Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-26

Continuing, the witness testified
that Harry A. Kirby, charged with
the murder of Miss Aida Hayward OF
Winthrop, was In the Jail at the time
that he was a prisoner. He used to
go to Kirby's cell and found cut that
Kirby had sent out a letter by q
Salvation Army lieutenant. He told
about this matter to Sheriff Cum
mings. The witness testified that
Kirby gave him a 25-page letter 70
mail to Boston newspaper, but az
ter reading the letter he gave It TO
Mrs. Cummings. the wife OF the sher-
in. st
"Kirby in this letter spoke Of the
conditions in the jail" asked Attor-
ney Fisher. -
Attorney Connolly objected, saying
that the letter ought to be produced:
1.-THE letter is the best evidence"
said Judge Connolly.
Tells Of Gambling in Jail
"was there any gambling in the
jail while you were there" asked
Attorney Fisher.
There was" replied the witness.
what kind Of gambling?"
poker.
" Did you see the games In opera
ton?
Eyes. on the bottom floor and in
my cell.
Did you participate in these
mo, I do not know how to play.
did you ever see prisoners IN
toxicated?
Eyes, that was common occur
renee.
what method was used to get
iiquor7
"Some Of the boys would chip in
and buy 1t by the can.
"How did they get it?
"They would telephone for it from
the jail Office.
"What do you mean by getting
liquor by the can. What kind OF
liquor was It?
"Aicohol. -
"Did you ever see any other kind
Of liquor there?
YES, whiskey and cherry brandy.
do you know Turnkey Barrows?
Eyes.
Did you ever see him drunk:
Eyes, once.
"Did you tell Mr.. Cummings and
Mr.. Barrows, the turnkey. that XIII
by had contemplated suicide?
II did. Kirby said that he was
being railroaded to Thomaston. Sher-
if Cummings said that no one cared
If Kirby did kill himself.
what did Kirby use In his SUD
eide?
! "a razor blade, I believe.
<"Did you ever see any women IN
the jail?
Eyes
"Did they go to the jail often?
Eyes, visiting. I have known or
blankets being put up to prevent
people looking into the cells.
Pettina Parties in Cells
'Have you seen any petting parties
inside the cells?
"Was any guard kept over Harry
Kirby? -
mo. not in the daytime. There
was one at night.
"Was the guard present when he
committed suicide?
IT think not"
Witness Cross Examined
Cross examined by Judge Connolly.
witness denied that he had stolen
cider while in Jail. and when asked
whether he liked Turnkey Barrows'
said that he did not.
ne mas Decu OAA w"
fellows, hasn't he" asked Judge
Connolly.
"WeIl, no." replied Pu1len.
"Was easy with you; let you get
away with things did he?"
"No. I can't say that he did"
Pullen said that thef reason that
the reason he lost his place as
trusty in jail was because he went
to Mr.. Cummings and told what kind
of a man Barrows was. Cummings
told Barrows about 1t.
did you ever write Mr.. Barrows
a letter." he was asked. a
II never did"
els that your writing?" asked Judge
Connolly showing him paper.
YES"
The writing was read. 1t was let
ter to Barrows apologizing for his
conduct written by the witness. In
explanation Pullen said that he wes
in solitary confinement as punish
ment and wanted to get out so wrote
the letter. He had forgotten all
about 1t until shown the letter. :
Witness said that he had called on
Mr.. ,F,arris, one of the counsel for the
defense in the past two weeks and
told him that he would like to get
out of this thing; that if he had
money enough he would get out of
town. He then admitted in answer to
questions. that in this time he had
complained to the municipal court OF
Augusta that young man named
Blouin had taken $40 from him. The
court after investigation had declined
to issue a warrant.
He denied that he had told Farris
that Corbett. the federal agent, had
threatened him If he did not testify
in this case. Did tell Farris that
Corbett had told him that IL he did
not tell the truth it would be perjury
and that would mean year in
Thomaston.
Conditions in Jail Office
Describing conditions in the Jail
eight or nine visitors could be ac-
commodated there. Frequently were
IS or 10 there on Sundays. At such
times they had to be allowed in the
jail. Had never known any woman
Of loose moral character to go in
side. Never known a woman other
than a mans wife or daughter to be
allowed inside the Jail.
Saw No Immoral Acts
Pullen said he never saw anything
to lead him to believe there were i'm
moral acts between men and women.
Among those he had seen playing
cards were Vigue, Giguere, Drake and
Kicks.
Asked where they played, Pullen
said: Elm my room on the office floor.
He said it could not be seen by the
turnkey, that the turnkey or any
bod else never came around. The
game was for cents up to %. He
didn't think gambling was permitted
b Sheriff Cummings. i
Pullen said he had seen drunk