Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-10-26

AlsteId. n. IT,. oct. 23.-Aftcr hay
ing been 4 prisoner i'll his own room
throughout the night. with practically
no avenue OF escape open To him.
George Ford. accused Of shooting and
seriously WoUading Fred ShortcleeVe.
jumped to the ground. distance of
80 feet. ANA made his escape into the
woods during the temporary absence
Of the constable VINO had been guard
underneath the window for many
hours. " hen his escape was diScov-
cred. nearly half ;tn hour later q posse
Of 80 men went into the woods in pur-
suit. Shortclceve. who. it is alleged.
was the victim Of Il bullet from Fords
revolver. was somewhat more COM
Portable, this morning. and his recov
cry is expected.
After the shooting OH the Motel YER
anda, last night, which followed an
argument between Ford and Short
cleeve. Ford went to his room on the
second floor and after barricading the
door de1ed the ten officers who hur
ried to the scene for the purpose of
arresting him. once during the night
the officers attempted to batter down
the door. but a bullet from Fprd's re-
volvrr made the attacking party eau
tious and it was decided to bring the
prisoner to submission by starving
him. The officers surrounded the
hotel. guarded the corridors and pre-
pared for 4 long siege. During the
night Ford conVersed occasionally
with the deputies. on each occasion
warming them that any attempt to en-
ter his room would result in the death
Of the invading party and adding that
he would never be captured alive.
As morning approached. however. the
prisoner became quiet and it was as
sumed that he had gone to sleep. At
o'clock. the deputy who had been on
guard beneath the window of Ford's
room left his post in order to get some
breakfast at q nearby store. He had
scarcely turned his back when Ford
lcancd from the window and made his
way al full speed into the woods III the
rear of the hotel. His escape was dis
covered Il short time later and Deputy
Sheriff Perry soon gathered i posse of
80 men and hurried away in pursuit.
Ford i armed ana desperate ana be
cause Of his threat not to be taken
alive. il is feared that there will be
bloodshed before his capture is affect
ed
The search of the woods continued
until shortly before II O'Clock, when,
from information given Deputy Sheriff
Perry. who is in charge Of the hunt by
persons coming i'll teams along the
highways of the section, il was believed
that Ford was making for a secluded
place known locally as The Indian
Cave" As he would be able 10 defend
himself from d mdch larger number
than had started out after him if he
should reach this covert, the sheriff
decided to cali achievements and the
pursuit was temporarily suspended.
Ford was seen frequently by per-
sons approaching the town but who
did not know he was wanted until
they encountered some of the search
ing party. In each case the man had
dashed into the woods as soon as ne
became aware Of the approach of the
teams once =. Crosby. one OF the
pursuing party. caught a glimpse OF
Ford hiding behind a pile of stones.
The fugitives fired at Crosby and dis
appeared from view.
During his stay at the hotel Ford
apparently had been looking for work
and once he secured occupation but
gave it up in short time. II was
renorted. today. that he had bought
groceries here and that he frequently
had been seen in the vicinity Of the