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

attorney, was taken from the county
attorney.
Morning Session
Federal Agent Corbett Testifies
Judge Connolly called William r.
Corbett, member of the federal en-
forcement force in Maine at the
morning session. His residence was
in Augusta. Two other members of
the force lived in the city. Asked If
he took place in the raid on the
Thomas Quirion barn in Manchester,
he replied in the affirmative.
when did you first receive in
formation that this raid was to be
made?" inquired Judge Connolly.
Il object" exclaimed Seth May. Il
object to any. information which in
any way is confidential to the work
ing of my department being made
public. Anything which does not
pertain to the confidential reports, to
the methods of work, / am willing
should be told.
Judge Connolly said that he felt
he was entitled to this information;
to an answer to his questions. Gov,
Brewster announced that there would
be a recess to enable the council to
decide whether Corbett should an
sWer.
Tells of Conditions in Jail
Paul F. Roderigue of Augusta, tes-
titled that he had been an inmate of
the kennebec Jail being sent there
for liquor law violation. He has
sold no liquor since he was released
from Jail. He was a trusty and did
janitor work about the court house.
He ate his meals in the Jail kitchen
and was in the kitchen several times
each day. He never saw any liquor
in the kitchen or any receptacle that
might have contained liquor. He
never saw any prisoners intoxicated
or ever saw any signs of liquor on
them. The slide. in the kitchen was
locked except at meal time. He had
seen card playing in the Jail but no
gambling.
On cross examination by Attorney
Carter for the prosecution, the wit
ness testified that he did not take
particular notice of the slide every
time that he entered the kitchen.
Reuben L. Snow of West Gardiner,
selectman there 10 terms, testified
guard for Harry A. Kirby, Winthrop
murderer, at the Jail, and stayed
there 81 nights from June to Sep
TENDER, 1925. He supervised the cells,
peering into them at night, aided by
f1ashlight, every 80 or 40 minutes,
to see that all was well.
He never saw prisoners use liquor
in the Jail or any intoxicated, but did
see fellow named st. Lawrence, a
trusty, who appeared to have had a
drink or two. st. Lawrence was en-
ployed by the officers as a spotter,
during confinement, he said. He
thought the man got his liquor out
side the Jail. When st. Lawrence
made trouble in the cell block, Mr..
Snow said he threatened him with
night in the dog hole, and the fell
low desisted.
Wateryille Attorney on Stand
Arthur j. Crafty, Waterville attor-
ney, said he defended Perley Butler,
the former prisoner who was grant
ed leave from Jail to appear in
civil case in Waterville. He explain
ed that it was necessary to have
Buffers testimony in court, and he
therefore took the matter UP with
Judge Fisher of the Superior Court,
where the action was scheduled for
trial. The sheriff allowed Butler to
go to Waterville, as the court was
willing, the attorney said, and the
man was sent there with a deputy.
The case was not brought to trial the
first day, and Butler was permitted
to go home. The second day it did
not reach trial, and Butler spent a
second night at his home. The third
day, trial started and Butler testi-
fled. Mr.. Crafty said he did not be-
lieve the deputy stayed at the But
Ter home.
The judge saw no reason why But
Ter should not have come to court.
Mr.. Crafty explained, and the con-
hnement of Butler and the circum-
stance of his appearance were detail
ed at trial. There was nothing about
Buffers presence that was unknown
to Judge Fisher, the lawyer said
Mr. Crafty declared he had often
visited the Jail, and never saw or
smelled liquor there. although he talk
ed with officers and prisoners.
Mrs. Grace r. LaBar
Mrs. Grace r. LaBar was called as
the next witness. She stated that she
was resident of Augusta and the
wife of Eugene L. LaBar.
Attorney Connolly, with the affidavit
of her husband saying that the sheriff
had brought liquor to the LaBar home,
asked the witness if Sheriff Cum
mings ever brought liquor to the La
Bar home for her or her mother, Mrs.
Ramsey.
Absolutely not" replied the wit
ness.
Did your husband ever, telephone to
the Jail for Hquor?"
mo, he did not"
Did sheriff Cummings ever bring
liquor to your home at Readfield?'
He did not"
Cooperation for Togus Home
Col. Keith Ryan. governor of the
National Soldiers Home at Togus,
testified that there were between 500
and 900 inmates at the Home, veterans
of the Civil, Spanish-American and
World wars. He had asked deputies
under Sheriff Cummings to investigate
liquor conditions any they had done
so. The deputies came to the witness
for information and they had always
been willing to cooperate. The condi-
lions in the neighborhood of the Home
have improved during the past three
years and the conditions as regards
liquor have not declined during the
past year.
Col. Ryan said that only per cent.
Of the inmates of the Home are pro-
hibited from leaving the reservation
because of the bad use of liquor. The
conditions have constantly improved
during the past three years.
John O'Brien Of Augusta
John OBrien, formerly of Lewiston
and Augusta, now of Boston, cigar
maker, who served term in the Ken
nebec Jail for selling liquor, was call
ed. He said that he went to the Au-
gusta General Hospital during the last
Of his sentence for an operation. The
were made by Capt. |
CRUDE Cornish, secretary of the State |
board of charities and corrections, in
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