The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-01-27
TRIAL OF DIR. Y. P. COOLIDGE.
For the Murder of
EDWARD MATHEWS.
T Reported expressly for the Northern fi6une

October term OF the Supreme Judial Court
of Maine, then sitting at Angus for the
County of Kennebec, by the Gnd Jury,
against Doct. Volorus p. Coolidge for the
murder of Edward Mathews at Watville, on
the Both of September, lS47, the aclsed was
arraigned before the Court, Judg Tenney
presiding, on the 18th day of Oc'ber. and
pleaded not guilty. The 25th day oGanuary.
lS4S, was assigned :or the trial.
At ten o'clock in the forenoon, te Court
met at the Court House, and for t public
accommodation, there being great n mber of
persons in attendance, adjourned to be Con-
gregational Meeting House, the largbt room
in town. Present, Chief Justice Whitman,
Judges Shepley and Wells.
Counsel for the Government, Hurry w.
Paine, Esq, of Hallowell, County Attorney
of Kennebec County, and Lot w. Morrill,,
Esq, of Augusta.
Counsel for the Prisoner, Hon. George
Evans, of Gardiner, and Edwin Noyes, Esq,
of Watervile
The Court having assembled at the meeting
house, the prisoner was brought in, under
charge of four officers. The prisoners box is
in the broad aisle, few feet from the table
assigned to the Counsel, which is at the right
of the Court, and directly in front of the Jury.
Doct. Coolidge is rather tall, slender, youth
full looking man-wears a dete, mined look,
but appears somewhat haggard and care-worn
Nothing is more striking than his aspect OF
extreme youthfulness.
An appropriate and impressive prayer was
made by Rev. Dr.. Iynwefe called, Mr.. Paine
rose and stated that the Government was not
ready to proceed. An important witness, Cy-
rus Williams of Waterville, has been duly
summoned, but is now confined in his house
by sickness, and not able to attend to-day,
perhaps not this week. Mr.. P. had despatch
ed skilful physician to examine the case of
the witness, but he had not yet returned.-
The testimony of this witness is indispensa-
Bile, and the government Counsel would not be
justified in going to trial without his presence
Mr.. P. hoped it would not be necessary to
postpone longer than till the opening of the
Court in the afternoon. To this postponement,
Mr.. Evans assented. The Chief Justice in
quired if there was reason to expect the ply
sician by afternoon. Mr.. Paine replied that
he was directed to return as soon as practical
Bile, and at all events by ten o'clock this fore
noon. He suggested that the cause of his de-
lay might be that he was bringing the witness
with him, and he hoped it was so. The Court
decided to wait short time.
The names of the traverse Jurors summoned
Goo in number were then called, and all
were found present except one.
AT this juncture, DR.. Hill of Augusta, the
physician referred to, entered the Court. At
the request of Mr.. Paine Dr. Hill was sworn
to make true answer. Doct. Hill said he saw
the witness. Williams, about two hours and a
half since. He was suffering from an acute
catarrh and affection of the lungs. He judged
it to be unsafe to the witness life that hi
should be brought to Augusta-he did moi
think man of his habit. in his present state
Of health, could be safely exposed to the cold
air or brought even in a crowded carriage
lie could not say how long it would be before
he could safely attend Court-but his attend
ing physician thought he might come in a
week, as his symptoms are now more favora-
Bile. In reply to the questions by the prison.
er's counsel, he said Mr.. w. has been unwell
about six weeks, but more so for fortnight
past. His cough has been very dry, but his
convalescence appears to have commenced
DR.. H. considered it would be dangerous for
Mr.. w. to be exposed to cold air or subjected