Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-13
Taylor Dischargedin
NUT Post Office Case.
Hearing Before United States
Commissioner, Saturday.
Notorious Chas. Stains Testimony Proves
Worthless, As Usual.

II,
who was accused of burglarizing the
United States postoffice at Shawmut.
was arraigned before United States
Commissioner Burleigh, Saturday
morning. in the grand jury room at the
county court house and because the
witnesses for the government had not
put in an appearance, the hearing was
adjourned until l o'clock. After an ex-
animation lasting two and half hours,
Taylor was discharged by Commission
er Burleish.
In the absence of United States Dis
trict Attorney Dyer. the case for the
government was conducted by Deputy
Marshal Haskell. and the respondent
was represented by A. M. Goddard. For
the government side. three witnesses
were introduced. They were Charles G.
Hume. postmaster at Shawmut, and Mr..
and Mrs. Charles f. Stain of Mercer.
Postmaster Hume testified to the rob-
to the subsequent burning of the build
ing in which it was located The loss
sustained by the government according
to Mr.. Hume, was $178 in money and
about SIS in postage stamps. as we'll
ernmtnt property.
Charles F. Stain, who was brought
up from Portland by Deputy Marshal
Haskell, told a story. that under some
circumstances would have been very
damaging against the respondent.
Stains testimony was, i'll it's import and
parts, as follows: Taylor came to me
two weeks before the Shawmut post
Office fire, while I was working for
John Bunker's son. Taylor said to me:
Why do you work for so cents day. I
can put you in a position where you
can Go better. have been to Shawmut
with Mr.. Lehman, and l was in the Of
flee of the manufacturing company.
The safe was Open He described the
safe TO me- and said he could open it
IN half an hour. He said we would have
to have four drills that would cost so
cents each. and we would also have
to have a handle which would cost IS
cents"
Stain continued to give his alleged
interview with Taylor regarding the
plans for the alleged robberies.
Throughout his entire testimony, Stain
displayed a marked antipathy against
the respondent. In cross-examination,
Mr.. Goddard brought out the fact that
Stain had served terms in the New
Hampshire and Maine State prisons
and a Jail sentence.
stein was plainly nettled at the stand
taken hy Mr.. Goddard. and he refused
to- "us wer many of the attorneys ques-
tionS. Mr.. Goddard stated to the court
that he was attempting to show the
reputation enjoyed by the witness for
general untruthfulness, etc. Mr.. Cod
dard brought out the fact later, that
Stain had admitted on previous occa-
siOns. to bearing false witness against
his father, who was convicted of mur-
der and sentenced to State prison for
life. and who was subsequently par
doned. Stain denied ever having trouble
with the respondent. and claimed that
he had always entertained friendly feel
ings for him. Stain asserted that a man
named WEIGH had asked him to "get
a gun and shoot the whole ID Tay-
Tor family" and that he had told Tay-
Tor of this
A. p. Dutton, postmaster and store
keeper of Mercer, testified to seeing
and talking with the respondent on the
morning of the postoffice fire at Shaw
nut. and Will Mcguire and other wit
neSSes testified to seeing the respond
ent on that morning as early as 5
o'clock.
Taylor was put on the stand toward
the close of the examination and he en-
tered a general denial to the testimony
of Stain, whom he characterized as "a
liar" Taylor told of his actions for 4S
hours preceding the Shawmut postoffice
fire. and told the names of people whom
nc met while on horse trading trip
during that time. He testified that he
passed the night preceding the fire and
burglary at his home in Mercer. and
his testimony was corroborated by his
wife, Mrs. Phiora Taylor, and his son,
Percy Taylor
When the evidence was all in, Mr.
Goddard stated that he had nothing to
say, as there appeared to be no need of
an argument in face of the perfect alibi
established by the respondent. Deputy
Marshal Haskell, for the government,
rested the case on the testimony of the
witnesses produced by the government.
and Commissioner Burleigh announced
that Mr.. Taylor was discharged.
The Susannah Wesley Society will