Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-05-26
FRANCIS vANNAH
FEELS HOPEFUL
Convicted Murderer of Ed
ward Hardy Thinks He
Will Be Freed When Case
Is Argued Before the Law
Court Talks of His Early
Life

Francis A. Vannah convicted at the
January term Of the superior court of
the murder of Edward E. Hardy on
Mach 20, 1913, in his camp on the
shore of Togus stream, was interview
ed Monday afternoon by a Journal
man, and during the course of his
conversation intimated that he thought
his chances of securing his freedom at
the June term of the law court when
his case will be argued, were good.
The old man talked very freely of the
case and seemed to be in the best of
spirits I cannot see," he stated, why
the case as it stands. does not show
that l will be freed. It's the most pc
culiar thing that ever had charged
against me-" he added, 'and | cannot
see why it should be, as I never had
a word with Ed Hardy in my life and
Cora Mrs. Hardy will tell you so if
she tells the truth
Fer a short time the aged prisoner
forgot about the case entirely and
talked about his youthful days. Il
was born in Nobleboro Me-, and lived
there until was about IS years Of age.
| then enlisted in the army, sailing an
a steamer from Belfast. We went FROM
there TO fOTlidIiu, NuSiC We
were stationed for short time,
going to Gallops Island, South
Boston. was in the army
a little over two months but new
er saw any actual service as / was not
enlisted long enough. If 1 could have
shown that l had been enlisted for a
period of three months 1 could have
drawn a pension" He then related an
incident of how number of rebel SOL
diers VINO were held prisoners by the
United States were made to march
around the Stars and Stripes.
Following the time of his obtaining
his discharge from the army Vannah
was married. He lived with his wife
for short time when he left her.
When asked if his wife was dead or
living he replied: Yes, she is NV
ing, / lived with her as long as l
wanted to and then turned her out to
pasture as the old fellow says. When
they get so they will steal from you
and their own folks it is time that you
got rid of them. | have always been
honest and square with everyone ana
if there Is person in this world that
I despise it's a thief. If l had my way
all found guilty of dishonesty would
receive nothing but bread ana water
three times a day during the time
that they were serving their sentence"
he said earnestly.
He commented upon his boyhood
DAYS and how he and his companions
used to go fishing. when l was boy
we used to go fishing in the Nobleboro
river Pickerel were in abundance, we
used to think nothing of catching 80
to 60 pounds day. Some of the old
fellows who lived in that vicinity used
to make a bushes sof selling them
and / have known of some of them
who must have made as much as $1,000
a year..
When asked If he was contented
during his stay at the National Home,
he said that it was an ideal place for
an old soldier who had no means OF
supporting himself. You hear good
deal of kicking but the most OF 1t
comes from Massachusetts fellows.
do not think that any one has any
right to find fault with the way the
! old soldiers are treated at the Home"
He then went on to tell OF his daily
walks. stating that he preferred TO
get out into the oupen air in prefer