Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-02-11

ana SOc.-Ady.
no evidence necessary, but he would
have sheriff Cole tell his own story.
Harry D. Cole, South Paris
Lived in Oxford county all myslife.
Appointed deputy 1907, served six
years. Been and am sheriff now.
Remember when appointed Weeks
in January. 1921. He served till
September. .-
| Remember hearing of some trou-
BILE at Canton fair. WAS called on
phone and told that Weeks had
busted the fair" Went there and
fair officials were afraid their state
| stipend would be lost.
Men arrested not there, nor
Weeks. Talked with York, who was
with sick wife. Fair officials were
with me. York explained his game.
something on each string. Was sat-
| isfied not gambling and told York
he needn't go to court. He was not
! in custody. Knew none of other
men running game and not inter-
! eSted In them.
My sole purpose was to protect
Canton fair and officials. They ap-
pealed to me to get them out OF
trouble Weeks got them into.
Called Weeks on phone and told
him thought he had made a mis-
take; that the games were not gam
bling. Told him he haO the evil
dence In his own hands and asked
him to take the men into court and
get them discharged-solely to pro-
tect the fair. Never had any more
talk with him.
Met Weeks at Andover fair. Was
called there from F'ryeburg. Saw
Weeks, Talbot, Thurston, Poor and
others. Talked with them. Told
Talbot and others that had had talk
with Mr.. Pennell of Department of
Agriculture and he told me those
games would not interfere with
state stipend in any way.
Told Weeks afterward, in argu-
ing the matter out. that the game
was all right, and he said no. He
said he should arrest and told him
It would be the last arrest he'd
make for me. 1 did discharge him
later that day.
Next morning saw Weeks, read
dismissal to Weeks. He said he had
some civil papers. Told HIM that
until ! o'clock that afternoon he
could remain a deputy. I had to
| flo fha ~ Do
Saw doll games at Lewiston fair.
Visited fairs to see what the fakirs
were doing. !.
! Saw doll games at Bridgton fair
and other games.
At Canton and Andover only did
| what ! did 10 save the state stipend,
| not for any corrupt purpose. Have
| always tried to enforce all the laws.
Was at the conference spoken of.
Purpose, as 1 took it, was that if I'd
reappoint Weeks, thoy would drop
matter and make no trouble for me.
Been told several times that if I'd
do it. this proceeding would drop.
Complaint served week ago today on
me.
Cross examination
Parker-Been deputy and sheriff
about IL years? Yes.
Attended about every year and
had occasion to prosecute gamblers
| and lotteries? Some of first.
Heard serial numbers and box
game described. That the way at
Andover? Understand so-also Paris
and Norway. Two or three booths.
You saw them? Yes.
Two or three days? Yes.
knew it was gambling, pure and
simple? Yes. but no more than lot
of other games running.
You knew it was gambling? Yes,
in way, but permitted everywhere.
Why did YOU let them run?
1 cautioned the men about start
ing any game till saw the fair Off
cials. The latter and / visited all
games and some we barred. Others
we let start, with understanding that
when commissioner of agriculture
came next day.
|. Please people?
- u hhoNIl IISdIllS WIS
coming. Id had thousands of people
in court. Thousands played it and
sent their children. If I'd arrested
these people I'd got some that you'd
heard say Parker, you'd better
STOP"
Even if illegal anywhere. you
thought that. if allowed at Lewis
ton and other fairs, you'd let it run
in Oxford?
The people seemed to appreciate
and enjoy it.
AS sheriff, you did nothing against
these lotteries at Norway? No.
Though thousands played. you saw
| nothing to make YOU arrest the
men? No.
At Canton. you were called by DR..
Bricknell, who said Weeks had bro
ken up fair? Yes.
Anxious to protect Canton fair,
and why?' Thought they needed it.
Thought they were poor and you'd
let them run gambling games? Not