Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-09-29

number Of pistols were missing.
Discovery Of the murder was due to
the failure of the Waterman to regis.
ter at the different stations through
out the store at times when he should
The watchman's system of the store
was connected with the district mes
Senger service so that when the reg.
lister failed to come in the police were
notified and an investigation started
This resulted in finding the dead body
Saw Negroes Near Building
Immediately an alarm was sent out
and Chief Bowen called out every man
in the department and set him to work
hunting the murderers. He also called
upon the fire department for assistance
In a very short time a police net
had been thrown around the city from
which it seemed impossible any man
could escape, but McRae, according to
his own story and the facts Of the case
did slip through
In very short time the police learn
ed that a party of three negroes had
been seen in the vicinity of the Walker
store at about o'clock Monday night
Some stories said they had been OBJ
served leaving the building.
A very good description was obtain.
ed of the men, especially of one of them
This was sent to all officers engaged on
the hunt in Portland and telephoned to
every point in Maine where the men
might possibly be apprehended.
Lewiston. Auburn Officers Get Busy
As soon as the message from Port
land was received by Chief McCarron
about 10 o'clock. an alarm was sounded
in these cities. Captain Murphy with
Policeman Libby, NJ. NJ. Murphy, Breen
and Painchaud took the patrol auto and
started down the line for Rumford
Junction, the message having brought
information which indicated the wanted
men might be coming that way. In Au-
burn they picked up Policeman Stables
Radcliffe and Mower and fastened to the
junction.
There they stationed themselves at
vantage points and waited
When a freight rolled in about ESQ
Capt. Murphy and Policeman STABLES
saw mans figure outlined against the
side OF a tank car, which was in the
train.
About the same tim! the man saw
the other officers and Jumped
Striking the ground he started on the
run.
Halt! shouted Captain Murphy.
The man stopped.
Put up your hands," ordered Murphy,
pointing his automatic that way.
One hand went up, full height, but the
other was only half way
Up with the other" ordered the Lew
iston police captain.
81 can't said the man.
Put 'er up or I'll shoot" allowed the
officer. The hand went up full length
Later McRae explained to the captain
that 1t was the first time in his life he
had ever put that hand up and he didn't
know how he did it then. The arm was
small and affected with a form of par
alysis.
Found Dress Suit Case
While they were searching the man.,
who said his name was Alexander Nc
Rae Policeman Radcliffe found on the
floor of the tank car dress suit case,
beside which lay a heavy coal chisel,
brand new, about eight inches long and
nearly an inch in diameter.
McRae was first brought to Auburn,
where the suit case was opened and it's
contents examined. 1t contained six
brand new automatic pistols. From two
of these the cartridge clips were gone.
Capt. Murphy is inclined to feel that
these were the weapons used in the
shooting, as he cannot account any other
way for the clips being gone. lie figures
they were used and then thrown away
In the grip also was new screw driver
of extra length and very strong Be-
sides these the case contained a suit of
clothes, two pairs of shoes, shirts, collars,
towels and soap.
The suit case was left in Auburn, as
an officer of that city located 1t, and
McRae brought to Lewiston and locked
up. the Portland officers being notified at
once.