Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-08-20
FISH CASES HEARD
BY THE MUNICIPAL
COURT on SATURDAY
J. Odelon Blanchette,
Herbert Weston and
: Forest Barnes Fined
for Illegal Fishing
Joseph Bolduc Fined
for Interfering with
Officer

The business Of the municipal court
at its Saturday sessions had princi-
pally to do with alleged violations Of
the Maine fish and game laws. four
cases being heard during the day.
J. Odelon Blanchette was arraigned
before Judge Lancaster on a warrant
sworn out by Chief Game Warden
Bertrand Smith. which alleged the il
legal fishing in the waters of the Ken
nebec river between the Augusta high
way bridge and the Augusta dam on
Monday, July go by using a spear for
the purpose of taking salmon. The
respondent pleaded not guilty to the
charge, but the testimony of two wit
nesses who were also arraigned before
the court Saturday on a similar
charge, together with the production
in court as evidence the spear with
which the respondent was alleged to
have attempted to take salmon, was
sufficient to bring from the court a
verdict of guilty, and the respondent
was given a sentence of s25 and costs.
alleged to have used Is an implement
of five barbs attached to a nine foot
bamboo rod and having attached a
line so that the spear could be thrown
and then pulled back by the operator
1t was retained by the warden and
will be added to the collection Of de-
vices for taking fish that is on ex.
hibition at the museum of the fish and
game department at the State House.
In addition to the above, Herbert
Weston and Forest Barnes were
swer to a warrant sworn out by
Warden Smith and charging them
with Illegal fishing in the river be-
tween the two points mentioned in the
above case, the warrants alleging that
they We're fishing for salmon with A
"gaff" on the same date that Mr..
Blanchette was alleged to have used a
spear for the same purpose. Both men
pleaded not guilty but were found
guilty and were each ordered to pay a
fine of s25 and costs.
The other case, the closing one for
the day was heard at 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, that Of Joseph Bolduc, and
while it was not for violation Of the
fish laws it was closely connected
Herewith. Bolduc, who is day
Waterman at the mills of the Edwards
Manufacturing Co, was brought into
court to answer to a warrant sworn
out by Warden Smith to answer to
the charge Of ohstructing. hindering
and interfering with an officer in the
discharge of his official duties.
According to the story as it came out
in court, Warden Smith learned from
Herbert Weston. who is a night watch
a the Edwards mills, where the spear
owned by j. Odelon Blanchette was
kept in one of the mill buildings
whereupon the warden was alleged to
have secured permission to so into the
building in question and search for
the spear, he being accompanied by
Weston. 1t was alleged, however that
Bolduc refused to allow the men to &c
into the building, and made threaten
ing demonstrations The spear was
found however. - secured and Boil
due was later arrested by Officer Nc
kenney Of the police force. On being
arraigned Bolduc Pleaded not guilty
but was found guilty and was given a
sentence Of so and costs or 30 DAYS
in Jail.