Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-09-26
TABLES TURN,
French Still in the Tolls
at Pennington.
Arrests Man and Then He Is
Taken Into Custody.
Story of HoId-up Which Rivals Dim,
Novels.

Portland, Me-, Sept. 25.-Lcroy A
| French. who claimed to be n Unite,
states secret service agent. but who il
held in the Jail at Pennington OF
charges Of assault with attempt to xii
| and larceny, boarded with Albert S
| Young at '66 Congress street this city
| and only left the house 10 days ago
| owing five weeks board. 1t was in this
city, also that French met n. G. Har-
| low. a respected citizen of Farming
ton ana whom French is accused of as
saulting with Il revolver and of taking
a watch, a diamond ring and a check
| for $3.50.
According to Albert S. Young, French
came to his house nine weeks ago and
engaged board with the manager of
the house While he was away. French
paid his board for the first three
weeks, but after that on the plea that
ne was expecting a check he was al
lowed to stay five weeks without pay
ing. While staying at Mr.. Young's
nothing suspicious was noticed about
him.
French met Harlow at perform
ance at the Gem theater. Their seats
happened to be side by side and during
the evening the men fell into conversa-
ton. An acquaintance began which re-
suited in Harlow visiting French at
his boarding place and French re-
turning the visit to Harlow's hotel.
French later visited Harlow at his
home in Dixlield.
After the trouble, French claimed
that he was a secret service agent sent
to Maine to look after cOunterfeiterS
and that he arrested Harlow on the
charge of counterfeiting. United
States agents from Boston, who have
visited Pennington to investigate
French are said to have received an
admission from him that he is not in
the employ of the United States gov
ernment, but that he was merely fol-
lowing the directions of Marston Nick
erson, a detective, for whom he is
working.
Mr.. Harlow's story of the hodup
which rivals anything ever printed in
the dime novel line, is as follows:
One morning. French invites Harlow
to go into the woods with him to find
liiocSt Htdt WHICH fGellcH fau u1S-
covered hidden in the bushes. They
go. and after hours of vain search.
which leads them miles from human
haDitation, deep in the woods, French
points a revolver at Harlow and COM
mands him to throw up his hands,
Harlow reSSts-F'rench fires a revolt
Yer, the shot just grazing Harlow's
cheek causing a skin wound-HarIow
then decides that he is no match for
French and does his bidding. French
then relieves him of all his money and
again at the point of the revolver COM
rels him to make out 4 check to his
Irench's) order for $3.50.
French then tells Harlow that not
far from where they are standing.
man is Watching their every move,
with his revolver levelled, ready to
shoot Harlow ut the slightest sign Of
resistance. French next commands
Harlow to stay in the woods till he,
French, returns, for if he moves the
StlHnge man in the woods will stop
him with a shot from his revolver.
Completely terrOrized by French. |
Harlow spends two hours at this lonely
spot guarded by an invisible man. Then
French returns. tells Harlow he is a
prisoner, and after a drive through the /!
woods, a malt of several hours at a |
country hotel and a second drive of |
many miles. the two reach Pennington. |
where French ushers Harlow into the |
county Jail, at the point of the revolver. |
telling the jailer that he is Il dangerous |
prisoner.
French next goes to the Peoples |
Bank in Pennington and endeavorS to |
cas- h the checks for $3.50 which he COM
PEELED Harlow to make out to his order,
ana two other checks properly en-
dorsed which he took from HarlOw's
person. The bank cashier refuses to
cash the checks till French is identified.
Suddenly John B. Marble of Rangeley
appears in Pennington with warrant
for Frenchs arrest on the charge of
trover anG French is taken to The coun.
ty iail ard given over to Jailer Fowler's
rare. |