Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-16
LOCAL MATTERS.
HIS MONEY GONE.
Michael Burns Says He Is Shy
Several Hundreds.
Found Unconscious, With Nearly
Empty Pockets, Saturday Night.
Three Men Arrested, Charged With
Having Robbed Him.

Michael Burns, proprietor of the
Riverside hotel at the east end of the
Kennebec bridge, was found IN
stupor and almost unconscious condl-
ton, by the police, soon after O'Clock,
Saturday evening behind shed at the
rear of the London house, sO-called, on
upper Water street. He was taken to
his home, and up to late hour sun
day had not regained the use OF his
mental faculties sufficiently to give
very clear idea of what had happened
to him.
The first knowledge that the police
had OF any trouble was when two
young French boys came down town
and told officers White and Fletcher
that they had seen three or four men
carry another man out of the London
house, up behind shed and leave him
there.
The officers at once hurried to the
scene. and directed by the boys found
Mr.. Eur's behind an old shed, in sort
of gravel pit. lying face down, with his
nat and coat off, and in the condition
above stated. A cab was at once sum-
moned, and the officers, with Special
officer Frank Halpin, who had accom-
panied them. took Mr.. Burns to MS
home 1t was he opinion of the ofii-
GERS at the time that the man had been
dr,Iggcd with knockout Drops or
something of the kind.
DIR. q. X. Campbell was surrounded,
and an examination made but no
bruises or broken bones were found,
nor could the physician detect any
odor of a drug about the man. To all
appearances his condition was due to
alcoholism. Later i'm the night, AS Mr..
Burns WAS very restless, the physician
vas called a So cond time and admins
tered opiates. Mr.. Burns complained
great deal of Il pain in the back of his
head. and his right elbow, and on an
examination of the latter found it to be
bruised and inflamed.
Mr.. Halpin remained with Mr.. Burns,
all night. and during his lucid periods
Burns impaired to Mr.. Halpin what
may be possible solution of the af-
fair. In answer to questions by a
Journal repor ter, Mr.. Halpin said that
Mr.. Burns reused from his lethargy at
about o'clock Sunday morning, and
that the two talked together quite a
long time.
Burns said that he went into the
London house upon the invitation of the
proprietor. Jeremiah Dionne, and that
he had some liquor and some oysters in
the dining room. After that they went
upstairs into Joseph Wedges room,
where they had more oysters and
drink. and that he got drunk. AT
about this time. Burns claimed, some
one hit him across the back of the head
with Il sand bag or something like one,
and knocked him to the floor, partially
stunning him.
Then, Burns alleged, Dionne reached
into his (BurnsD inside vest pocket,
and took therefrom his pocket book,
which. Mr.. Burns claims. contained
5000, and went into another room with
1t. While Dionne was gone Wedge
jumped astride of Burns. saying: Il
may as we'll have some of this while it
is going" and took a roll containing
s167 from mis- vest pocket.
Burns then rallied and got upon his
knees, taking oft his coat, whereupon,
he alleged. Dionne. Wedge, and another
man. jumped on him. One man, whom
Burns spoke of as "a big Frenchman,"
kicked ut his head, but Burns put up
his elbow and caught the blow. The
man then kicked him in the abdomen.
The three. he said then took him down
stairs and out behind the house. where
he was found. His pocketbook was found
with him. but it only contained $3.11,
and pension check for SIS. His
watch was also on him.
That Mr. Burns had a large sum of
money with him. Saturday afternoon.
is known positively by Mrs. Burns, his
wife. and that he had carried it for
several days during the week is known
by other parties. Saturday afternoon
he came across the bridge at Las, and