The Portland daily press., 1867-03-04
r,hs saco Murder Trial.

printing-ofice, in Biddeford, containing the
indictment and evidence complete, with the
results The case is exceedingly interesting,
as an Illustration of the working of the law ad-
uniting the testimony of the accused. The
circumstantial evidence in this case, it is well
known, was very strongly against Edgerly and
ms companions Wilkinson and Lewis 1t
was proved that these three left Biddeford with
spear at about in the evening, on the way
across the covered bridge to Saco; that spear
was somewhat intoxicated at the time; tna'
both Wilkinson and Edgerly said, either III
jest or in earnest, Let us go down ana go
through him for his money; that
blows were heard at the Saco.end OF the bridge,
where Spear was found about half-past 9,
bruised and senseless; and that his death was
the consequence of these contuslons On this
evidence wilkinson was convicted on the 18th
ult. of murder in the second degree. At the
trial last week Edgerly was put upon the stand
We copy his evidence from the report already
mentioned: t4as H2lt0l 1H lal=
Chas A Edgerly, sworn. Age II. Did not
know Charles E. Spear. Saw man called by
that name Oct. 9th, last Saw him first on
Tacoma street. at about s 1-2 or IA 9 O'clock
There were many there. He was intoxicated,
ne ana Googlns were quarreling after he
went out. He went out. first 1 went out
arter or minutes with or four persons.
saw hlm at the corner of Laconia and Main
streets. Quarrelled again.-Wilkinson did as
before stated. Googins got away from Wilkin-
son and went down to the corner opposite
Foss street. Talked again, and Googins told
him he'd better go home. Googins went away.
Spears went to wagon. Couldn't hear what
was said. Kinnison came along-went down
efraa with m Willrincop cd
and me to go round that way with him. I
started towards Saco with Googins, Lewis and
" ilkInson. Met Spears near Emery house,
Kinison had him and was walking along with
him. Spear said if he could get any body to
go home with him. Wilkinson said he was
going; Kinison asked him to take man-Wil-
klnson said he would. He took hold of his
arm and Lewis took hold of his other. A lit
tie past store wanted to cross road and get
something to drink; Wilkinson said no, had
money and give Police Officer till morning SO
he could not drink. Lewis said did not have
money because did not pay for drink. He
reeled up against the fence and took hold of
his arm. About midway of bridge, he wanted to
fght,-and would not go, so Wilkinson took
along, He fell back against the railing and
his hat went over into the water. Wilkinson
said help to get him onto the other side of the
bridge. Lewis dragged him to the last lamp
posi- anu uncu leJ nlul alOue ana w 1lklQS0n
dragged him the rest Ofthe way alone. Wilkin-
son was going to leave him at the end of bridge.
He attempted to get up and fell down.. Viii
kinson said too bad to leave him there, let's get
him across the road. Some distance from the
bridge 10 or IL feet, we dragged him. I was
front OF, him. He fell down twice, when
went to pick him up he kicked at me. Will
kinson asked why / didn't kick him
back. 1 said he has used me well
and will use him WELL He fell
a second time on to the curbstone
He laid on the curb-stone as he fell He was
standing In the gutter. Pretty dark that night
Could not see that he had hurt himself much
by wounds OF bruises Wilkinson asked me
and Lewis to carry him across the road.
him onto the grass. Wilkinson said it was as
far as he promised to take him. Wilkinson
said we'll take him over there to let him sober
of. There was wide piece of ground there
between the fence and road. Wilkinson want
ed me to 90 back; told him would not did
not offer any violence to the man that evening.
Did not kick or strike him. Wilkinson walk
ed ahead of us as we went over dragging Spear.
Don't remember anything about Wilkinson s
saying Lets 60 through him." &c. Don't re-
member I said anything to Joseph Young
about that. Hear such expressions as "go
through" &c. often. Fell in with Lewis oppo-
site the gate. Wilkinson come up after I'd
gone few steps. We went up to the Express
office and separated. Lewis and went home.
Live on Elm Street Lewis lived on Bradbury
Street In going home Lewis would go past
my home Reached home at 8 IL. Did not
see Spears have any money that night. Did
not see Spears to know him before that night.
Did not search him to see if he had money.
Heard be was dead about IL Sunday NJ
Learned it from Mr.. Kinnison and Durgin
They came to my house. Durgin asked where
I was Saturday night? If I'd been to the
Covered Bridge? L answered yes. If I'd
seen a drunken man there? 4 said I did
Wilkinson and Lewis. foEG a him NTH Replied
ed get the man over to Saco. Told him left
the man on the other (Saco) side of the bridge
went away with him. l had been to meeting
(Mr. Tenney's) before Mr.. Durgin came. Had
been acquainted with Wilkinson two or three
months before this. Met him first, think, at
Crystal Arcade with Frank Hendri, Googin
and Lewis, I think-not certain. / stood in
the gutter the second time he fell down.
was in the gutter. That was the time under
took to help him up. The first time was on
the sidewalk two or three feet from Spears
There were women who passed us just as we
were coming through the bridgemjust as we
Lewis had got hold Of his arms. Spears weigh
ed about $50 or 100 pounds One hold of his
wrist, the other OF his elbow, just above each
A boy passed when near the curb stone, I
think. Spears asked for his hat two or three
IS LILIES Willie we vert kOluS UuIOuRu Tile DrlOQG,
Remember of passing a man between Jelle-
sons store and bridge, Oct. 9Th, evening. VIII
kinson and had hold OF Spears at that time.
Spears broke away from me and said he want
ed to get hold Of this man. When I let go he
staggered up against the fence. Wilkinson
had hold of the outside. Passed him just thi
side of store, think. I did not speak of GO
ing through Spears for his money. Wilkinson
said SO in fun, little after we left Kinison-
Have heard the expression "go through" &C.,
2 or IL years, I think.
Cross Ex,N. I did not drink in Wilde's
shoD that evening-neither Wilkinson nor
Lewis drank when was there. Spears drank
once-did not see him pay. On corner of
street Hendri, Wilkinson, Spears and Googins.
Spears and Googins walked down street; 10
utes, think. Spears went up to man in the
wagon. Hendri lived on Smith street. Young
lived on Sumner street; Lewis on Bradbury
st. The nearest way home was by the Bidde-
ford House. went round with Wilkinson Tor
a walk. Wilkinson asked us to go. Young,
Lewis Wilkinson and l went along together
Just before reaching the Emery house met
Kinison and Spears. Wilkinson said, I'D like
to 60 through him." in sportiye manner. I
Lewis took hold first; down by Jelison's store
I took hold. Spears wanted to go across the
street AMI drink. I let go and Spears pitched
into the street. l then took hold of
him and went to the middle of the
oriuge. HKsns9n dragged MN alone
Lewis and went ahead. He fell over into the
drain. Wilkinson called me oack to help him |
up. When went back Spears kicked at me- |
Wilkinson asked why didn't kick back. Told |
him he'd used me well and I'd use him WE'LL |
The second time he fell his head struck the |
curb-stone. When Rowe passed Spears had |
fallen first time. Wilkinson and dragged him |
across the road to sober off. Spears did not |
speak when we carried him over. Wilkinson |
wanted to go back and carry him further out |
oft he road so wagons would not go over him.
got half across the street. Wilkinson said "let |
him lay there and sober off," We then went up |
the opposite hill to the Express Office. Viii |
kinson said he must go home. He left and we |
went home. Gave NO notice because 1 thought |
The man was drunk, would sober off and go
home. Thought no mole about the matter at
,he time. 80 ,,-, ~.1.,.--- cd. sfe.-fc ~
+. u. Edgerly, sworn Charles is my son.
was at home Oct. 9th, in the evening. Chas.
'ime home about IA or 20 minutes past nine
'clock. Know it was before 10. Next day
orenoon went to Mr.. Tenney's meeting. He
vent with me. Mr.. Durgin called first after
We got home from meeting-past -. a
The case was not argued to the Jury. After
he evidence had been taken out, on the sug-
estion of the Court, the County Attorney en-
cred mol. pros. as to the charge of murder or
Their felony, and the defendant plead guilty to
ssault and battery, without felonious intent
Sentence is reserved in this case as well as
ai1 $685. sfaG- .Atf@
SURPRISE PARTY.-Bev. A. W. Pottle, of
ne Methodist Church in Saccarappa, was
aAen entirely by surprise on Friday evening
asst. Perhaps it should, the rather, be said that
himself and wife were oraatlu c,,rnr;cod to 6nd |