Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-05-26
Curious to See Wife
CONTINUED from Page one)

train had hundreds of eyes leveled at
them with questioning glances. Even
the conductors were objects of sus-
pected arrivals and aiding them in
covering their approach.
Following on the heels of the COM
ing of Mrs. Kirby was flashed the
bulletin that Kirby had been taken
into custody at Newburyport. Then
came the news that Sheriff Cum
mings and a party had started for
the Bay State to bring back the man.
Crowd About County Jail
In most unbelievable short time
a crowd gathered about the county
Jail. 1t assumed such proportions
that Turnkey Castle notified Police
headquarters and a squad of patrol
men hurried to the scene, diverting
traffic and maintaining watchfulness
over the crowd. Automobiles were
parked over a wide area in the yicin-
ity of the Jail.
The chill atmosphere and the cold
drizzle failed to chill the spirit of the
crowd which momentarily expected
the thrill of sight of murder
er-prisoner. After more than two
hours of waiting many lost their
courage, gave way to discomfitures
of the day, though many others took
their places and remained until af-
ternoon. Knots and groups assemb-
| led and the barred windows attract
, ed them and seemed to hold their in
terest and attention as though they
expected that one might suddenly
| open and announcement be made
that Kirby had arrived.
Get Word of Capture
Detective James r. Wood of sos
ton had hardly reached the Jail Of
| flee when the news flashed in from
Newburyport that Kirby was under
arrest in that city. The officers were
engaged in completing a circulariza-
ton of New England that Kirby was
wanted for murder. The circulars,
had been turned out during the night
and half of New England was fur
nished with a complete description.
OF the fugitive before morning.
County Attorney Frank A. Southland
| joined the group in the iail office
end Inspector Joshua IT. Sweetsir of
| the Highway police arrived in time
| to join the prosecutor. detective and
sheriff as thew leaned into the big
closed automobile and sped from the
| Jail yard to claim their quarry. They
disappeared down the road toward
Hallowell. in a thrice t''ov ware we'll
on their way on the 135-mile drive
to Newburyport and a few hours
| later the news wires announced their
arrival there. Two hours Afterwards
they were reported as having left
/ Massa chusetts with the prisoner in
custody. He had waived the for
m n Iify Of extra difion
Halt Made at Portland
The officers were eager TO reach
| the Maine boundary line. Their ride
across the narrow strip of New
HAMPSHIRE was a dash. They cross
ed the bridge at Portsmouth and
| were in Maine where Kirby had no
| further leP~r r+rht to resist heing re-
| turned to Kennebec county for trial.
| The party stopped at Portland for
supper. Word reached them there
that a menacing crowd had gathered
at Augusta. They had been inform
ed of threats of. violence at VIM
throp. They feared a hold-up along
| the road.
Gov Ralph o. Brewster conferred
with Adj Gen. James W. Hanson and
| the advisability of holding a unit of
: the State Guard in readiness of action
was considered. Then the officials adj
vised Sheriff Cummings against re-
| turning Immediately here. The sheriff
and his companions decided to lodge
/ their prisoner in the Cumberland
| county Jail at Portland, where Sheriff
| King +. Graham received him and as
| signed him to a cell.
Road Crowded with Cars
In the meanwhile the roadways ap-
! preaching Winthrop and Augusta
! filled with automobiles whose passen-
| gers watched and waited for the ap-
| proach and passing of the sheriff and
, his charge. Some muttered threats
| had been heard. These threats had
| been re-echoed along the line as far
| as the State House, where Chief San
born hear them. Uniformed and arm
| ed members of his troop were assem-
| bled there. They were summoned to a
school of instruction where they re-
| ceived orders to be read for a dash
| down the highway in the direction of
| Portland to meet the expected automo-
bile and give it safe convoy. At the
| Jail crowd of more than 5000 surged
| and thronged, pushing and elbowing
| for places that they might catch fleet
| ing glimpse of the accused man as he
| stepped from the automobile.
Crowd Disappointed
Then came the word that Kirby was
| not coming. The crowd was disap-
| pointed. Then the world went around
| that it was merely ruse and it was
| believed the announcement had been
| made in an effort to dispense the gath
| ering. A few went away, by the crowd
| remained. For several hours they
milled around. resolved to wait.
| 1t was late when Sheriff Cummings
| appeared. 1t was whispered that the
| prisoner had been spirited into the Jail
| through another door but soon after
ward the sheriff told the walters that
Kirby was not coming, and they &C
| cepted his word.
Kirby has no counsel, nor has he
yet requested any.