The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-09
Supreme Judicial Court.


Trial for Attempt 10 Poison.
MoxDAY.-State VS.. Margaret Wallace,
for attempt to poison.
The testimony Of Mr.. Wentworth was fin-
ished.
Sargent P. Coe testified that sometime in
January last Mrs. Bosworth brought piece of
tissue paper to the store OF H. III. Hay & Co.,
which contained arsenic. 1t was not the kind
of paper druggists use for wrapping up such
articles.
Mrs. Morrill, testified that she left Mr. Bos-
worth's house about half past six o'clock that
evening, to attend the lecture. On her return,
at Mrs. Bosworth's request, she went down
into the kitchen and examined the kettle and
sink. Her testimony corroborated that of
Mrs. B., in relation to finding the powder in
the kettle and around the pump.
Mrs. Bosworth was recalled and testified
that she went to see neice of Capt. Baine,
where Margaret had formerly lived, and told
her that Margaret had lost many things since
she resided in her Mrs. B.s) family. The
neice said Margaret was dishonest when she
lived with Capt. Baine
THE DEFENSE.
Mr.. Williams opened the case for the pris-
oner. He did not deny that arsenic had been
placed in the tea kettTe-it was conclusively
evident that such was the fact. But he con-
tended, notwithstanding the strong circum-
stances which, in the evidence for the prose-
cution, pointed to Margaret as the one who
rlaaod thora hal n MIA tbar Inv
some other person. There was opportunity
for it according to the testimony of the gov
eminent witnesses. He should endeavor to
show by competent testimony that Margaret
was not in the house after Z o'clock that even
ing. The most important witness for the de-
tense, Mr.. Sabine, who was with Margaret
from half past o'clock that evening" until
she went home, was in the army and it was
impossible to obtain his evidence. He COM
mented strongly upon the idea of adjudging a
person guilty upon crcumstantial evidence,
and quoted cases in which persons had been
wrongly accused upon circumstances.
Capt Baine and his wife and Rev. E. w.
jackson and wife, testified that Margaret had
lived with them. They gave her an excellent
character.
Mr.. L. Mari testified that Margaret had
been employed in the laundry. Found her
capable and honest. There was an opportu-
nifty for pifering there if the employees were
SO disposed.
Charles p Rolf testified that on the even
ing of January 18th, be was with friend of
his named Sabine, who told him he was ex-
pecting his woman TO go to a concert with
him. He (Sabine) said he had called at the
house but they told him she had been gone
about five minutes. Sabine then said, here
she comes. This was near the corner of Tenn
pie street. Looked at Dunyon's Illuminated
clock aud saw that it was 25 minutes past
o'clock. Observed the female closely, as he
wanted to see what kind Of a woman Sabine
had.
The next week he was called upon to go to
the jail to see if he could identity the girl who
was with Sabine. Went there and immedi-
ately pointed out Margaret as the one Rec
ognized her also in court. Did not know
where Sabine was now.
Mr.. Williams then placed Margaret Wallace,
the prisoner, on the stand, which, according
to the statute passed at the last session Of the
Legislature, he had The right to do. The Jury
TO take her evidence for what they consider it
worth. She gave her testimony in very calm
and cool manner, and did not appear at all
excited during the cross examination. The
following is her testimony;
My native place is Nova Scotia Have hir-
ed out about eight years, three of which were
in Gorham, the rest in Portland. Resided in
Gorham with Rev. Mr.. Jackson, Mrs. Hall
and Deacon Irish. Came to Portland and
vU0rEad Mr. Mari in tha xrL; io q.
was here, and short time at Saccarappa.-
Then went To work at MIR. Williams, then at
Capt. Bane's. Then went home. Returned
TO Portland and went to Mr. Bosworth's.-
Went there the first OF October and left in
January.
On the evening of the 18th of January, the
family had tea earlier than usual on account
OF the Mercantile Library lecture. After
SOME conversation about the towels, Mrs. Bos-
worth charged her with stealing some of the
cotton cloth. Witness denied 1t, and said she
had purchased the cloth at the eastward
Mrs. b. said 1t was similar to hers, and she
wished the witness to leave the house.
After eating her supper witness proceeded
TO set the table for morning. Miss Brown
came in before the table was cleared, and sat
down and partook of supper. Afterward she
came down stairs and got some water.
1t was about Is minutes before when got
through with my work. Then went up stairs
found my clothing taken from my trunks
and laying on the outside. Put my things
back into my trunks and then went down stairs
and went out the front door, unlocking the
door aud leaving the key in the lock. My
lamp left on table in the hail.
Never bought or used arsenic Mrs. B. had
complained OF persons coming to the house
to see me.
When l went out of the house went TO
High street. just as got to the corner the
clock struck seven. Went up High and down
Congress streets; stopped at Wiswell's and
purchased some apples; then went down
Middle street and met Sabine, near Temple
street, and went to the post Office with him
walked around with him and went to a saloon
aud got some oysters.
Had got place at Mr.. Jordan's at Cape
Elizabeth, and went to Mr.. Bosworth's for my
trunks the next Saturday. Was arrested Sun
day-the officer who arrested me said there
was some trouble about my trunks. He did
not tell me what was arrested for.
On cross examination, witness testified that
In addition to the places named where she had
lived, she had lived at Mr.. Morse's and at Mr.
Stillings'. When at the eastward, was at Hal
flax, CORVALLIS, Eastport, Calais, st. John and
some other places. Returned here on Tues
day and went TO Mrs. Bosworth's the next
Monday.
After walking around and getting the oys-
tiers on the evening Of Jan. 18th, went to Mrs
Piper's No. 43 Sumner street, and remained
there until Saturday. Became acquainted
with Mrs. Piper when / worked in the laun-
dry; she lived in the next house. Never
heard anything about Mrs. Pipers being i'm
prisoned until was put in Jail. Visited Mrs.
Pper's while | resided at Mrs. Bosworth's.-
Sabine went as far as the door with me that
night, but did not go in. Told Sabine l had
been discharged; told him that night. Mrs.
Bos.orth said she had rather l would leave
that night Mrs. Bosworth was in the kitchen
when left the house. Helen Brown came in
before Mrs. Morrill, left. Wore my boots when
went out that night; had wore them all day
had but one pair. When Helen Brown came
Mrs Bosworth was talking to me about steal
ing; the conversation continued for five min
utes after Helen came. When Mrs Morrill,