Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-05


Sheriff Cummings declared that
prisoners were not allowed out of the
Jail nights.
The Bither Drug Store Case
The sheriff told of his suggestion
to Mr.. Moran, Federal prohibition
officer, that they look into the mat
ter of the Bither drug store which
had a Federal permit to sell alco-
hol. On investigation at the ex-
press company they learned that
Bither was receiving something like
10 gallons a month, as the sheriff
remembered 1t. Moran had said he
would take up the matter with Mr..
May and two days afterwards Sher-
if Cummings heard from Mr.. May
that Mr.. Bither's permit had been
revoked.
While a prisoner in the Jail, Mr..
Bither operated a typewriter, was a
trusty and did various kinds Of work.
He was high class fellow, the sher-.
if said.. Bither was allowed to go
to the store or barber shop across
the street from the courthouse, and
at times when his boy was home
from school at Pennington Bither,
accompanied by an officer, was al
lowed to go to his home to see his
son, who did not know that Bither
was a prisoner.
Sheriff Cummings recalled that
once Jack O'Brien, a prisoner, had
| been allowed to go down street to
mail some letters from the sheriff.
The sheriff had talked with Judge
Beane of the superior court about
permitting Shea, a prisoner, to work
outside the Jail and earn money for
his family. The judge while saying
S,that he cou'" not tell Shea to do II,
said he would recommend that it be
done. The sheriff said he had taken
up such cases with the county COM
missioners.
Willard, another prisoner, was al
lowed to so home nights to tend the
fires, his mother being an invalid
and unable to do this work. Seven
or eight women had called on the
sheriff and Governor Baxter relative
to the need of some such move In
this case, and Governor Baxter had
taken up the matter with Sheriff
Cummings. deciding to let the man
go home nights and return the next
morning to the Jail.
Prisoner Allowed To Work Outside
A number of people had come to
the Sheriff relative to Lyman Nc
Curdy. another prisoner, advocating
that McCurdy be allowed to earn
money for his family who needed
money. Sheriff Cummings had talk
ed over the matter with County Com
missioner Taber. McCurdy was
granted permission to work at vari-
Gus places and the money earned
went to his family.
Sheriff Cummings related instanc-
es where he permitted prisoners to
work outside the Jail and the money
which they earned was given to their
families.
you heard in testimony that Ed
ward Toulouse of Waterville made
$SS playing cards." asked Judge Con-
molly.
Il did," replied the sheriff.
What do you say to that
He never had a cent.
Gave Liquor in Sickness Gases
Have you been in the habit of
giving liquor away?
"Yes.
For what purpose.
an sickness.
did you first find out that the
Il did.
did you give alcohol for bathing
purposes for a man of prominence?
Eyes, sir.
"And that man had the reputation
of being a prohibitionist?
7 And his son who has occupied a
position of prominence, in this state
has the reputation of being a pro-
hibitionist.
HE has.
"And you gave alcohol to a person
occupying a federal position?
what for?
For bathing purposes, for his
daughter.
And you gave liquor for patients
in hospitals?
II have.
The sheriff explained his gifts of
liquor to the sick in detail. without
giving any names. Doctors, hospitals,
rich and poor had implored him for
aid, and in every instance Of re-
Spouse, he said, he first ascertained
that there was actual Illness. Two
of his patients" were cancer cases.
Several died after his gifts of liquor,
but their lives had been prolonged.
Many persons sought this unique
form of aid, with all sorts of excus-
es, the sheriff stated. He said he
never would give out liquor for bev-
erage use.
"The worst trouble had was at
election time," he declared, when
they would come to me and want a
quart or two, to get some votes"
"Oh, no, sheriff." exclaimed Mr..
publican politicians don't do that sort
of thing. Only Democrats
did you give it?" continued Mr.
Connolly.
mo, l would rather lose the cleo
ton"
The sheriff said he kept track of
prisoners after they left the Jail, and
after he had attempted to show them
the benefits of the straight and mar
row path. He had had much success
as a reformer, he said.
Kirby in Jail
He did not recall that he ever
hoped for suicide of Kirby. He told
of escape apparatus found in Kirby's
cell, and methods used to counteract
any attempt of this prisoner to flee.
Mr.. Connolly halted direct exami-
nation. The governor declared re-
cess.
Cross Examination Of Sheriff
Cross examined by Attorney Car
ter Sheriff Cummings told of his
talk with Calix Blouins getting out
of the liquor business and allowing
Blouin three days in which to get
away the liquor he had on hand. He
had not seized the liquor.
The only petition for guardianship
the sheriff had ever signed, as far
as he could remember. was for the
guardianship of Eugene LaBar.
The sheriff had received the order
to destroy \the liquor in the rum
room two or three months ago, but
all of it has not yet been destroyed.
Witness could not remember if he
had given the name of Calix Blouin
to the prohibition officers in Boston,
but he remembered irving the mama