Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-12

the larceny of a sum of money from an
unknowIf>man on the Maine Central sta
ton platform in Gardiner and on the sus-
pieion that they were pickpockets. A
week ago Thursday they were given a
brief hearing and We're all held in 500
each for another hearing Sept. 10.
When the cases We're taken up County
Attorney Hildreth stated that he would
mol pross the case against Hamilton and
asked that the cases against the other
two men be still further continued in or
der that a witness could be present or
that the cases might be considered before
the grand jury. which Will meet Tuesday
John b. Kehoe of Portland who appear
ed as counsel for the respondents, oppos-
ed the motion and Recorder Atkins de-
cided to hear the cases.
Deputy Sheriff Dawson, Arthur p. Bar
ton and wife were the witnesses for the
State. Barton told how his attention was
|called to four men on the train coming to
Gardiner, being informed that they were
crooks. He and the brakeman on the
train watched them and at Gardiner he
saw Moore. whom he identified with
Hamilton and Smith as being the men
pointed out to him. get off the train at
Gardiner and feel the pockets of an ell
derby man and then put his hand in one
Of his pockets. He could not say that
Moore took anything out The men then
got off the train after it had started
for Augusta. When he got to Watervile
he told Sheriff Dawson about it and later
pointed the men out to the officer. Mrs
Barton testified only to being told that
the men We're crooks and identified the
two respondents as two of the men point
ed out to her. Deputy Sheriff Davisons
testimony agreed with Mr.. f3artons and
he further told of arresting the men.
George Moore. one of the respondents
testified that he saw Barton and the
brakeman talking together and as he and
Hamilton were drinking he got Soff the
train at Gardiner to avoid trouble, fear
ing that he might be arrested He denied
seeing any old man in Gardiner or feel
ing in anyone's pocket Cross-examined
by County Attorney Hildreth. Moore said
that he was Spectator. sometimes al
auctions and sometimes in whiskey, bu:
he denied being pocket peddler. He said
that he was going to the fair to play the
horses and open a game. He refused TO
give any street address in Portland but
said he had lived there seven years. He
also denied being with Smith The cross
examination by the county attorney was
quite rigid and was done to affect his
credibility.
/. Just before the arguments were made
Charles W. Gilbert OF Waterville. the
brakeman on the train. arrived. His tes-
timony was somewhat conflicting with
that of Mr. Barton's, he saying that
Moore tried to get near woman and
that Smith was the one who followed the
old man off the train He also said that
Moore had on light suit of clothes when
he saw him last, but Deputy Sheriff Da-
vison testified that Moore had not chang
ed his clothes since he had been in jail
Attorney kehoe argued for the discharge
of both respondents on the ground that
the evidence had not proven them guilty
beyond a reasonable doubt. and he called
attention to the contradictory evidence
If the States witnesses. County Attor-
ney Hildreth in his argument spoke Of
Moore's acknowledgment that he was
speculator and took the stand that the
men were unable to do any work as the
officers were informed about them in
time He asked that the cases be contin-
ued in order that the officers have fur
Their time or that the grand jury might
threSh the evidence out and investigate
the mems records.
Recorder Atkins ruled that while the
evidence was not st-ung it was suspicious.
and he should find probable cause and
grant the continuance for a final hear
ing on next Saturday, Sept. II. and held
the men under $500, the same bail as be-
fore