The Republican journal., 1873-06-19

traying itself. The face was as expressionless
as one of stone, and if deep down in the heart
the secrets of that terrible night were hidden,
they were securely guarded. The procession
OF officials, the prisoner and spectators then
moved to the lawn in front of the house. and
the examination began. Co. Attorney Fogler
said to the prisoner that the answers he should
give might be used against him in future, and
that he was not bound to say anything that
might criminate himself. He was then sworn.
and testified as folloEs-
Am % years DID, worked this summer here
since first Monday after May first; worked that
week; then changed work with Guy Edwards;
on return worked until Thursday and stopped
commenced work last Feb. :; brother went on
visit and father asked me to get up wood; no
agreement about work; after left off work in
May, father said he had hired Amon this year.
and wanted me to get chance to work out
worked few days for James RI. Gates; went
back with Edwards Friday, and helped get in
wheat; worked for Gates about seven DAYS
then came home; stayed at home until Satur-
day; then went to Bangor to my uncle's house,
Elijah Gordon; returned following Monday
night; stopped till Tuesday afternoon; then
went to Jackson, to Mrs. N. NJ. Edwards;
stopped till Thursday night; from there to
Newall Hardings in Unity; stopped there till
Saturday afternoon; did no work there; came
home Saturday and stayed till Sunday after
noon; went back TO Mrs. Edwards; STAYED till
Tuesday afternoon then came home; stayed
until to-day; during spring, since father hired
Almon, have been on good terms with Almon;
was not at home all day yesterday; been no
settlement between me and father: my brother
went away saying he would not carry on farn
father SAID he wanted me to take it if Almon
did not take farm; | said | had rather work
with Almon my brother was away two weeks:
do not know of writings between father and
Amon father told me to give notice at Belfast
bank that he should want TO draw his money
got home near sunset last night; all the family
here; Eden Ward was here. all the family
here till bed time; did not eat supper with
them; had it IN my room; my father and
mother kept house separately; Sunday morn
ing ate breakfast with Almon, the only meal
since father and mother went away was not
here at other meal times last night came home,
got milk from Mrs Gordon, and ate Il with
bread; last night went to bed from 9 to 10;
Ward and children had gone to bed the family
We're in cook room; heard Ward 90 to bed be-
fore did, was i'll front room; used no light;
sat by table till went to bed; sat there fifteen
or twenty minutes; was there when Ward
went to bed, and when Anna and little boy
went; at supper there was day light enough to
go for it without light; did not see Almon to
speak with him after came home; did in the
afternoon, about bees Peter Bohn was present;
hour after going to bed; slept all night; heard
Anna speak to me saying 'Johnny"; found
room full of smoke; put on pants and vest;
Anna said 'house is on fire.; went to Wards
room; found he was gone; then came down
stairs, Juggling Eddy down; told Anna to fol-
low; next went through sitting room and into
the kitchen far as could go for smoke; left
children on door step; came out of house and
raised alarm; did not see Ward; first saw him
when taking things out; after gave alarm went
back and tried to get into Almon's room; got
little more than six feet into room second time
next raised alarm again and started towards
Harmon's for help; was hallooing all the time
TO give alarm; met two or three persons in the
road and came with them; can't remember what
| said; went to bringing out things; did not 90
near Almon'S room afterwards don't know who
brought my trunk out; it was in front entry;
said to the men who asked about Almon's fam
ily that did not know where they We're; made
no efforts before and none afterwards, to
get Almon and family, because others went to
getting out things, and so did, don't know of
any other reason; first saw his remains lying
on ground and helped bring out the other;
can't say who was helping in it; next went to
pump after water; helped to put cut fire, by
carrying to bed room window; can't say who
was there; can't say who helped; can't say
what | ugged water in at first; afterwards in
pail; part | threw in; can't say now many
times l went; recognized j. n. Harmon
two sons; don't know whether they spoke,
except one asked 'Where is Almon?' Can't
say who; was not out of room till Anna
spoke to me; heard nothing down stairs, till
about time Anna spoke, thought | heard a
sound don't know whether Almon had money
at Bumps saturday night Almon took roll Of
bills out. and wanted small bills for Il five
Allnon paid me :; small sum, S3.4o on Saturday
night | have now thirty or forty dollars that
he had previously paid me, on a note running
to him from Sturgis Il Bagley; it was for prop
erty we Jointly owned; first discovered or knew
of murders by hearing women talking OF il !;
can't say whether before or after daylight:
asked them what they meant; can name but
QUE, Mrs. BeSsey; first saw the child still living
i'll front room; can't say whether before or after
the talk overheard; felt 50 badly | couldn't
ask; don't know how blood came OH him; can't
say what | thought; thought how he must
suffer, and pitied him; have not yet made in
quiries about family; taken in custody about
sunrise; had not made examination of bodies,
more than passing look; did not 90 to see
whether they were living or Cead, but asked; ;
can't say who asked, whether mau or woman ;
asked Mr.. Rand il he could save Almon, after
he was brought out, be said No; saw baby after
it was taken out; did not examine it; gave a
passing glance, and turned right about; made
no examination to see if Almon was living or
dead, nor asked at first how badly hurt; asked
Edward Philbrlck to tell me all about W hat had
happened the ladies ! asked gave me no an
sWer; | supposed they were only burned; when
came back with assistance thought house was
all atire, supposed only had time to get few
articles out; first time tried to get into bedroom
OF Almon, went within ten feet of door; can't
say whether door was shut; did not 1T first go
to window; helped bring out one body; can't
say which, had about 500 in my trunk in 4
diary; wore these pants, and boots and vest
that man took who went to Belfast for coroner !;
vest was here produced, which the prisoner
q NaminpI
dark stains like blood.
The testimony Of Gordon was not given
in y frank manner. In answering ques-
tions, he would often pause a long time
before replying, as if studying the case.
he would relate rambling
stories that had no connection with the
subject. The worst feature was his failure
to account for his strange conduct in not
trying to rescue the family, nor going
near the bodies, nor seeking any informa-
ton. When asked why he did some
things and failed to do others, all imply
ing guilt, he simply SAID 81 cannot tell"
At the conclusion of the prisoners testi-
mony, it was announced that the inquest
would be adjourned one week. for the
County Attorney to make investigations,
and that in the meantime the prisoner
would remain in custody of the sheriff.
The prisoner was brought in irons to Bel
fast that night. and locked up in the Jail
Almon Gordon, the murdered man, was
greatly respected by all who knew him,
He was but "A years of age, and his wife
%. She was the daughter of Stephen
Rand, and woman of excellent qualities
and uncommon personal beauty.
The evaporation against John T. Cor
don has increased in intensity with each
day. and it would not now lie safe to have
him taken to the vicinity Of the murder.
The friends and relatives of the wife, in
particular, are terribly excited.
LATER.
Since the foregoing has been put in
type, important additional evidence has
come to light The little boy of six years
who was struck upon the head, has so far