Daily Kennebec journal., 1922-02-11
You attended fair that afternoon!

WCCho 0AiCStS0 Alms OAuu DEC
game operated. Saw many tickets
strewed on ground. yellow and
numbered.
Cross examined by Dyer-Known
Mr.. Cole as sheriff and deputy some
Is or II years and has he been faith
full? Never heard complaint before.
He has been efficient.
He ever obstructed justice? Never
heard any complaint. except this and
don't think he is grafter-a good
type of man and better official than
average.
John e. Stevens, Rumford
Parker-Reside, in Rumford? Yes.
Hear on Sept 20. Weeks been re-
moved? Yes. What for? .Arresting the
moval.
Had noticed the gambling devices.
Looked for Cole and didn't find him.
Learned Of arrest. Called Cole and
asked if he removed Weeks for the
arrest. Told him we had been friends
so years, but when an efficient officer
for doing his duty, protest. Several
of us saw him next day at Runford.
Mr.. Lowe told him it was very
serious matter. Cole said Weeks was
efficient. no trouble with him. Asked
him why he discharged Weeks and
he said Weeks hadn't obcycd his or
ders.
Cole said Weeks Disseminated and
allowed other games to run. Asked
Cole if he had served papers on
Weeks. He said no. Said if Weeks
apologized, he might fix it up. We
asked: Apologize Cor doing his
duty?" and he didn't answer.
Cross-examined by Wheeler -
known Cole all his life? Yes.
Know he faithfully. and efficiently
performed his duties as, sheriff and
deputy? Yes, I voted for him and
! helped him.
MY position here. I feel it's my
duty as an American citizen to pro-
test against such things and save the
good name of oxford county.
Rev. r, F. Lowe, Rumford
Parker-On night of second day OF
| AndOver fair, talk with Cole about
| removal Of Weeks? Yes, asked
what reason he and Weeks didn't
| obey orders and the orders were not
| to arrest men in certain games.
asked if Weeks wasn't technically
| correct and he admitted it. Saw him
next day at RumfOrd. Cole spoke
well of Weeks. Cole said games had
| been allowed in Lewiston and else
| where and had permission of Agri-
| cultural department.
We put up the seriousness Of dis
charging a man for doing his duty
| and it would have great effect in
| Oxford county. Cole said he wouldn't t
fix it up till Weeks apoIogized. Spoke
we'll of Weeks as an officer.
/ Cross examined by Dyer-Been in
| Rumford about as long as Cole been
| sheriff? Yes.
Voted for him? Yes.
Usually on his side?
Am on the side 1 think is right and
that is usually the Republican party
not always.
You didn't believe Cole a corrupt
man? I never have.
Why did you call Cole on phone
hNettu VI Ease lIOIlI JOIlfl S9tGtenS.
lated asked Cole to keep Weeks and
settle up the matter. Thought it a
| matter better be disposed of.
Not so serious but that Weeks
| might be kept and offense condoned
| | would pass over the matter, not
| condone it, ~
You wanted Weeks to continue in
| office? Largely that.
! You didn't think so much Of the
baby dolls as to keep Fred Weeks in
| office? l wouldn't answer that in
the way you want me to say.
Rev. Allen Brown, Rumford
Parker-Present at the conference
Dyer-We will admit all that these
witnesses have said and will say
about conference.
Parker-Better state what hap
| pened. 1t was substantially as given
! before. Heard Cole say he removed
| Weeks because he arrested those men
and would keep Weeks if he would
| apologize.
Cross-examination by Dyer-Did
anybody suggest to Cole if he kept
Weeks the matter would be dropped? i?
Yes. Others all agreed. Mr.. Lowe
| told me of matter over phone. I was
| asked to attend conference. Been in
| Rumford over six years. Know Cole.
Up to this time never heard single
criticism of Cole. Regarded him
faithful and efficient.
Charles A. Mixer
! Parkcr-Am chief engineer Rum
| ford Falls Power Co. Was at con-
| ference. Asked by Mr.. Lowe to gu
| in. Heard the questions and answers
| of Cole and others. as has been told
| here Cole discharged Weeks for
disobcyinS orders. Cole tried to JUS
| tify himself and said couldn't have
| fairs without gambling. He seer led
| to have a standard different from
, ours.
Cross examined by Wheeler--Lived
| in Rumford 80 years. Didn't see what
| happened at fair and took no part in
| it. Felt Cole had opportunity to
correct himself. -t..
Had in mind by correction" the
keeping of Mr.. Weeks? Yes, largely.
Purpose of meeting was to keep
Weeks? 7 didn't, know it.
What did Lowe tell You the meet
. ing was for? I don't remember dis
! tinctly, was simply asked to go in.
Know of Cole? No. Heard Of
him? Yes.
! Know of his obstructing justice?
No.
John +. Talbot, Andover