The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-23

bausted, and therefore he sent for another
But there were three bottles, it is said If
there WERE one was the old one-one received
from Hallowell, and one from Boston, But if
DR.. C. had had any intention to use the acid
for any such purpose as murder, would he
have told Mr.. Phillips what it was: Would
he not have told him it was cough drops, or
that it was vial of something of no conse-
quence? But all was open-so was his send
ing for the acid to Boston and to Hallowell;
thus multiplying the evidence against himself
Had he not acid enough in his office? Could
he not have obtained it unknown to any one
except some shop boy, instead of sending an
order signed with his own names
These mysterious conversations about a sub
jeet-his having these half barrels there
were all these things to prepare the minds OF
his students for his having the body there of
a man well known to all his students: Mr..
E, argued that this was incredible.
In the opening argument, we were told that
it would be found that the prisoner was an
xious to have the contents of the stomach
thrown away, and the evidences of his guilt
destroyed. But there is no such proof. The
prisoner would net acquiesce in the opinion
that the wounds on the head would produce
death, until the scalp was removed. IT he
had administered this acid, would he not have
been swift to concur in the opinion that these
wounds were sufficient? Would he have pro-
posed further examination! Who proposed
to take out the stomach-no one is found to
have proposed it-none of the physicians-not
the coroner 1t must have been the prisoner.
The witnesses do not say it was not him. 1t
is not shown that he directed them to be
thrown away. He did suggest that they be
removed; the smell was disagreeable to many
there. The coroner and the other physicians
concurred. They had done with them-they
wished them removed. There is evidence
that the next day when it was proposed to
send the contents to Brunswick, the DR.. said
it would be doubtful if any acid would remain
by the time it reached there. The books say
so; the physicians testify to the same thing.
Is this evidence of guilt? How easy would
it have been for DIR. c.. if Flint is at all to be
relied upon to say to him to follow and see
where the contents of that bowl were depos
tied, and see that they were destroyed or
when Flint was about to sow up the body to
say to him, put in some neutralizlng sub
stance, that there may be nothing hereafter
found in the body to allow detection. Here
was ready instrument who would have done
his lightest bidding. At another time, when
it was proposed to have the contents of the
been preserved. and suggested that no reliance
could be placed snch an analysis from the
lapse of time. Is not this a natural answer
Would not any medical man have said the
sames Was there any anxiety or solicitude
proveds 1t was not then too late to have the
contents destroyed.
1t is said the prisoner had a motive. He
was in debt. He had borrowed money. He
had enjoined secrecy. He did not wish his
affairs known. Do not men generally wish to
keep their affairs secret, especially borrowing
money? Is it unusnals Are all such men
ready to commit murder? Is this proof:
Men generally run through the whole cata-
logue of crimes to get money, before they are
hardened enough to commit murder. Be-
cause he borrowed money when he had no
need of it, was proud, and wished to keep his
affairs secret, is this evidence of his readiness
to commit murders? He went to Waterville
without means. He had his choice, to Dor
row money, or to drive up his customers
sharply; he choose the former. He lived lib
orally; supplied himself with large quantities
of medicine; had expensive horses. When
he borrows money he must give reason for
it he does not want to say that he chooses to
indulge his debtors ; he make some excuse;
he says he was about entering into specua-
ton he has had correspondence with DR..
Potter. But who has pressed him what has
required this amount of money! What did
he want of $l50f? What prevented his get
ting it: Mr.. Noyes has collected $500 wi,h-
out difficulty since the murder. 1t was due
from the wealthiest persons around Water
vile. Could he not have obtained $500 in
I6 honrs Was there necessity for resort
ing to murder to get it, 1t is said he had
agreed with Mathews to lend him $500. If
SO, the money was within his reach without
the murder. 1t appears from his books that
his practice the first year he was at Waterville
amounted to $1,000. 1t went on increasing,
till the last six months he charged $25O0.-
S25OO in six months is very respectable
practice. Would man SO situated commit
murder for the paltry sum of about $4,000
III ltc- L. L.