The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-11-13
BY TELEGRAPH.
MATTERS IN MAINE.
The Gordon Murder Trial.
THIRD DAY,
Continuation of the Governments
Testimony.
THIRD DAY,

BELFAST, Nov. 1.-THE proceedings in the
Thorndke murder trial commenced this morn
ing with the Identification of the axe, which,
stained with blood, caused marked sensation
in court
The first witnesses introduced were John N.
Harmon. cousin of the prisoner, who lived
nearest the premises, and his two sons. They
were the earliest to reach the spot and assisted
in extinguishing the fire and rescuing the mu-
tilated bodies from the flames. The prisoner
was first met in the road and afterwards went
to the house, where he pumped water and re-
moved furniture. To an inquiry about his broth
er and family, he replied that they were all
burning up He did not aid in removing the
bodies 1t was not until after they had been
brought into the yard that foul play was sus-
pected, when Asbury Harmon one of the wit
nesses, exhibited the axe in the presence of the
prisoner, who said, what will my poor mother
do?'
One of the witnesses testified, that in con-
versation with the prisoner fortnight before
the murder, about his leaving the farm, the lat
ter remarked that matters with his father were
all satisfactorily arranged. hut that perhaps all
their plans would not yet succeed.
Elihu c. Bumps, neighbor, saw the prison.
er directly after the murder was discovered, and
noticed blood upon his wrist and upon his vest.
The vest will be exhibited to the jury.
Rosana Gordon. little girl nine years old,
testified that she lived in the house with her
grandmother and was awakened by the prison.
er, who occupied a room between hers and the
entry. and told her to get up and go to the
neighbours Passing down stairs she perceived
smoke, and opening the bedroom door where
| the tragedy took place, heard voice like her
aunt Emmas say, "Oh, dearp' She saw the
bed 10 flames. The prisoner had previously
looked into the bedroom but made no remark.
She then went directly to Mr.. Harmon's, who
lived near
Samuel M Bumps, who was early on the
spot, notified the prisoner washing his hands in
water which afterwards was found tinged with
blood.
Mrs. Bumps swore that before the murder
became known the prisoner in answer to an
inquiry as to where Emma and Almon were,
replied that they were being burned up, but
that he did not know how the fire occurred for
he was not at home and did not know where he
was. ---
Edward Shlback, keeper of the prisoner
the day of his arrest, testified that when it was
stated that the victims had been killed by vio-
fence and not by fire, the prisoner fell forward
upon his face, and complained that his nose
bled. Witness brought water at his request,
but saw no blood. The prisoner being asked
why he did not extinguish the fire. and save his
own brother, replied that he could NOT, and add
ed, II shall answer no more questions" Last
spring be heard the prisoner say that bis broth
er was a id whelp; that he had better be
careful; that he would remember him. Here
the Court adjourned until tomorrow morning,
The hall has been crowded to-day, the galleries
being filled with ladies.