The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1906-12-06
Francis Surrenders

He Is Fonnd Sleeping in a Barn In Glen
burn The Officers are notified and take
Him Into Custody.
Wednesday afternoon of last week
news was received of the capture of the
escaped convict, Minot st. Francis, the
colored, man who escaped from the
State Prison, the afternoon of Nov. ID.
since which time he has lead his puIsu-
ers race long to be remembered. His
capture was directly attributable to the
energy of Mrs. Annie l.. Grover of Glen.
burn, who on Wednesday morning trap
ped Minot st. Francis, the fugitive con
Wet, in barn at her home.
Mis-. Growers version of the capture
of Francis. which, of course, is the cor
rect one, is here given for the frat time,
previous reports having been more OF
| less inaccuracies:
Francis first entered the hay barn al
Growers very early in the morning, pro.
baby about four O'clock, unseen by any
one, and remained there until about
6 80, when he decided TO look for some
thing to eat This was before any oil
the hay .pressing crew had arrived He
went to the house and asked for break
fast, and the instant he appeared in the
doorway Mrs. Grover knew him, from
having seen his pictures and read about
bis escape She gave him breakfast,
and he remained in the kitchen As min
utes reading newspaper which con
tanned an account of the pursuit..
hile reading the paper Francis con
fided TO Mrs. Grover that he WAS the
escaped convict, and said that he was
sick and worn out, and wanted to give
himself up. He soon asked, however
that Mrs. Grover put up lunch IN a
box for him and this made her suspi
cious that he had changed his mind
about giving up She agreed to put up
the lunch, and then, after drinking sew
eral cups of tea, Francis asked if he
could stay in the barn that day Mrs
Grover consented, and went with him
to the barn, carrying the lunch he had
asked for.
She directed the hay pressers who by
this time had begun work, to give
Francis some robes or blankets TO cover
himself while he slept in the hay, and
then returned to the house.
Before leaving the house to conduct
Francis to the barn, Mrs. Grover fearing
that Francis would change his mind
about sure ndering, had sent her IL
years old son Allie, as before stated
with the message to Station Agent Nor
in asking him to notify the Bangor
officers Then followed the arrival OF
Deputies Bowen and pratt, followed II
half an hour 10y p. o Inspector ROBIN
son and the others. When asked II SHE
was not AFRAID of Francis, Mrs Grover
answered with decided No!
Mrs Grover went to Bangor Thursday
and engaged the services of Lawyer
John f Robinson to prosecute bel
claim for the reward offered 500 b,
/ Warden Norton in behalf of the State Oi
Maine, and $40 by the United States
/ government. Mrs Grover related Il
i Lawyer Robinson all the circumstance
of the case. aud Mr. Robinson says tha
she is fully entitled to the reward, III
one else having any valid claim.
/ Mrs Grover was formerly Mrs Fisher
and lived for a time in Essex stre ct
j Bangor Mr. Fisher died in 1902 leav
ing her with three children, and soor
afterward she was married to Alfred
/ Grover of Glenburn and removed TO tina
town, where Mr. Grover is employed b!
/ Fred Cort manufacturer of charcoal
She is about 40 years old, unassnming
/ but spunky, as her clever caging o
/ Francis shows.