Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-15
Asserts Not Guilty
Of Crime of Arson
Petitions for Pardon

Alleging that he was not guilty of
arson of which he was convicted and
that his conviction was tie result of
circumstantial evidence, Joseph Ellis.
formerly of Dexter, filed on Saturday
a petition for pardon at the office of
the secretary of State. Ellis is sery-
Ing a sentence of from FIVE to 10
years at hard labor in Ste te's prison,
having been committed to the insti-
tuition October 81, 1928.
With the plea filed by Ellis. there
Is petition signed by 81 citizens of
the town of Dexter asking that the
Governor and Council give careful
attention to the case to the end that
a pardon may be granted
Ellis contentious are set forth in
the petition as follows:
respectfully represents Joseph
Ellis, formerly of Dexter, in Penob-
scot county, that for some time prior
TO the year 1928 he had owned a farm
place with buildings thereon in the
town of Cambridge in Somerset
county; that early in the summer of
1923 he sold lis real estate to one
Holt to whom he gave a warranty
deed and transferred the policy of
insurance on the buildings situated
on this property. At the time of the
sale he had considerable crop of
nay in his barn and this was reserv-
ed from the operation of the deed
as were his household furniture and
equipment in the house. BY agree
ment with the aforesaid Holt the
SAID Joseph Ellis was to have a rea-
sonable time in which to remove his
personal property from the premis-
es. The insurance which he carried
upon his personal property he in
structed the agent, w. IS. Gould of
Dexter, to have cancelled and made
an unsuccessful attempt to deliver
the insurance policy to Mr.. Gould.
who was away at the time he called
IN Dexter to see him. 1t was Ellis
intention later to place new policy
or insurance on this personal prop
erty after he had moved it to an
other place.
About eight days after he had
told the insurance agent, Mr.. Gould
that he wanted the policy cancelled
Ellis went over to his farm property
recently sold to Holt-for the pur
pose of getting one of his horses
which was out in the pasture. 1t was
dark and he was unable to corral the
horse, and hence it being late ar
night and he having a kew to the
house under his agreement with
Holt, said Ellis went into the farm
mouse intending to pass the night
there.
He went downstairs and had sew
eral drinks of some liquor which was
on the premises; about this time he
lighted his pipe and going upstairs
lay down on Vie couch, Intending to
pass the night.
IN the middle of the night he was
suddenly awakened to find the house
ana buildings in flames and being
partly suffocated by smoke and more
or less bewildered, he barely made
MS way out of the burning buildings
with only the clothes on his back
SAID Ellis had previously had
trouble with his neighbors; he had
TWO cows In his pasture poisoned and
one OF his horses shot These neonle
pearing MIN Ill will immediately
s .: the story that Ellis had fired
his buildings.
Ellis was arrested and committed
TO the Skowhegan Jail; he was in
olcted on the Srd day of October 1893
anu Drought to trial; his counsel for
reasons unknown to Ellis failed to
pace ms pest witness upon the stand
IN ms behalf, telling him that he was
tesefVing the witness for a hearing
oslore the law court on appeal. If the
'iiaI Jury should convict him.
Ellis was convicted of the crime
OF wlifully and maliciously setting
nre to a private dwelling. althoug6
ne mad no motive in setting such fire.
having sold the real estate and bui1d,
!hgs ana having previously cancelled
.ne insurance On his personal prom
cry on the premises. SO that his own
loss on MS personal property destroy
ca Dy hre was in excess of $1,000
he claims to be the victim of cir
evidence and sentenced
70 serve from five to 10 years at hard |
iapor IN the State prison at Thorn
aston although exceptions were tax.
en- 10 various rulings at the trial in
oraer to bring the case later before
), a ne law court; these were later win
araWn by Ellis counsel without COW
sui.lng him and he was taken into |
n nuis and committed to the STATE |
PRISON aSni !, on October 81. 1928. W '"'e
ea,d Ellis has steadfast,v moi,
FAN that he is now being nunishad
70 crime which he had No motiva
- Commit and of which many promi.