Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-30

william Hands, who, at the time he
I died, was about at the end or a 10
years sentence, having been committed
from Cumberland county, Me-, for con-
I nection with the Mosher murder. For
some weeks before his death he had
known that he was soon to die. had
| received the last sacraments some
weeks prior to the conversation here
inafter related, which conversation was
not part of or in connection with the
sacraments of penance or confession.
| About two weeks before the death
OF Hands / was visiting the hospital
| at the prison, and having talked with
the other patients, before leaving, en-
! gagged in conversation with Hands, the
substance Of that conversation and the
detail Of his language with his words
as accurately as l can remember them.
was as follows:
| After speaking about things in gen.
eral he brought up of his own yolition
the subject of his trial and conviction.
1 asked him casually if GRAHAM was not
sent down to prison at the same time
with him. He replier. Yes he was sent
down. but he ought not to be here I
.oio MN that that was strange. since
ne himself (Hands) had identified
Graham as being connected with the
Mosher murder. He answered: The
man that was with me the night of the
Mosher murder was not GRAHAM. but
q man head and shoulders taller than
he
| said to him: Why. then, did YOU
Identify Graffam? He answered: The
omcers in Jail frightened me to death.
and l thought by identifying. GRAHAM
would save my own scalp
GRAHAM is not a Catholic. and does
not therefore, come under my jurisdic-
ton. have passing acquaintance
with nearly all the prisoners, and know
intimately those who are there for
long terms, what they are there for and
now they came. but except as being
acquainted In this way, have not and
have not had any special interest I'm
GRAHAM. l never concern myself with
the guilt or innocence, although I fire.
quently listen TO their stories.
| This statement was made to me en-.
tireiy voluntarily by Hands, and sim
ply subscribe to it that the Governor
; and Council may have as accurately as
can be given what actually took place.
Il have made this affidavit contrary
to my custom of not having any active
part with reference to pardons, because
have always felt that Hands in his
conversation with me, was telling me
the exact truth. and he certainly was
under circumstances where he had no
occasion to volunteer any false infor-
nation"
Mr.. Littledeld spoke Of opportuni-
| ties GRAHAM had when a band mem
Der to escape. but disregarded. He
I also promised. IL pardoned or
parolled, not to enter Cumberland
county and to report to the officers
) whenever required.
MI. Littlefield had letter from a
! houseboat captain in Florida, offering
GRAHAM employment at SIS Der
month as sailor, if released. =,
Counsel stated he was not asking
pardon on the grounds Of clemency.
simply as a matter Of justice and that
no dependence could or should be
placed In the evidence that convicted
Graham. He is entitled to be set
tree, because he should not have been
put in prison"
The Opposition
Clement +. Robinson of Portland.
assistant county attorney for Cum
berland county. appeared for the
State and the opposition to granting
pardon. He said 1t was difficult to
express the deep feeling in that
county against pardon for GRAHAM,
man who mad been fairly tried and
! justly convicted on competent EVIL
dence of a most brtual and atrocious
crime murder. He had had many