Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-04-21
JOHNsON'S CASE.
Found Guilty Of Larceny at Lewiston
and Sentenced.

son. alias A. d. Cunins. alias ID. &.
Proctor. who was arrested, Monday. at
Rumford Junction. on charge of lar
ceny of an overcoat from Guy S. Dow,
head bell hopper" at the Dewitt hotel,
was arraigned in the Lewiston munich
pal court, Tuesday afternoon, at
o'clock. He pleaded not guilty.
1t is alleged that johnson passed
forged check on Proprietor George W.
Roynton of Hotel North. Augusta.
Hon. d. ]. McGllicuddy appeared for
the respondent and City Solicitor Nc
Carly conducted the prosecution for the
State. Mr.. McCarty in stating the case.
said that Johnson, alias Cunins. alias
Proctor, has stopped at the Dewitt ut
one or two different times during the
winter and spring. That his last visit
here was about one week ago last Sun
day morning. and boarded the Electrics
for Portland and that at this time he
took with him a coat owned by Guy s.
Dow. That the coat was taken without
IN. knowledge or consent of Mr.. Dow,
and that the coat was not returned I'M
til after the respondents arrest, Mon
day.
vi y
Saturday night prior to the day the re-
spOndcnt left for Portland, he Dor
rowed DOw's coat. a light rain coat,
for a short time. He returned the coat
with thanks and at that time inquired
of Dow if he could have the coat the
following day. Dow told him that he.
Dow, had planned to go riding at l
O'Clock, Sunday afternoon, and would
noon, and after the respondent had left
the hotel, Dow missed his coat. He
didn't pretend to know who had it, but
rather suspected the respondent. From
Sunday. April. 10. until Monday, April
1S, when the respondent was arrested.
Dow was without his coat and had no
knowledge where it was.
Guy S. Dow, head bellman at the De-
Witt, was the first witness to take the
stand for the State. Ne told he story
substantially as outlined in the foreso-
ing. He denied that the respondent
took the coat with his Knowledge and
consent, and further stated that the re-
spendent took the coat after knowing
that he, Dow, wanted to use it himself,
Sunday afternoon.
Officer Maxine BcatliaI. who arrest
Ell the respondent at I,urnf1rd Junction.
Monday. was called to the stand. He
stated facts concerning the arrest. Said
that he and Proprietor Pattee of the
Dewitt hotel were on the train, when
they saw the respondent. Mr.. Pattce
said: There is the man, arrest him. y
Witness said that the respondent was
going from Rumford Junction to Port
land, according to the story he tod
when arrested, and that then he was
going to return to Lewiston, give Dow
his coat and settle his hotel bill. This;
story was not credited by the officer
and Mr.. Pattee, and the respondent was
arrested and taken to Lewiston and
locked up. This was all that Officer
Beaulieu had to say about the case.
The state rested here.
Mr. McGillicuddy, in outlining the
defence, said that it was not denied
that the respondent took the coat: that
all parties concerned admitted that fact.
but that he should contend that Dow
loaned the respondent the coat. and
that he had no thought or intention of
committing larceny.
The respondent was then placed on
the stand and told his story. He said
that he was at the hotel. 1t was rainy
weather and he had no overcoat with
him. He had previously loaned Dow
coat for a sort time and paid him ten
cents for the use Of 1t. That on the
Sunday morning in question Dow wa
aware that ne was going to take the
coat with him. and he was of the Opin-
ion that Dow himself held the coat fol-
him to put on. He said at that time he
expected to return to Lewiston the fol-
lowing day, but after reaching Portland
received n telephone message from
Rumford Falls calling him there and
that was the reason for his delay. He
stated that when he was arrested he
was on his way to Portland and was
then coming back to Lewiston and re-
turn the coat He had not the slightest
idea of stealing the coat. The respon-
dent stated that his name was d. c
Proctor.
on cross examination witness stated
that he went to Portland on the cleo
tries sunday. and on the followine
Monday morning left for I,umfort
Falls in response to n telephone mes
sage one week later he left Rumforo
Falls for Portland and was then com
ing back to Lewiston and get his UNI
brella which was still at the Dewitt
Proctor said he had been in Lewiston
several times but had not always stop
ped at the Dewitt.
What is your proper name?" asked
City Solicitor McCarty.
Il have already stated" replied tn
witness.
We'll. you may state It again."
IN. c. Proctor
You are sure that is your manner"
Yes. SIR
What is your business" asked At
torney McCarty.
Mr.. McGilicuddy objected to tn
question, saying that he could not Sc
what bearing that had on whether tn
respondent was guilty of the larceny O
an overcoat or not.
Tho court ruled that the witnes
might answer.
My business said the respondent
well. | deal some in the liquor bust
hess"
Was that your business in Lewis
tom
Yes. sir
What name did You register unde