Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-03
Federal Agents Plot
Continued from Pace 12)

(Noptinueo from rage ~
ibid anything come out Of the in
vestigation?
Nothing.
HAS tire been any investigation
Of the sheriff since you became coun-
ty attorney?
II should say no.
Were there any federal men In
Maud Clements house?
II heard they were there.
Never Had Evidence Against
Clements House
"Have you ever had any evidence
that Maud Clements maintained a
house of Ill fame?
Never.
HAS Maud Clements q. criminal
record?
mot that know Of"
On examination by Attorney
Carter for the state, the witness
testified that Sheriff Cummings, Ca
liz Blouin AMI Judge Maher. counsel
for Blouin, came to his office and
asked that Lett be extradited from
another state for the larceny of
Blouin's safe.
At this point Attorney Connolly
read an indictment by the grand
jury in the federal court against
Arthur Lett, alias James Lett, Of
Salem. Mass, and Katherine McDer-
mott Of Lynn, Mass, for unlawfully
transporting 55 gallons of alcohol at
Saco.
Sheriff Never Refused to Aid,
City Marshal Gaskell of Waterville
testified that he had known Sheriff
Cummings for a year and that he
never had refused to aid him in the
enforcement of the law. He did not
think that Sheriff Cummings handled
his cases in a bungling manner.
What are the conditions in your
city," asked Judge Connolly
They are good" replied the wit
ness.
did you ever know Of any COM
plants made to the sheriff to go
unheeded?"
"No."
do you know of any alleged liquor
dealer in your city being protected
by the sheriff."
mo. sir"
Witness said that there had been
four arrests for intoxication since
the first of January and one Of the
four was presented to court. The
four arrests were for intoxication by
bay rum. canned heat, vanilla liquor
and bootleg liquor, the man arrested
in the last case being presented to
court.
Trusty Tells Of Conditions
Next witness called by the defense
was Harry A. Messenger of Boston,
who had served term in the county
Jail for driving an automobile while
under the ifiuence of liquor. During
his four months sentence he served
as trusty, being inside turnkey. On
his release from Jail, he tried to OBJ
tain work in Boston. but being un-
successful he returned to Augusta
and was given a job by Sheriff Cum
mings at his farm. He was paid
wages of 81 per day and his board.
He saw no lax conditions while in
the Jail.
Referring to the members of the
So called "Millionaires' Club" Mr..
Messenger said that they were al
lowed no special privileges and turn
other prisoners.
Witness said that he had profited
by the suggestions given him by
Sheriff Cummings at the time he
completed his sentence. that he has
drank no liquor since, and has been
employed by the Central Maine Pow
er Company for time in civil en-
cheering work.
While Messenger acted as inside
turnkey, women were allowed to
visit their husbands and brothers
only, in cells.
Were any 1appers allowed to run
around the. Jail and entertain men in
cells?" Mr.. Connolly asked.
mo-" said Messenger.
He accused Chief Arthur H. Field
of the state police of calling him a
liar, after he was summoned to the
State House several days ago, while
the effort to mass prosecution wit
nesses was in progress.
He did not see any fists brandished
in his face, but "he spoke out pretty
loud to me-" declared Messenger.
"They told me they would just as
soon get me for perjury as anybody"
testified the witness. He said he
had no hesitancy about testifying for
either side. There was no cross ex-
animation. and recess was taken to
aio1