Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-06-24
Charged with Breaking, Enter
ing and Larceny in Store of E.
P. Files at Clinton on Night
Of June IL
ENTERS PLEA OF NOT
GUILTY TO THE CHARGE
Unable to Furnish Bonds He Is
Committed to Kennebec Jail to
Await Trial-Arrested in
Town of Jonesboro

morning before Judge Lancaster of the
Municipal court charged with breaking,
entering and larceny of goods from the
store of E. p. Files of Clinton on the
night of June Il, to the value of at least
! $50 The goods stolen consisted Of cigars,
tobacco and eye glasses. After the break
the store was fired by someone and the
goods inside were practically total loss
The respondent was not represented by
counsel but entered plea of not guilty
Wills was suspected of committing the
break as a poeketbook containing his
name, three cigars and suit
case check were found near the
store where the break had been
made Deputy Sheriff c. V. Nash OF
Vassalboro discovered as soon as the
pocket book was turned over to him that
the suit case check was for suit case
in Portland belonging to Wills. BY re-
quest of Sheriff Getchell. Deputy Nasn
went to Portland and ordered the bag
gage master to have an person arrested
who might call for the suit case It was
but a short time when a letter was re-
ceived from Jonesboro from Wills re-
uuesting the baggage master TO send the
suit case to Jonesboro. The letter was
turned over to Deputy Sheriff Nash who
went to that place and after a somewhat
| difficult search succeeded in landing his
man.
Deputy Sheriff Nash was the first wit
ness to take the stand. He testified tnat
the letter written from jenesboro was
turned over 10 him. Previous to that he
in company with Constable VIM of CIin-
ton had gone to Burnham looking for tfe
man whom it was claimed by some of the
townspeople had been seen hanging
around the station. but they were un-
successful in their search. Later, upon
receiving the letter Deputy Nash went TO
Jonesboro where after a difficult search
he found Wills.
E. P Files of Clinton. owner of the
store where the break was committed,
testified that cigars and tobacco were
stolen and that his store was rhed.
He did not know the exact loss as the
fire had destroyed practically all the
goods. Entrance was gained to the store
from a back door covered with screen
ing for ventilation purposes in which a
hole was cut. The screen had been
ripped off and the door unlocked from
the inside by reaching through it.
C. S. Clement of Clinton testified as to
finding the pocket book in question a
short distance from the store. Jerome
Weymouth told of his wife arousing him
from sleep and telling him that she
thought some one was breaking into Mr..
Files store. He got up and dressed ana
was going to the store which was but
short distance from his house, but his
wife would not let him, being afraid to
stay alone with the children. He went
back to sleep again when suddenly his
wife awoke him the second time, telling
him that some one was running from the
store He dressed hurriedly and saw the
man leaving the store and It looked as
though he had a load of something in
his arms He called out to the man who
was then walking but the stranger start
ed to run and dropped part of the stolen
goods along the road,
He pursued the stranger for a short
distance when he looked back and saw
the store on fire. He turned then and
went back to the burning store yelling
| Fire" man by the name of Louder,
who testified that he lived just 81 rods
fire He dressed and started out, and
claimed that if he had not fallen over
chair in his house he would have I'M
doubtedly caught a good view of the
fleeing stranger. He further stated that
he found a box of tobacco and two ci-
CARS in his door yard, and that Is rods
further on he found four pairs of glasses
and four more cigars.
The respondent Wills took the stand at
this point and testified in his own behalf.
He stated that his home was in Beverly,
Mass, and that he had wife and three
small children. His age was "a. He had
worked in Beverly for the United Shoe
Machinery Co. and had also driven a
coal team. He left Boston on the boat
for Portland Saturday, June g. Sunday
night, June :, he left Portland for Water
Vile by freight. He and another man sat
on the tracks at Portland until the train
started and then they hoped into an
empty box car. They both got off at
Watervile as the freight stopped there.
He hung around Waterville and Fair
field looking for a job, but was unsuc-
cessful. He then went to Pittsfeld and
walked from there to Bangor, and then
left Bangor for Jonesboro, walking most
Of the time days and a good part of the
night without much to eat. He went TO
the home of brother in Jonesport whom
he had not heard from for three years.
He was in a weak condition and was giv-
en- something to eat, shaved and went
to bed. He rested up for TWO or three
Gays and then went to a lumb r camp in
Jonesboro, cutting pulp wood for s95 a
month and board 1t was his intention to
bring his wife to Maine in a short time.
Did you ever swing an ak before?'
asked Judge Lancaster. 20 yes" replied
the respondent, "a number of times"
AT the conclusion of the respondents
testimony probable cause was found and
he was ordered to furnish bond in the
sum of 5000 for his appearance at the
September term of the superior court. AS
the bond was not forthcoming he was
committed.
Hon r. J. Noyes returned Monday