The Portland daily press., 1874-06-05
THE CANINE h.,
Examination of Charles r.. Robbins on a
Charge Of Piracy.

AuatAOn OF CharIes - htODDhus On a
Charge Of Piracy.
Court came in at ten, yesterday. Hon. Bon
| Bradbury stated that he had an engagement
before the Circuit Court in an important case
| and requested that the examination might be
| adjourned until afternoon. Court thereupon
| adjourned till half past two in the afternoon.
The court assembled at 3 o'clock To ac-
| commodate several witnesses for the defence
who were compelled to leave town last night
their testimony was taken before that of the
remaining government witnesses.
Mrs Mary Gushing of Bath, was sworn:
Witness testified that the prisoner boarded
at her house last month. He left her house
the 22d about 12a o'clock He said he was go
ing on the l o'clock train to Portland. He
made exchanges of clothing while there. He
exchanged an overcoat with Chas. Mowry for
blue flannel shirt. He exchanged an under
coat with MIR. Fitzgerald for another, and a
pair of new boots with Mr. Mowry, for thick
pair of sea boots. When he left the house he
left his trunk, saying he might send for it some
time. He was regular ia his habits. Never
saw him under the influence of drink. Saw
him sometimes depressed. He would sit in
his chair with his head bowed in his hands re-
peatedly during the ten days he was at my
~. Saw the prisoner for the first time May
18th. Didn't say where he came FROM Gave
his name as Charles Robbins. Very regular in
meals; eat heartily. Saw no signs of bodily
ill-health. He complained of lame hand
from sewing on hard cloth. Always looked the
same. Should think three or four times l saw
him lean his head in his hands with the elbow
on the back of the chair. He would sit so for
five minutes perhaps, He roomed with Mr..
Murray He would laugh and joke with the
hnaruarC n tha InoQ ha laft 40 aSr'f
much of a talker as far as [ know. Only one
or two evenings was he out after nine o'clock
while boarding with me. He paid me my
board and when he settled figured the account
the house. Appeared like the rest of the
boarders except when he leaned his head on his
hands. Never knew Robbins to have pistol.
John e. Hutchins was the next witness call
Ee testified he resided in Wiscasset but had
been at work as sail maker the last month
in Bath. Was acquainted with the prisoner.
* Knew him since two years ago last fall;
Worked in the same shop with him. Worked
with him from the 18th to 22d of last May.
He did not work all the time. There were
some three days he did not work. He was
apparently steady and industrious. Never
saw him drinking anything. Have seen him
turn somersauts for the amusement of the
workmen. Don't remember whether he had a
fall. When he went away he said be was go
ing to Portland. He left very suddenly.
Witness testified to the exchange of clothes by
Robbins. He said Robbins made very little
conversation while at work in the sail loft.
Witness was quiet also. Robbins was an
athletic man; witness would think quite stout.
Don't think he made the hand springs to show
off. He told witness that he was once in a
gymnasium in New York, where he learned
his feats of strength. He had to lay by once
ON account of his lame hand few days up to
the day he left Bath, and was not at the shop.
The trouble with his hand was with the thumb
owing to an i'll fitting palm. Otherwise should
think he was in perfect health. Never saw
pistol in the prisoners possession.
Captain Charles Babbidge was the next
sworn:
He testified he resided at Deer Isle and
commands the packet that runs from Rock
land to Deer Isle. Always lived at Deer Isle
and always known prisoner. Went to school
WITH him and live only quarter of mile from
him. He was arrested aboard my packet.
Found him on board between and p. ILL.,, a
week ago Monday. Asked where he came
from and he said from Bath that day. Asked
how his face got hurt and he said in a row in
Bath Asked him where his baggage was and
he said he didn't know, and asked if he
brought any baggage when he came away from
home with me. Now the fact was he left home
on the Lewiston. Never knew anything
against him. Never saw anything ugly about
him, or heard of anything Up to year ago
times last winter. One evening I Ioticed
change. 1 was with him at his brothers.
house. He sat two or three hours across
char with his head bent on his hands and said
nothing to anybody.
Charles A. Spoffard testified as follows:
am an attorney at law in Deer Isle; have
lived there twenty years Have known Rob-
of schools twenty years. Robbins has always
attended school since he was old enough. His
character was positively good. So far as tenn
per and amiability are concerned he stood
well.
The cross-examination brought out no new
facts.
John Mitchell. for the government, steve
dore, testified that he was on the wharf when
the money was handed over. Saw the prisoner
look into the captains pocket-book. Saw the
money and heard the talk between the two
captains.
The defence was resumed.
Martin V. Warren testified as follows:
Reside on Deer Isle. Go to sea summers.
Have known the prisoner from childhood. His
character has been good Have seen him win
tiers most of the time; Never knew anything
bad about him. Worked with him winter be-
fore last. During the winter and spring saw
him nearly every day. He was very different
last winter from the winter before Last win
ter he was subject to spells OF depression, at
which time hes would not speak to his frinds
for several days at time. Never saw him
when thought he had been drinking.
The next.witness called was John Robbins,
the father of the prisoner, who testifedIas fol-
lows:
Reside in Deer Isle, 81 years of age, black
smith and carpenter by trade, have eleven
children; Charles lived at home till 1871, when
he went to New York to learn his trade; was
there about year; came home and then went
to Jonesport, from there to Calais and from
there to st. Stephens; during the past winter
he was at home until the 18th of last month.
when he left for Bath During the whole win
ter he did not do single days work. The ac-
cident occurred last June; Charles took the
horse and carriage to go to Green's Landing.
Did not see him again until the team came into
the yard with Charles in the carriage covered
with blood. Got him out of the carriage and
tried to get him into the house, but he refused
to 90 aud it took four men to get him in and
on bed after tying him. He remained in this
condition for nine hours Dr. Ferguson was
called to exa zine him. In the morning he got
up and dressed himself and asked what was
the matter with his face. Up to the time of
the accident he was one of the best boys l ever
knew but since that time have noticed great
change. The change was so marked that my
wife has often asked me the cause of it. /
have never seen him drink or smoke,
The examination was deferred until this
morning at ten o'clock.
Personals.
j. Hickson of the Grand Trunk has receiv.