The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-11-20
BY TELEGRAPH.
MATTERS IN MAINE.
The Gordon Murder Trial.
Ninth Day.
Charge Of Judge Applesen-verhict OF
Guilty Of Murder in the Fiass Degree.


BELFAST, Nov. 19-In the Gordon case this
morning, Chief Justice Appleton charged the
jury substantially as follows:
On the 18th of June last, in the peaceful
town of Thorndike, an assassin, with stealthy
step and armed with an axe, entered the room
where Almon A. Gordon and his wife
were sleeping, and in cold blood butchered
father, mother and their innocent child, and
set fire to the house to conceal all evidence of
his appalling and brutal crime. Two weeks
before the prisoner declared that he had re-
ceived anonymous letters derogatory of his
character. which he attributed to his brothers
wife, and if satisfied that this was tine case
would take her life, On the evening before
the murder, he said to Mrs. Harding that he
had a clew to their authorship, and to another
witness that his brothers life or his own was
id short in this world: The next morning
the tragedy was committed. The prisoner has
been indicted for the murder, and it is now for
you to determine whether he is the guilty par
ty. All the testimony adduced, its weight and
the inference to be drawn, belong to your con-
sideration. THE Judge here gave the detini-
distinction between circumstantal and direct
evidenced A woman is found with her head
crushed by blunt instrument Circumstances
prove that it was not suicide. Who did the
bloody deed? Crime courts darkness. The
assassin calls no witness to see him strike the
fire. The evidence convicting the prisoner is
purely circumstantial, and unless evidence of
this nature is to be regarded with effect crime
must remain UNPUBLISHED. If satisfied beyond
a reasonable doubt, you are as much bound by
circumstantial evidence as by direct The faith
er of the prisoner had substituted the murdered
man to take the latter's place upon the farm
The prisoner was dissatisfied. Anonymous let
ters disparaging his character had incensed
him, which he attributed to the murdered wo-
m n Or friQndlU
listed between the brothers.
On the night of the 18th of june Almon and
his wife retired as usual and passed from the
sleep of life into that of death. No person ex-
suspicisds? He was on i'll terms with his
brother and wife. To different witnesses di-
rectly before the tragedy he called his brother
by opprobious terms, declared that his life was
d-d short, that he would pay Emma for
the letters and would take her life. The very
evening before he said he was satisfied that
Emma had written them. These are threats
"Ont of the abundance of the heart the mouth
speaketh." The threats were carried into eff
feet. 1t is evidence that the prisoner knew
that the family was in peril, and made no eff
fort to rescue them. He said nothing about
extinguishing the fire, but commenced clearing
the house. When the murder was discovered
he did not even go to see the bodies, as they
laid exposed to horror-stricken people. He
was found first on the spot with marks of
was on the fatal axe, showing how recently
the deed had been committed. There is an alb
sence of all motive on the part of the witnesses
to swear falsely. If they are to be believed,
whose blood was this but that of the murdered
victims of his wrate? He gives no explanation
of the circumstances; he does not even swear
that bis nose bled; he made no attempt to ex-
tinguish the fire. Was it not his desire that
the flames should spread? Why not go to the
aid of the victims, instead of saving furniture?
A candlestick known to have belonged in the
prisoners part of the house was found in the
crib The bed clothes were saturated with ker-
osene. The prisoner knew where the axe, kerr
osene and candlestick were kept, Would
stranger have known where to get the weapons
of this wholesale assassination? Do not the
circumstances show that the act was done by
some one acquainted with the premises? The
attempt of the prisoner to put the public on the
wrong scent and to avert suspicion by charging
one Green, is an important circumstance for
consideration.
Who had the motive to write the letter found
in the Jail? He did not have even the curios-
ity to ask its contents. His evasive answers at
the time OF the murder are TO be considered -
FalsehOod and evasiOns are indications of crime
His reply to inquiries as to who committed the
murder, that he did not know; that he was
away" is to be carefully weighed. His answer
to the remark that be was the suspected party,
s'that there was nothing ever done in the neigh
borhOOd which was not said to be him" was
that the indignant reply of an innocent man,
accused of bis brothers murder, The letters
were sufficient motivs for the crime. No per-
son is shown TO have ill-wil against the muir.
dered woman. The accused has not directly
denied the charge against him. BY his state
ments on the stand has he not added strength
to the differences already drawn? He says, 81
made no examination of the murdered bodies,
beyond hasty look to see if they were living or
dead" The Judge here recanitulatcd the evil
dence before the coroner's jnry.] Are not his
statements false? The blood and threats, are
they denied by him? In conclusion the judge
care, caution and tirmness. The safety of the
community by day and security by night rests
with you; and while you are to see that inno-
cence is not punished, it is also your province
to provide that crime does not escape.
At the conclusion of the charge at 10 o'clock,
the case was given to the jury.
After having been out one hour and ten min.
ute., the jury returned with verdict Of guilty
of murder in the first degree
The prisoner received the verdict without
emotion His counsel asked delay in order te
file exceptions, and the court adjourned until
afternoon. ,a- ..,... ,-. f-...,. 81
In the Gordon case the motion for new
trial has been overruled. Exceptions to the
chBrge were allowed, the arguments to be fur
nished within forty days The proceedings
are mere diatory and the prisoner will un.
doubtedly be sentenced to death at the Janua-
ry term of court EG Exkf
An Old Citizen Conc.
BRUNSWICK, Nov. 19.-Col Alfred J. Stone.
a well known citizen of Brunswick, died this
morning, aged 70 years. He was formerly a
lumber manufacturer and dealer, and did an
extensive business. He was a prominent mem
Der of the Democratic party for many years.
and held several important Offices under its ad
ministraton.
State Capitol.
Especial to Press.} .
AUGUSTA, Nov. 19.-The Governor returned
from a visit to the Reform School to-day. A
superintendent of that institution is to be ap
pointed soon. 1t is intimated that Mr. Fair
banks of Vermont will be offered the place.
Speaker Blaine left for Washington to-day.
Senator Morrill, will leave tomorrow. S.