Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-04-20
AFTERNOON.


We passed along up as far as the Drug Store
when some one came out Of tho Shoe Store and
called us back. I said "let us 90 back, and we
all turned back and passed down to few steps
below, almost opposite where they were standing.
Three persons were then standing oil the steps and
one inside the door. Mr.. McKeen asked who
stuck his nose in the keyhole. No reply was
made He asked the same question again. l re-
piled "say it was any Of us" Mcdonnell then
said suppose it me for instance McKeen
then said 'If l thought it it was you, you id
little whelp, l would kick your face off" Nc
Donnel said he couldn't do it and told him to sail
IN, calling him "son of a bitch" Mckeen
was then standing on the step outside, and Nc
Donnell was the edge of the sidewalk. Nc
Keen then stepped of from the step saying what
is that you call me2' and struck Mcdonnell on
the side Of the head with his hand. Mcdonnell
was then facing northwest towards them, with
his hands in his pockets. After McKeen struck
Mcdonnell which staggered him little he grabbed
hold Of Mcdonnell, clinching him with his right
arm aroudd his body. They scuffed some time
then fell. Did not see Mcdonnell have hold of
Mckeen. While they were scufling l stepped up
intending TO part them, when some one interfered
and told me to stand back. Just after that they
fell and McKeen said, take him off there's a
knife in my throat Just before McKeen made
that exclamation, Mcdonnell said '1et me 60"
Some then stepped up and took hold of Nc
Donnell who wos trying to get up, and pulled
him away. Then Mcdonnell and Kelly started,
and walked pretty fast down street.
stood there a minute, saw Mckeen attempt to
get up, and fall down again, then I followed the
others Mcdonnell and McKeen fell with Nc
Donnell's head partly under McKeen, McKeen
upon his left side or shoulder, Mcdonnell his
right side, rather more on his back than his side.
Mcheen fell on the front steps, and I think his
shoulder struck the threshold. I stood a lit
tie south Of Mcdonnell during the soufie, three
or four feet off. was acquainted with McKeen
and with Wight by sight didn't know their
names. Logan | had never seen TO my knowledge.
Mr. Bliss l knew by name, but had never spoken
to him. | did not know at the time who it was
that called US back, or who stood there, Nothing
was said by Mcdonnell before we went there with
reference to having an affray with any | was
witness before the coroner's jury Mcdonnell
had no acquaintance with any of these persons
that knew of.
Cross Eramired.-I have spent several months
with Mcdonnell in jail with him since May last
had been his associate for year before that
We were both put in Jail at the same time. Kelly
was also associated with us in Jail. 1t was day
and almost half, after put III Jail before
we were taken out to 90 before the coroners jury
was examined pretty fully before the coroners
Jury. then answered all the questions put me
as near as / could-was examined by Mr. Hard
and Mr.. Chittenden, who believed had been en-
poyed to appear for l knew that Mcdonnell
Kelly and myself were accused of the murder of
Mcheen did not know we were 10 De trle0 loT IT,
| believe then testified as have testified now,
in all respects. 1t is from what remember that
am able to say | testified then as do now-that
is all the means have of judging on that point
testify as l remember now, and suppose | so tes
tilted then. Have had a very little conversation
with Messrs. Roberts and Chittenden, concerning
my testimony in this case but not with other per-
sons. By very little l mean had not much to
say; can't say how long conversed with them |
not more than ten minutes at time; have |
talked with them twice or three times; twice at |
their offce-once last Saturday, and once this
morning, about half past s; not there more
than half an hour. Messrs. Chittenden and Rob- |
erts and Kelly were there. there alone last |
Saturday. Mr. Chittenden yesterday requested |
Kelly aud me to go there this morning, |
before Court commenced. Don't know as Mr.. |
Chittenden had the minutes of testimony before |
the Coronor's Jury. Mr. Roberts had a blank |
book of some kind. I did not read |
any minutes of testimony, did they |
read 10 me then | have read in the Free
Press the testimony before the coroners jury. No |
one has stated to me what my testimony was |
before the coroner. This morning / stated what |
my testimony was, while they looked in the book,
they said it was about the same. Kelly was there
because they wanted to know what he knew about
the case. Kelly told over what he knew about it,
don't remember as they said his statement agreed
with the minutes. Have not talked with any one
about the testimony OF Wight, Logan Bliss
Have had no correspondence with McDonneli
since my discharge from Jail. l received letter
from Mr.. William Mcdonnell, telling me when
the trial was to come off. l heard the testimony
of Wight, Logan and Bliss the former trial,
did not state shortly after the trial that those
young men statei the facts they were in there
evidence.
Don't know Mr.. Whitcomb, Bates, Glass and
Beach, and never stated any such thing to them
as | remember.
First met Mcdonnell at Scott's bindery about
six o'clock, was with him half an hour. He went |
with me as faf as | live | stayed at home half
an hour. Mcdonnell and l then came down to
the Postofice. We then walked around the square
twice for a walk, then part way up Church ST.,
then met Kelly near Peterson's -four store, went
into Petersons saloon, all drank ale or lager beer
there twice, that about eight o'clock; we came
out of Peterson's aud went up to Faiths. stayed |
at Faiths l believe, all the evening. Think we |
got to Faiths little after nine don't think 1t as
as late as ten-don't remember as stated before |
the coroner's jury that it was about ten. We |
stayed on the corner while-did not 60 to gro |
Gerry on the lower side of the square, after We left
Peterson's. Before that Mcdonnell and / went |
into Blackmsne grocery,-drAnk strong beer there.