East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-03-27

The following story concerning
James Breen, arrested by the Pendle-
ton officials recently FOR cashing
chacks on banks in which he had no
funds is from the Spokesman-Review.
People who know Breeh here place
little credence in his story.
Following a conference that occu-
pied most of yesterday afternoon, ana
that was participated in by r. j.
Britain, Walla Walla photographer,
Attorney Del Cary Smith, represent
ing Mr.. Britain, Detective Alex
ander Macdonald and james Breen.
the announcement was made by one
of those in the conference last night
that James Breen, held here on
forgery charge, was believed to know
something of the disappearance or
Cecil Britain, 5-year-old son of r.
]. Britain, from his home In the
Blue mountain country in July, 1905.
But how much Breen, who Is at pres
ent an inmate Of the city jail, knows
about thedlsappearance OF the Brit
tain child and his kidnappers was left
largely to conjecture.
Breens claim to possess valuable
knowledge was weakened by the fact
that he has done time in the WASH
ington state penitentiary, and his de-
manding money before he will dis
close his supposed information re-
garding the disappearance of the
Britain boy.
Brecn I'm Rogue's Gallery.
While investigating the record OF
Breen yesterday the police stumbled
upon his likeness in the rogues' gal
lery at the police station. Breen did
not deny being the original of the
picture. In connection with the pic
ture 1t was learned that Breen was
convicted of cattle stealing IN the su-
perior court of Spokane in 1898 and
served three years in the peniten-
tiary Since doing time in the peni-
tentiary Breen has lived in different
parts of the country, and asserts that
he lived in the Blue mountain section
of Oregon at the time the Britain
boy was spirited away from home.
When upbraided for demanding
money from Mr.. Britain before he
would tell the latter what he knew
regarding the disappearance of the
youngster Breen said he was merely
thinking of the future OF his wife;
that If he got this money It would be
used to care for her. From this ii
was not clear whether Breen intended
to implicate himself or that he was
merely demanding the money in or
der to express thoughtfulness of his
wife.
Chief Skeptical as to Breen.
Chief of Police Rice is inclined to |
take Breen's pretense or knowledge |
regarding the kidnapping case with a |
great deal of salt. Unable 10 get any
thing that he regarded as of much |
importance from Breen, Chief Rice
gave his consent early in the day for |
Breen TO be taken to the office of At
torney Smith in the Zeigler building, |
where he was questioned at length. In |
giving his consent. the chief said he |
had been in hope that Breen might |
give up information that would aid !
in solving the problem and console the |
distracted father of the missing boy |
Detective Macdonald had custody of |
Breen on the visit to the office of the |
attorney.
Attorney Smith refused 10 discuss |
the outcome OF the conference in any !
way. 1t was learned, however, that !
as stated above. Brecn said enough to |
arouse hope that he knew who had !
Kidnapped the boy and what had been |
the fate of the youngster his bad rec
ord discredting him somewhat, how
ever.
Encouraged and hoping against
hope that some clue will yet be found |
in Spokane leading to definite infor- |
nation as to the fate of her missing |
son, word came from Walla Walla |
last night that Mrs. Britain left thar
city for Spokane yesterday afternoon.
1t is said sac still has some hope hat |
the lad found near Marshall Wash,
and later claimed as the son of Mrs.
L. NJ. Hart; a variety actress, may be
her boy, and is coming to Spokane to
see the child. Chief OF Police Rice
said yesterday that there was no
longer doubt in his mind that the lad
found at Marshall is the son of Mrs.
Hart
In furtherance Of the hope that
James Breen may know as to the fate
of the missing Britain boy other con-
ferences between Breen, Mr.. Britain
and the officials probably will be held
today.