Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-11-22
4 tIFESENFENcE
FOR HARRINGTON FOR
MURDER OF PREECE
Protests His Innocence When
Judge Savage Pronounces
Doom at South Paris-Taken
to Thomaston-Steeves the
Alleged Bigamist, Forfeits
$4,000 Bail-Mexico Bridge
District Commission Appoint
ed.

A very little time suflced to conclude
the business Of the october term Of Su-
preme Judicial Court, which had been
suspended until $50 last Monday after
noon. Chief Justice Savage and Stenog-
rapher Conforth arrived on the after
noon train.
the imposition of sentence on Patrick ].
Harrington, which was done at the open
ing Of the court Tuesday morning. The
main facts Of the Harrington case are
familiar to the public. On the morning Of
the 9Th Of November, 1914, the dead body
Of Thomas E. Preece was found beside \
road in Sumner. Almost exactly a year
later, as the result of work by the au-
thorities, Patrick ]. Harrington Of MARI
boro, Mass, was arrested at lumber
camp at Kokadjo, Maine. charged with
the murder Of Preece, and was brought
to Jail at South Paris. He admitted hav-
ing been the companion of Preece, and
made a statement to the effect that Preece
was killed by the accidental discharge of
a rife which was in the carriage in which
they were riding.
Harrington was tried at the last March
term of court, ind was found guilty. No
evidence was put on for the defence. An
appeal was taken to the law court but
Harrington had no funds to pay the ex-
pense of printing the evidence and other
necessary expenses. The county commits
sioners were asked to allow the expense
paid by the county, but declined. and
Harrington finally decided to withdraw
the appeal.
The entire proceedings in connection
with the sentencing Tuesday morning
occupied not more than four or five min
utes. There were present in the court
room only II people, including court off,
GERS and reporters.
Harrington's attorneys, Alton c.
Wheeler of South Paris and Hon. Frank
A. Morey of Lewiston. sat in the bar. and
Mr.. Morey rose and formally withdrew
the appeal in the case. Sentence was
then imposed.
Harrington was asked by Judge Savage
If he had anything to say before sentence
ly, mo. Your Honor, except just the
same as 1 said before, am absolutely
innocent Of the Charge
The sentence of imprisonment for life
in the State prison was then imposed by
Justice Savage and pronounced by Clerk
Record.
John Roakes Of Thomaston, captain of
the guards at the Maine State prison.
came here Friday morning and took back
with him Patrick ]. Harrington, who had
received a life sentence on Tuesday. Har-
rington has been in the Jail for little
more than year. and has been a model
prisoner. He is Of rather a happy-go-
lucky disposition, and having realized for
some time what must come. accepts the
situation more philosophically than many
men would.
One other criminal case received the at
tention Of the court during its short ses-
sion. In the case Of Hiram Scovil Sleeves
the bail was defaulted. At the last March
term Sleeves was tried for bigamy, the
charge being that he married one woman
some Is years ago in Waterville, and q
few years since contracted marriage at
Mexico with another woman, who was
the widow of Hiram T. Richards Of that
town. He was convicted, and a sentence
was imposed of not less than two nor
more than five years, with a recommends
ton that it be five years. Pending the
appeal Sleeves was released on barr IN
the sum Of $oocO, the sureties being the
Mexico wife and her sist~r. He is now in
parts unknown.
In the Mexico Bridge District case a
commission was appointed, consisting of
Hon. Albert r. Savage of Auburn, Hon.
w. T. Cobb Of Rotkland, and Hon. Paul
D. Sargent of Augusta. This commits
sion is to AZ a valuation on the Mexico
toll bridge.
Final adjournment Of the term of court
was made early Tuesday forenoon.-Ox-
ford Democrat