Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-05-28
STILL REFUSES
To Surrender to Officers
From New York City.
Ralph J. Leavitt Holds the Fort
in 45-F0ot Launbh at York.
Willing 10 Surrender 10 Maine Authorities,
But Not to New Workers.

York IIarbor. Ne. May ETH shoot
the first man who puts his foot on the
deck Of my BOAT without my permission
They'll never take me to New York
alive. If | am taken it will be because
| am dead. If 90 back to New York
with these so-c;tllei sheriifs it will La
in my coffin.
I'm willing 10 surrender to Sheriff
Athornc of York county the moment he
says the W ord, but I'll resist to the end
the attempt Of these New York thugs
to take mo. I'll not be colared or Kid
mapped like AN unlicensed dog"
Such was the message sent by Ralph
J. Ieavitr. the wealthy New York
yachtsman, autoist and garage manag-
er. Wlo put to flight two New York Of
ticerS who came here Friday 10 apprc-
bend him On the charge of jumping
$500 bonds. He is charged with irrcg-
ularites in certain business TRANSACT
tons in New York.
The desperate defence Leavitt put up
when the two New York officers tried
TO board his yacht To seize him and car
~ him back to New York ana surren-
der him to the courts has awakened
deep interest, ana by many of the Vii
layers here he is regarded as a hero.
All day long crowds throngrd the
WharVcS nj the harbOr TO get Il elim. e 81
at the iI-foot naptha launch. Iiaidrc,
whose deck was the scene Of Il fierce
though brief naval engaS cement Friday
afternoon. The Haidee is trim looking
| craft Her hull is painted white. Her
cabin finished in the natural color of
the wood. She lay at anchor about a
half mile from shore; Today the boat
| men iii the harhor4Teaped a harvest
| from those who desired to get Il good
| look at her. but few of the hardy dnry-
men would venture very near her. tor
| fear Of being mistaken for New York
| officers.
There We're little signs of life aboard
| the Haidee. Pilot Philbrick ana E.ngi
neer Niend made Il few trips to shore.
| but Ter owner. the much-sought after
Lcaritt. was not to be seen. The only
| visitor allowed ABOARD the Haidee vas
Mr.. I.eavitt'S brother. NJ, X. i.eaVitt,
who said that he is Il dentist at Maiden
| Mass He came down from Boston on
| the p. NJ. train. just to see what was
going on, he said.
| lie was rDWcd over to the IIIiGce on
! his arrival at the wharf. and ON max
| inc known his identity was Immediate
| ly taken aboard. There he remained
| about 80 minutes ana then came
| aSl ore, where he was met by his
| brothers wife. Mrs. Ralph j. Lcavitt,
| who awaited him at the landing with a
stylish trap drawn by handsome
| large bay horse.
| After Fridays gun play and shooting
in The harbur. the New York officers
| who tried to tax" Ralph u Lravitt. left
town. They said that il WIS their in
| tention to 90 To Portsmouth. hire 4 tug
| and surprise I.earitt. Early Saturday
| morning il was said that Mr.. Lcavitt
had let his launch and had departed
| for parts unknown. He has consulted a
| prominent attorney of South B"rWiCk
| and it is presumed he is acting upon
| the advice If his counsel.
on hearing of the harbor battle Fri
| day sheriff George O. Athornc of York
| county put in IN appearance here. lie
| WaS rnWcd out To LravittS boat.
| Lcavitt asked him if he had come to
| arrest him. The sheriff replied thai hc
| Hal not. ANA was then invited aboard
| the boat, ana WAS warmly welcomed by
| LeIvitt. who told him that any time
| he ,Athorne) wanted him he would 90
| with him, but he did not propose to be
! taken by the New Workers. The shcr-
| if ;pcrt n pleasant hour with LeaEitt
and the former is said to have told him
that as he had not been consulted ol
conferred with regarding the capture
If Lrnvitt by the New Workers he did
not interfere ana would probably per
| nit them to fight ii out.
| ii is known that Leavitt has appealed
Ia Sheriff Athorme for protection. and
there is what appears to be a we'll
| founded rumor that two citizens have
been sworn III as special deputies for
guard.
Continued on Page Tenn