The Republican journal., 1873-06-19

= 49, ~ - -
All the people OF the neighborhood be-
lieve that he is guilty. The evidence is
circumstantial only, but is very strong.
From his sleeping room, in which he was
confined when we saw him, door open
ed INTO the room occupied by Anna, the
nelce, OF 10 years of age, and the boy OF
Almon, aged three. The little girl, who
testified in the most intelligent man
ner, says that her uncle John aroused and
took them down at the time of the fire
| The prisoner swears that the little girl
called to and awakened him, saving her
| room was full of smoke Another door
| from the prisoners room led to that of
Ward, the hired man; this has stains of
blood upon the casing. 1t is a significant
fact that the prisoner swears that Oh. the
alarm he went to Wards room to call him.
and he was gone.
! From the scene Of horror within, the
! blood, slaughter and desolaton of that
| once happy home, so full of the evidences
! OF woman's care, thoughtfulness and love
| for those around her, we turned to the
outer air. The hillsdes green with YER
| dura stretched around, the sun shOne
brightly, the summer breeze swaved the
branches heavy with the foliage of June,
| swallows cleaved the air, front he mead
owS came up the gushing melody of the
hobolink, and the very blessings of heaven
| seemed TO reign in earth and sky. The
| spot TO a man contented in the love of
wife and children, seemed a paradise
| ANA to think that the owner OF all this,
! after the calm Of the Sabbath, while the
song OF his happy evening had scarce
died upon his lips, while his loved wife
and cherished children lay in the peace OF
| quiet rest by his sde-that tiend should
| steal to that room and do his bloody
work. Where were Gods protecting and
avenging angels that this great crime was
not stayed? Where was the pity. of
which even the worst man is said to have
a lingering spark, that it did not fame up
and fill the murderers heart with melting
tenderness toward worth and love and IN
nocpnce
Neighbors gathered about, those who
had known and respected and loved the
dead. Some talked apart in knots, dis
cussing the incidents of the great crime
Some peered cmously and awe-stricken
in at the windows where lay the black
ened remains. Others viewed the dread
| full aspect Of the bloody and charred
room In the apartment with the dead
babe group OF svmpathizing ladies OF
the neighborhood worked on shrouds for
tears at the remembrance of those SO
cruellv taken off. Many mother, as her
eyes rested on the sheet covering the dead
babe, thought with shudder of her own
darlngs at home. About the apartments
were the womanly evidences of the taste
and care of its dead mistress, ornaments,
dresses. a sewing machine, children's
toys, books. newspapers. The dead man
was a kind husband and father-he now
lying so cold and stark in his bloody
shroud, his dead wife by his side and the
dead and dying children in his ruined
home. Small wonder is there that wo
men wept, or that tears coursed down
the cheeks OF stern and stalwart men, 1t
is not strange that those who gathered in
groups, after viewing all this, locked up
they were only sure of the author of this
work, there would be little for courts OF
Justice to do.
THE INQUEST
When the coroner, attornies, sheriff and
constables had arrived and the necessary
formalities gone through with, the Inquest
proceeded, tables and chars being place.
upon the green in front of the house.
Coroner Poor, of Belfast, assisted by County
Attorney Fogler. impanelled the following
iury-Raymond s. Rich, Hiram Chase, F. F
morton. u. III. Nlcn, r.. ~. Boyle, ID. ii
Johnson Jr.
The witnesses having been sworn. the follow
ind testimony was mad.
Eden A. Ward. Am 1S years old; lived
with Amon Gordon; hired me May 10; was
here last night; went to bed quarter before 9
during evening was here with family; Almon
wife, baby and Anna present; left them ali
when went to bed he was singing: slept in
room over theirs, in going out had to go thro
John TBS room; he was in there when l went
to bed; went Immediately to sleep; heard Al.
mon singing after | went up; John T. Gordon
has been here at intervals during my STAY
came here last Thursday; heard children cry
ing in the night; il was unusual; got up to see
what was cause, because there We're two cry.
ing they screamed; heard no other noise
looked out window and smelled smoke and saw
light; dressed and went down; went through
John T. GOrdons room; spoke to him; got nc
answer; it was about half past two; went to
bbed-rOOm Of Almon and opened it; the bed
was in flames; got hold of Amon, but cOuldn''
get him out; went out door to kitchen; saw
axe near 1t; outer door was open; had always
been fastened; hallooed in the yard and started
for help; after got into road, John T. called to
me to come back; repeated it; asked what for
he said "to help; didn't come because was
afraid something was wrong, and | wanted
help; went to Harm0n's; when they heard me,
! came back; two sons of Mr.. Harmon came
and himself; met John T. within 20 rods of the
honse; he was lamenting and taking on; he
came back with me said but little except cry