Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-29


shown him, but he could not re-
member where 1t was. He would not
say whether it was the police station,
on the street or in hotel.
Judge Connolley appealed to the
council. He said that the witness
was unfairly refusing to testify and
pleading that he could remember.
Governor Brewster said to the wit
ness: THE council is satisfied as to
your sincerity" and the cross exam
nation continued.
Witness did not know whether this
visit to the Blouin house was at the
time a safe there had been stolen.
City Marshal Skehan, Deputy Mar
shall Witham and officer Gipson were
with him at the time They saw the
sheriff leave the house and drive
away in his automobile. A man. who
Gipson said was Pinkham, was with
him. 1t was about midnight.
A seizure was made at the Blouin
house by federal agent Moran.
Did not know that Sheriff Cum
mings had ever had Blouin in jail?
Afternoon Session
Scott Gibson, a member of the Au-
gusta police department, was recalled
at the afternoon session. He testified
that on the night of August %. 1924.
he went to the home of Calix Blouin
with Chapman. previous Witness He
saw Sheriff Cummings and Willis A.
Pinkham, the turnkey. reach the
Blouin house in an automobile. Sheriff
Cummings went into the house and
stayed there half an hour. Blouin
came home and he thought that he
heard the rafting of empty cans in
his automobile.
The witness, continuing. testified
that on the next night he was watch
ing the Blouin residence. He saw
the car of Sheriff Cummings in the
yard and saw the sheriff enter the
house. The witness left the premises
and went after the city marshal and
the deputy marshal. Cummings re-
htined in the house for 20 minutes
and he got the number Of the car.
"Any action ever been brought
against you for the non-support of
your wife?" asked Judge Connolley.
mo
How long were you on the police
force?"
Five months
Ever been in bankruptcy?'
Yes"
How do YOU happen to get off the
police force"
Resigned"
"NVhy did you resign"
THE administration was practicing
economy"
Ever make any application for
position of deputy sheriff under Sher-
if Cummings"
''No. SIR
Was Blouin supposed to be in Jail
the night you saw him.
Nc
Was it before or after this sne
that Blouin went TO jail?'
After that time"
Witness did not know whether
Blouin served a sentence in the kenne-
bee or Cumberland county jails as
result of the seizure by federal agents.
Did not go before either the grand
jury or the court to testify in the case.
Was present at the time of the seiz-
ure.
Heard Cans Rattle
GIBSON said that the heard cans rat
tie after Blouin came into the yard
following the departure OF Sheriff
Cummings. Thought they were alcohol
cans: did not see them. Couldn't say
that there was any difference between
the rattle Of empty alcohol cans and
empty water cars.
At later visit found six empty
cans-gallon cans---in Blouins car.
This was about o'clock in the after
noon.
After Blouin came with the cans re-
NAMED about 80 or 40 minutes to see
if he filled them. Left by order of
Chapman. This was the night of Aug
ust IS.
Was at the Blouin place on the night
Of the 29th, but did not look for the
cans 1t was o'clock on the after
noon of Aug. so that they found the
, cans in the automobile. Found
Blouin's hide between garage and sta
BILE There was no one watching the
,, place between their various visits.
''Why did you not search the garage
on the night of the 2Sth or the 29th?"
asked Judge Connelley.
1--WE had no right" was the reply.
What right did you have on the
30th?"
Had a warrant"
'rWhy didn't you get a warrant on
the aSth or e9th?"
"Mr Skeehan was planning to make
the raid on Saturday afternoon.
Did YOU ever tell Blouin that you
/ hid a bag with IL bottles and that he
could take six and YOU six and you
would be satisfied"
NO, sir"
Were you drinking
NO. sir
did you ever drink"
"No. sir"
"Did you steal any OF that liquor
what was seized?'
NO"
, "Have you ever told anyone that
you hoped ] wouldn't hear about this
and ask you about it,
NO, sir"
"Be careful. Haven't YOU told some
one in Augusta that?"
NO, sir
"As far as you knew, the sheriff
may have been in the Blouin house
III enforcement of the law
Eyes, sir"
And he got no help from you?"
"1'hat's right"
"Do you know if he did make a
partial search of the premises that
night"
mo, sir"
City Marshal Skehan
City Marshal William j. Skeilan
Of Augusta, witness of yesterday,
was recalled by the State. He said
he tried to get evidence against
Blouin and that Chapman. "a Feder-
al man. and Gipson aided him. He
declared he was told that Blouin
was bringing rum to Watervile fair
and believed that the man might
catch him.
The car in which the sheriff is
alleged to have gone to the place,
August -, was at the door when
the marshal got at the house, he
said. 1t passed him on leaving the
house. He did not recognize Cum
mings as an occupant. but il was q