The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-01-19
EDWARD McCLUSKY
FOUND GUILTY
Though Ably Defended
by w. II. Hawes
John A. MOOers' Detective Skill Finds
Facts of McClnsky's Past.

EuWuIu Mc1luSkS HdS lOullu Bulltg
by the jury in the Supreme court
Thursday night of assault with in
tent to rob George Jewett last june
They had deliberated on the case for
four hours and half and had return
ed once for further instructions. The
only point they were in doubt on was
what the Lancaster used on the
wheelbarrow for orpe after the rope
that played SO important a part in
the case was taken off of it. 1t is
understood that the jury on the first
ballot stood nine for conviction, two
for acquittal and one blank. After
the jury had brought in verdict,
McClusky asked Sheriff Mooers If he
would have tobacco enough in State g
prison. Justice King sentenced Nc
Clusky Saturday forenoon to two
years in Sta1e's prison. He was ta-
ken to Thomaston Saturday morning
by Deputy Sheriff Rufus McKenney.
This case proved to be one of the
most interesting and sensational ones
that has been tried here for some
time. The respondent was defended
by w. H. Hawes, of this place, who is
the youngest attorney in the county.
BY his conduct in the case he showed
remarkable ability and attracted a
great deal of interest by his argu-
ment. The attorney on the other
side was Attorney General Warren
Philbrook of Waterville, one of the
ablest court lawyers in the State.
Justice Arno King said to the court
the following day that the respon-
dent had been most ably defended
and no other lawyer could have done
better than Mr. Hawes.
During the progress of the trial
there developed the fact that Sheriff
John A. Mooers had, by his willy ways
and detective methods, found out the
history of McClusky. 1t seems that
fifteen years ago, a man by the name
of Charles p Rowland was indicted
on serious charges. Between the
time of his indictment and the time
for his trial he escaped from the Jail
and came to Maine. He left behind
a family of wife and children who
are now living there, it is claimed. A
short time after he arrived in Maine
ne changed his name to Edward Nc
Clusky and married his present wife
and two daughters have been born to
them. His family are now in de
plorable condition and are supported
by the town. He had been a State
pauper for some time.
The Supreme court adjourned Sat
since December 81. This has been
an unusually long term and Justice
King has disposed of a great deal OF
business. The criminal docket has
been long one. There have been
twelve jury trials on the civil dock
ct, twelve jury trials on the criminal
docket and one jury trial from the
equity docket There have been
eighteen divorce case hearings and
fifteen divorces have been decreed.
The last case on trial was that in
equity, Fred J. Tibbetts. trustee in
bankruptcy, VS. Arthur B. Cooley, Ber-
tie Cooley and Wallace e. Marble
The case was on trial for two days
The jury found for the defendants
The case is not usual in this court;
Arthur b. Cooley went into bankrupt
cy. Prior to this it was alleged that
he bought a farm in his own name
of about $500. The plaintiff was dis
charged in bankruptcy. The trustee
Fred j. Tibbetts, filed a petition in
equity to recover the property for the
creditors which was in BERTHE Cool
ey's name, wife of Arthur Cooley, at
the time he became bankrupt. The
jury found that the property was yir-
tualy BERTHE Cooleys and she had
paid for it with her own money and
Arthur Cooley had not paid for it
with his money or labor.
A decree for divorce was denied in
the case of Nellie NJ Chase lib VS.
Albert r. Chase This was the only
contested divorce case at this term of
court The case was dismissed with
out prejudice.