Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-09-13

frock of blue drill Also stated that
he had an overcoat, which he had left
at his sisters at Portland or West
brook.
AS the old gentleman sat upon the
floor of the piazza, Saturday, the day
being very warm, / sat outside and for
n time listened to~his ramblings. Not
being interested in his stories, | paid
little attention to what he was saying
and if later circumstances had not re-
called the name would not have re-
called them.
As it was he showed me four old
leather pocketbooks, giving a detailed
history with each one, and a paper
which he called a receipt for wages
due to him from some man he had
worked for. the previous week. He
passed it towards me to read, but /
did not take it. but he told me the
mans name and his residence, at the
same time making the remark that
the writer of his receipt" had made
an error in spelling his name, Isaac,
that he was an old friend of his and he
could collect the amount due, which
was IS. whenever he needed the money.
He spoke of Windham and Paris;
can't recollect what place he said that
he worked at. He showed me a small
note book: think it was from some
manufacturing establishment advertis-
ing it's wares, containing blank leaves
between. He said that in this book he
recorded all his doings and account OF
his travels.
I write these small things in hopes
that the mention of these articles
which We're in his possession may now
be found upon his person and assist
or be the means of identifying him
that he may prove an alibi.
/ questioned the man as to his name
and residence. which he gave as fol-
lows:
Name. Isaac Douglass, a native Of
Bowdoinham. Me-; age, 50 years. He
said he had no home, but was anxious
to save money enough to pay his buriai
expenses after his death, so as not to
oblige the town of Bowdoinham to
bury him, and from other things he
said | drew conclusions that he was
the "ne'er-d o-well' of the family and
that his presence in the families of his
relatives was not desirable.
/ asked him if he had any family; he
told me that he was never married.
but he had a sister living at West
brook who was married and her hus
band owned team and that he worked
in machine shop or foundry in Port
land He had another sister who lived
at or near Boston, who came to Main
quite often. but he had not seen i!e'
since she was at their mothers funeral
some 80 years ago, but he had met one
Of this sisters children, d daughter, q
the home of the sister in WestbroCl
some few days before.
He had niece living at Bath who's
husband was by trade a barber. H.
had called there within a short TIM.
but could gain no admittance, as there
was d small dog inside of the house
which barked loudly and he overheard
a voice within quoting the dog.
| asked him if he was acquainted
with Thomas and James Reed OF Bow
doinham. formerly of Wayne, and he
gave an accurate account OF both fam
lilies.
AS near as | can recall it, he told
me that when he was a small child his
father lived on a farm. which they
afterwards sold. and while still small
boy moved with his parents to Bow
Ioinham, where his father was en-
aioyed ror some length OF time as rail
road station acent; that both fathel
and mother died and We're buried a
BoWdoinham. After his fathers death
he lived there with his mother. Ee
had much trouble with his head. and
when young had sores in the head
which would break and discharge
through the ears, and his health was
greatly impaired, so much so that he
was incapacitated from earning his
own livelihood.
My opinion of Mr.. Douglass is that
he is a man of feeble intellect. At
times he appears imbecle and ire
sponsible; then again he is alert ana
keen, quite alive to the situation.
Take him as Il whole, my estimation
of him is that he is an inoffensive,
feeble minded old man. and one who
should he cared for. if not by rela-
tives, then by either town or State,
as Il man of his age and condition is
incapable of caring for himself and
should become a charge Of those au-
thorizcd to look after such rs he, as
it is no fault Of his that he is one
of those unfortunates with weakened
and lettering intellect.
This man stopped with T. p. Seery,
whose post office address is Fayette
Mills, on the night of Thursday, Aug.
IA. The day following he carried wood
into the shed throughout the whole
day. remaining there that night, Sat
urday. Aug. 16, he came here. Sat
urday and Sunday he was here. My
husband was away from home each
day, returning in the evening and go
ing away again in the morning. ! en-
tertained not the least fear OF the old
man. / gave him his meals at reg
ular hours. He ate them in the house.
The remainder of his time during the
two days he spent out of doors. The
weather was warm and dry and he
was an inveterate smoker, and for that
reason I told him he must not smoke
inside.
Monday morning, before leaving
home my husband procured tools and
told Mr.. Douglass he might cut bushes
in the pasture. After my husband had
gone Mr.. Douglass said that he did
not want to work in his coat. that he
wanted a frock to wear. and wanted
to know il he could take the team and
go to the village to procure one. |
told him that the horse was spirited
ctr anIIIi hnv