Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-03
POLICE COURT.
Hiram Reynolds, the Alleged
Burglar, Released.
Frank Thoms and John Hyde Ac-
cused Of Petty Larceny.
Hyde Found Guilty but Judge Andrews
Releases Thoms.

Judge \. G.. Andrews raped the mu-
nicipal court to order shortly before 9
O'Clock, yesterday morning, and called
for the occupants of the police station.
The first to be brought iii was John
Hyde. better known as jack and
Frank Thoms, alias Bailey" They
remained in the court room but short
time, a little testimony in their case be-
ing put in, after which they were again
locked up to await the arrival OF
another witness at one o'clock.
Hiram Reynolds was then brought in.
Reynolds was the man arrested by Off
Ger Fletcher, near Bridge street cross
ing, on Thursday afternoon, on suspic-
ion of having committed 4 burglary at
the house of Eugene A. Chase, 80 Allen
street, Thursday forenoon.
Reynolds is 4 sailor. His appearance
would stamp him rs q rough, uncouth
fellow, but harmless. one would never
pick him out as Il thief. In fact q more
honest looking man has seldom APP
peared before the court. His story was
Il connected narrative, and as far as
could be seen, there were no flaws in it,
He impressed all as an innocent man.
Mrs. Eugene y. Chase and Mrs Har-
rison Written We're the witnesses
against him. Mrs. Written told the
story of the alleged burglary; how she
went to the Chase home and found the
burglar in the house, coolly inspecting
a watch. she asked for Mrs. Chase and
the reply was that she had gone out to
dig dandelion greens. They remarked
about how low the fire was getting and
finally the man said he would go out
and hunt up Mrs. Chase. He went but
did not return. Money to the amount
of about $1.35 was afterwards found to
be missing. Search for the thief was
made and at the request of Mr.. Chase
Reynolds was arrested.
Mrs. Written said that the burglar
wore a blue pair of trousers, a SLOUGH
hat and had a frock of some stripped
material under his coat. The wearing
apparel of the accused man did not
tally with this description. He wore a
derby hat and his trousers were black;
neither had he any frock beneath his
coat. Search of his clothing did not re-
veal a farthing. Instead of being load
ed down with the root of all evil
purloined from his fellow citizens he
was not the possessor of enough to buy
q herring. His pockets contained a
shaving brush, pocket mirror, a comb
a button, a jackknife, a red bandanna
handkerchief, very much the worse for
wear, and a piece of cloth which he had
evidently saved to repair his clothing
! All these facts went to convince the
court that he was an innocent man, and
| that if there was any money stolen il
was by other hands than his. But III
was asked to tell his story.
| He arose and looked the iuda,
squarely in the eye and began. II an
n sailor" he said. Il work for Twins
] have saved up little money and It j.
in a bank in Portland. If am fined
can pay. But | am innocent as true al
there is God above my head" and III
man gave a significant gesture that pu
emphasis on what he said and went t,
convince the court that he was tellin,
the truth.
A short time ago I left Portland an,
went to Belfast" he continued. ct wa
going to invest my little capital in til
fish business. found no good opp0r
tunity and gave up the project. | thel
Went to Rockland with the intention o
going to sea again. } finally found n
opportunity and went on board. TIL
vessel was expected to load with lum
Der at Bangor but the skipper got wor
to the contrary and could not pay m
for my time while he was waiting 70
a new contract. ] looked around an
rs nothing else presented itself I start
ed into the country, hoping to get
job on a farm. But did not find any