The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-12-08
THE HOSWELL MURDER.
Trial Of HosweI, for the murder of Latin,
in HalloWell, in September, 1870.


in HaIlowel', in September, 1870.
On Tuesday forenoon the jury visited Hal
lowell to inspect the scene of the murder,
returning at 1910 The counsel on both
sides were allowed to accompany the Jury
after being cautioned by the Court against
commenting upon objects brought to the no.
tice of the jury
The case was opened by w P Whitehouse
Esq, County Attorney, who, after setting
forth the different degrees of murder and the
distinction between them, stated at consider
able length the facts of the case as under
stood by the counsel for the State. From his
statement it appears that Mr.. Latin, the de-
ceased was about A years old, and had re-
sided in Hallowell over twenty years. His
family consisted of a wife and three little
boys. He was u barber by trade, but occu-
pied his spare time in repairing furniture. He
occupied shop fronting on Water street,
but usually entered and left by the back door
In April last the prisone. and his wife
moved to Hallowell, and rented two rooms in
the building adjoining Mr. Lahin's shop.
The prisoner was then and continued till the
time of the murder to be engaged by the P
& X. r. +. at Augusta In July last the
prisoner become jealous of his wife, and in
fit Of rage. tore up and burned the most val
liable Of her clothing, sold all his furniture
in the rooms occupied by them, abandoned
his wife and obtained boarding place for
himself in Augusta. Shortly after he ac-
knowledged to his wife that his jealousy was
unfounded and desired to live with her again,
but no reconciliation was effected. On the
18th of September Mrs Hoswel went to
visit some relations at Carmel, and returned
on the 10th The prisoner met her at the
depot at Augusta on her return, and greeted
her with profane language for her long alb
sence, and told her he should come down and
see her that night. His wife told him she
was tired and should retire early and prefer
red he should not come till the next night.
During their residence at Hallowell the
prisoner and his wife had become acquainted
with Mr.. Latin, and he had been in the habit
of running in to their rooms when IN want
OF hot water or fire in his business.
! When Mrs. Hoswcll went to Carme! she
left the key to her rooms with the deceased.
On her return from Carmel she sent her little
boy to the deceased for the key, and when
the deceased passed her window on his way
to dinner she asked him if he would assist
her in moving her sewing machine from the
| room of Mrs. Patterson. directly over her
own Mr.. Laf1n promised to do SO that af-
ternoon OF evening, but being very busy he
neglected to do 50. About five minutes past
nine in the evening, Mr.. Latin left his shop
taking with him a roll of carpetng which he
had purchased that day, and was to put down
IN the front hall of his house that evening
AS he passed Mrs. Hoswell's he called TO
apologize for not keeping his PROMISE and
while there showed her the new carpet which
he had purchased that day. Mrs HIoswell
was preparing to retire and was standing in
her night dress. Hearing the tap at her door
she threw on her loose wrapper She mad worn
| during the day. and went TO the door. Upon
Mr.. Latin asking her to look at his carpet,
she asked him to step in. He did 50, and by
the light a kerosene lamp partially turned
down she examined the carpet. He remain
ed there from three to five minutes, Mrs.
Hoswel standing with her hand upon the
latch ready to let him out.
In the mean time the prisoner had arrived
at Hallowell, armed with 4 revolver and q
newly sharpened pocket knife. When Latin
emerged from Mrs Hoswel's door with his
carpet under his arm, the prisoner in his shirt
sleeves was standing in his stocking feet
within . few feet of the door, his shoes and
coat being rolled into bundle and placed
near the door
As the deceased came out of the door the
prisoner sprang upon him with his knife and
dealt him furious a blow IN the breast us t.
penetrate the breast bone. He then rushed
into the room and commenced murderous
assault upon his wife, stabbing and gashing
her in trightful manner After q struggle
of sonlo five minutes she succeeded in throw
ing herself out of the wrapper and escaping
into the next room, hasping the door.
the prisoner then turned to complete the
murder Of Latin, who had just reached his
own door carrying his carpet, and gave hin
that ghastly wound in the neck which cause(
his death in about five minutes. Upon being
arrested the prisoner said, Damn him. I have
been watching him for some time and now
I've fixed him. Ive got the son-of-a -
where | want him." When told to look upol
his helish work he said, ''What would yol
do if you caught a man in bed with you
wife" During the argument Mrs IIoswel
was in Court. though closely veiled, Mr..
Whitehouse closed at noon, and the Cour
adjourned till II ?. NJ.
AFTERNOON.
James +. Knight, an assistant employe,
by Mr. Latin, testified to discovering the
prisoner about Is minutes past nine on tn
evening of the murder with his knife in hand
in an encounter with Latin in the back room
of the shop.
T. o. I. Orcutt, who was called into tn
shop by the cry Of murder, and Ehen
Allen VINO followed MN, ana Foliceman w
} S. Kendall, who arrested Hoswel. Were
called and testified to the condition Of Latlin
Hoswelrs declarations and arrest and spot
of blood in the yard and shop. They were
cross examined by Mr. Libby, but nothing
new was elected.
Albert II. Davis, a dry goods clerk, iden
titled tho carpet referred to in Mr.. White
houses argument as one sold by him tC
Latin on the day of the murder.
Adjourned till - Wednesday A. NJ.
WEDNESDAY A. NJ.
Mrs. Latin, widow of the deceased will
her three sons, aged II, II and years re
spectvely, was seated within the bar. The
wife OF the prisoner was also present, accom-
panied by her son, about Y years old, whose
father was q Mr. Smith, former husband o
Mrs. Hoswell.
DR.. j. q. A. Hawes testified to the charac
ter of Laln's wounds and the cause Of hi,
death. The wound in tho neck had the ap
pearance of having been made with q great
deal of force The jugular vein and wind
pipe were punctured. On the cross 1examina-
ton Mr. Libby tried to draw out that there
was blood on the inside of Mrs HoswelHs
door. but witness could not tell Door was
swung back and witness did not think to
look Mrs. Hoswells principal wound was
/ Ham, t,.,,. tNSNt a. l,ttk