Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-12-23


forts have uncovered no important
clues. The two wardens were re-
garded by Commissioner Parsons as
among the best in Maine. Mr.. FAR
sons stated that three days after the
tragedy a snowstorm occurred, COW
ering the ground so that any traces
would not be found, but the search
was continued far and wide.
MuIkern Pardon Hearing
That Mulkern is an innocent man
and that the whole case against him
was frame up" was the contention
of Attorney Cakes of Portland, coun-
sci for the petitioner at the hearing
for pardon. Verbal testimony and
written instruments were offered IN
behalf OF the petitioner.
In his petition. Mulkern alleged
that he is innocent of the crime, but
mindful of the decision of the court,
he set forth that he has fully re-
formed and that further incarcera-
ton would prove no useful purpose.
Three witnesses were sworn in be-
half of the petitioner. The first called
was Mrs. Mary Quarry of Portland,
who testified regarding conversation
she had heard between the mothereOf
the girl who was complainant in the
case, and another woman. She testi-
fled that she heard Mrs. Richards.
the mother of the girl, say that if she
could have had $500 the matter
would have been dropped, but they
found out that Mulkern was not
worth a nickel.
Thomas Walchc Of Portland testi-
fed concerning conversation which
he had heard after the case in court.
"You fixed Mulkcrn for 10 to 20
years." was the statement addressed
to the girl, he testified. The answer
that he heard was THAT didn't give
me any money.
Testimony as to the splendid be-
havior of Mulkern during the time
he was imprisoned in the Cumberland
county Jail, was given by William H.
Smith, turnkey at that institution. He
| told of two instances in which Null
, kern had stood for law and order by
notifying the authorities concerning
plots to escape, which were being
Matched up by the prisoners
| Attorney Cakes read several let
ters tending to show the good char
acter of the prisoner and that the
case was a worthy one which should
he carefully considered by the eXecu-
tive body.
Reformatory and State Pier Matters
State, Auditor Hayford appeared be-
fore the Governor and Council in ref
erence to the status of some of the
bills from the mems reformatory at
| Windham, and lie stated in this con-
I nectiQn that Il new pulp mill had
been erected in that vicinity and
some of the inmates of the reforma-
tory had been working there, and
one of the men had earned as high
as $40 a week at the mill. He said
$1,000 was taken out by the reforma-
tory officials for the prisoners ex-
penses and the men were allowed the
rest.
At Thanksgiving time one man sent
his wife home d check for $50 which
, sounded unique for a man serving
| sentence. AS the practice at the re-
| formatOry in this respect is some
| what new and little different from
that at the state prison, Auditor Hay
ford felt that he should inform the
council.
/ He also brought up the question
of some bills which had been sent
in by the directors of the state pier
These bills included the issuing of
two booklets, the hiring of bands. the
travelling expenses of w. b. Moore
who is going about the State telling
about the pier. advertising in certain
New York papers and other items.
all amounting to between $4,000 and
$4,000. Auditor Hayford was not GER
| tain whether he would be authorized
to pay these bills. AS he understood
that the legislature authorized only
the building of the pier, but subse-
quently council order was passed
which he thinks may take care of
these extra bills. and it was for the
Interpretation of this council order
that he appeared today
He pointed cut that the Lesisla-
ture had appropriated s1,15O,00o for
tiiC vi Vie pier ana OF TINS
amount about sS55.000 had been ex-
pended. The Governor and Council
in June authorized the Pier Commits
sion to deposit the income from the
pier to be used as general expenses.
| The present balance in the fund for
administrative expenses is S14.539.
1t is the understanding that the re-
cent bills are to be charged against
the income of the pier.
Ralph A. Jewell of Fairfield, chair
man of the board Of trustees of the
| tuberculosis sanitoriums, appeared
before the Council to ask for the
purchase of four acres of land around
the Northern Maine sanitorium. He
said the man who owned the land
was hard up and wanted to sell but
he wanted $500 an acre and some of
the councillors thought this price
VS. little steep, although admitting
that the land could be lsed to adj
vantage by the sanitorium. This