Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-05-03
Calls Highway Police
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OdIlS 11ASlV dy l. OliNC
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operating the Jail directly under the
face and nose of the Brewster nom
nee.
Spectacular Move
On Saturday afternoon the peace
full citizens of Augusta were treated
10 a spectacle without parallel in
the history of this State. and which,
if the temper of the people may be
taken as an indication will have
echoes for some time to come and
most particularly on election day
next June and again in September.
Evidently not certain of their posi-
ton or dubious as to their ability to
cope with the situation, instead of
assembling the newly commissioned
deputy sheriffs of the Eastman or
ganization, the new sheriff obvious
" acting upon a prearranged plan
called upon Chief Arthur II. Field
and his force of State Highway Pol
ice to batter down the doors of the
county Jail in the fair Capital City
of Maine. TO place him in the posi-
ton of his supposed authority.
Use Picks, Sledees and Axe
Though there are two distinct and
seperate entrances to the prison
part of the Jail, one of which is
plainly labeled Jail entrance and
from long usage had come to be the
accepted means of entrance and exit
on official business highway
police officers, thirty three in num-
Der, chose the State street portal to
the residential part of the county
building for the scene of their at
tack, and with picks. sledges and
axes, smashed in the glass and
forced an entrance into the home of
the sheriff and his family.
Big Crowd Gathers
Word of the storming of the coun-
ty prison spread as on wings OF
magic and the crowd which assemb-
led filled the street in front of the
building and extended across the
lawns and far up adjacent thorough
fares Automobiles We're parked as
far south as Monument Park on
State street, and west on Winthrop
to the Universalist church.
All during the spectacular pro-
ceeding the attitude of the citizen
observers was distinctly hostile to
the militant manner adopted by the
State officers and disapproval was
freely expressed of what was char
acterized as the "Perversion of au-
thority' in the use of the highway
police In such a high handed man
ner.
Boo Highway Police
Members of the uniformed High
way Police were booed and "razzed"
by the antagonistic spectators. and
uncomplimentary epithets were free
" hurled at Chief Field and certain
OF Sheriff Eastman's deputies on
ehelr every appearance.
Something was in the air, all day
long Saturday, and reports kept
coming to the jail that some action
would be taken before night by the
olate Highway Police. Sheriff Cum
mings, who was ordered removed
from office by Gov. Brewster, the
removal to take effect at noon
thursday. refused to give up the of
nee to the appointee of the Governor,
'ohn M. Eastman of Benton.
The removal of Sheriff Cummings
was ordered by Governor Brewster
alter the Governor and Council had
sustained charges of inef1iciency
against him and after a majority of
C.e Justices of the Supreme Judicial
Gourt had rendered an advisory
oplhlon that the Governor had the
sisnt to vote for the removal of the
aeriif, and also had the right to re-
move the sheriff.
Mr. Eastman was qualified as
a1erltf at noon Thursday before
SSuuee Sanford L. Fogg of Augusta,
nvpuly attorney general as a dedi-
S justice, remained at the Jail
theiE minute from the time he took
t e oath until about Saturday af-
TI,noon. when he received a tele-
Pt a'e call, evidently from Chief
.eiq OF the State Highway Police
VI lne State House.
Eastman Attempts to Enter
Sheriff Eastman appeared at the
s sn door Of the Jail at $50 o'clock,
oSseofipanied by two of his deputies,
ans ar +. Hageland of Waterville
Sb a ". 3. Hunnewell of Augusta
N" y, Eastman's turnkey.
a ne door bell rang.
a., IAN ] speak to YOU. Henry >"
Sd neu Sheriff Eastman on the out
t,. Oh Sheriff Cummings.
ca lou can speak to me when YOU
Gnu Gnu your men away" replied Sheriff
WINNINGS.
pnlerl11 EaStman's voice trembled.
wou Equities Hagelund and Hunnewell
%,hed down the steps of the Jail.
\. suefiff Eastman had no paper or
NVcuinent in his hand.
aa I1fln Cummings opened the door
", nenry. | demand that you turn
S ae Keys of the Jail over to me-" said
sheriff Eastman.
cummings Issues Defiance
o. VIII not do it," replied Sheriff
Cummings.
fS, lou fellows heard what he
Sbhneflf Cummings said" remarked
Iuns Eastman to Deputies Hage-
tbn u and Hunnewell. who were at
81 LOOT of the stone steps. Then
ana s'i u Eastman. Deputy Hagelund
in :. deputy Hunnewell drove away
se direction of the State House.
hill sefal minutes later an automo-
ana arove up to the front of the Jail.
war liner Field of the State High
alisb romeo and Sheriff Eastman
sta nn'ed' They We're followed up the
war yS oy members of the State High
soilce IN charge of Inspectors