Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-07-04
Admits Striking Conductor
Wright at Vassa|boro.
Claims He Did Il In Se|t-de-
fence After the Struggle.
Saws Ne Was Broke" and Wanted
to Get TO WaterviIle.

Joseoh Grad, VINO was charged with
assault with a dangerous weapon up
on Conductor II. A. Wright of freight
train No Al at VasSalbOro station on
the day of June %, was before Trial
Justice Dana p. Foster yesterday
morning in the superior court room
The case has been attracting consid-
cradle attention and the room was
r",vueu with people, especially rail-
road employees. Upon the reading Of
the warrant Grad pleaded not guilty
to the charge, but after much testi-
mony had been given against him, he
took the stand in his own defence and
acknowledged that he struck Wright
in his own defence. He was represented
by Hon. S. S. Brown.
The witnesses called by the State
were C. H. Priest, assistant superin-
tendent at Waterville, Conductor H
A. Wright and Roy Patten, a brake
man on Train No Al. City Marshall
Harrington was also sworn, but neith-
er he nor Patten' gave evidence
Superintendent Priest in answer to
a question by c. F. Johnson, the Maine
Central attorney, stated that on Mon
day, June 90. Wright reported to him
the assault and that he in company
with Deputy Sheriff Rich and Con-
ductor Wright went to Vassalboro on
Train No. 90, which arrived there
about $40 P. NJ. When they arrived
at the station they saw man answer
ing the description of Grad on the sta
ton platform, who, on seeing the two
men, started to run over the fields.
The officer gave chase but could not
catch him. Priest stated that on return
to this city he had a warrant sworn
out against Grad.
Conductor Wright testified that he
first saw Grad at Augusta when he
ordered him out of an empty box car
He again saw him at Kennebec Sid
ing near the head of the train, but as
he was in the caboose writing he made
no effort to put him off. When they
reached Vassalboro Grad was again
found in an empty car and was again
ordered off. He made considerable talk
according to the conductors testimo-
ny and was assisted from the car.
They had a few words when Grad was
pushed over the bank on the land side
of the track When the train was about
to start Grad walked around the head
of the engine and crawled upon the
treStle work beneath the first car. He
was seen by the head brakeman. who
beckoned Wright who Immediately
went to that part. Wright claimed that
when he was within a few feet of the
car, Grad jumped out and struck him
over the head. He was stunned for a
few seconds by the blow, but after
Ii.
chase. Grad started in the direction
of Waterville and the railroad men
gave up the chase.
Grad then took the stand in his own
defence and acknowledged that he
struck Wright, but in his own defence.
He admitted that he came from Au-
gusta. where his mother lived and had
no money and was going to Waterville.
He described what took place between
himself and the members of the train
crew at Vassalboro station and his tes-
timony was about the same as that of
Wright only he claimed that when he
left the trestle work of the box car
he did not intend to strike Wright and
it was not until he saw the other men,
bers of the crew coming that he did.
He then made off through the fields
and hid After the train pulled out he
walked back to the station and stayed
there until the officer from this city
arrived and he then made for the
woods. That night he walked to this
city and remained near the station un-
til the first morning Pullman left, he
going with it on the head end. He re-
turned to this city the day before yes
terday and was arrested Thursday
night
After the testimony was all in. Trial
Justice Foster found probable cause
for holding the man for the September
session of the grand jury and placed
him under $1,000 bonds for his appear
ance. He was unable to furnish bail
and was taken to Augusta in the after
noon