Judge Chas Almy Of the Third Dis
trict court of eastern Middlesex. Tues.
day The government lawyers an.
nounced to the court that an investiga.
ton had failed to disclose evidence suf-
ficient to hold the accused man and the
court at once announced the failure to
find probable cause and ordered the
discharge of Mason. & a..
Almost Immediately. In the same
court. Geo. I. o. Perry. young negro,
who, Monday. was held as witness
against Mason was charged with the
murder of Miss Morton. He pleaded
not guilty and was remanded without
bail for hearing Nov. is.
After his release, Mason held an in
formal reception in the captains Office
and after short time was driven to
his hOrne in Boston.
A crowd which packed the district
court room and which overlooked into
the corridors and down the stairways
of the building blocked the passage of
Mason and the deputies who accom-
panied him in making his way into the
court house. According to the plan an
nounced before hand Mason was to ap-
pear at 9 O'Clock but the people began
to flock to the court house long before
that time.
1t was 315 when the man accused of
the murder of Clara A. Morton in
Waverley, a week ago last Saturday
night, reached the court house. He was
by two deputies and as
the corridors of the building were filled
with people, he was taken into the cap
tain's office to wait until way could
be made for him to reach the court
room. Some time after Mason had
reached the place Perry was brought
in. having come i'm a hack from the
house OF correction. "A large number Of
witnesses for both sides were also on
hand before the opening of court and
from this 1t was believed that the hear
ing might not be continued as it was
thought Monday it might be.
Mason spent the time in the captains
office cUnversing with his brother. his
r. D. Ware. and one or two
other friends. Just before 10 o'clock q
way was made so that Mason and
Perry could reach the guard room and
they were conducted through the pris-
oners' ward into court.
Judge Charles Amy of the Tird Dis
trict court of eastern Middlesex. was on
the bench. District Attorney George "A.
represented the government.
and r. d. Ware was present for the ac-
cused. Alan G. Mason. The state po-
lice officers who have been gathering
evidence in the case also were at hand.
Immediately after the case was
called Dist Atty Sanderson arose and
the court said that care
full investigation of the charges
against Alan G.. Mason had been made
and that really not enough evidence
had been accumulated to warrant
holding the man for the grand jury.
For that reason he moved that the
be discharged.
Mr.. Ware concurred in this motion
and Judge Amy announced his ruling.
II was that having found no probable
cause the court ordered the discharge
Of Alan G. Mason.
The announcement was greeted with
applause by the spectators. Lawyer
Ware at once shook hands with Mason
and together they left the court room.
Mason was escorted to the captain
office where an informal reception was
held, many friends gathering to con-
graduate the man on the outcome OF
the case.
Mason displayed great joy at his re-
lease and shook hands cordially with
all present He would say nothing
however. about the affair. His bro
Their. Harry Mason. said to an Asso-
ciated Press reporter:
I'VE had great confidence that the
case would come out this way. We
had evidence all along to prove the in
nocence of Alan, but we had not said
a great deal about 1t.
After a short time Mason left fol
his home with his brother and Mr.
Ware in a carriage.
Almost Immediately after the Ma
son case had been closed. charge
was filed against George L. o. Perry
the negro, for the murder of Clara A
Morton.
Perry pleaded not guilty, and was
held without bail for a hearing, Nov
IS. The colored man did not seem t.
mind the change in the situation. HI
received the charge with his custom.
airy quiet and displayed no emotion
whatever.