Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-06
Continued from first page,

about half.past eight, and then returned to
the hotel and took supper, and engaged
room, to which l went. ! sat down and
read the evening paper until about ~ 80,
when l started for Mr.. Martin s house.
As ! came down stairs and opened the
door, burly fellow touched me on the
shoulder and whispered:
II arrest you for the robbery of the
Farmers Bank of Il, and the murder
of Mr.. Richards"
''He placed the handouts on me and
escorted me here, and now ! have told you
all know of my case, and so help me
God it is the truth. My name is Howard
Burton; l have no parents"
This is the substance of what Howard
Burton related to me, on that Christmas
eve, in his cell in the Jail al c.. l had
not interrupted him during his recital, but
had listened very attentively to every word.
Twas much interested in the young man,
who was about my own age, and who Eel
was innocent of the horrible crime with
which he was charged. l remained with
him until long alter midnight, and then,
charging him to converse with no one on
the subject of the murder, left him. l
knew nothing of the circumstances of the
murder as yet, but the next day beng
Christmas, thought would 60 to Il
and learn what l could, as l knew my
client would not be examined that Cay,
but was sure he would the next. Justice
then was much swifter than now. On my
arrival at K|I went directly to the bank,
and found two or three detectives there,
and some of the officers of the bank
Nothing had been moved but the body OF
the murdered man. He was found lying
on the floor with his skull crushed and his
throat cut from ear to ear. Some OF the
drawers had been rifed. but aside from
this there was nothing to indicate robbery.
There was missing from the safe 900,
but the locks afforded no evidence of hav-
ing been tempered with. found that be-
lief in Burton's guilt was quite general
l proceeded to look around to see some In
dication of violence being used, but the
locks Of the safe and vaults were in per-
feet order. There was window in the
Presidents office that looked into the mar
row passage that divided the bank build
ing from a lawyers office. 1t was secure
ly guarded by an iron grating, and l felt
that the assassin entered the bank in the
usual manner, viz, through the door.
There was no trace of the assassin and
robber, as l said, but felt that the ac-
cused man, my client, was innocent OF the
terrible crime of which he was accused.
The Cashier had gone to C--and lodged
formal complaint against Howard Bur
ton, and the examination would be held
the following day.
/ stood at the window in the Presidents
Office, staring vacantly out, hard at work
thinking, when my eye noticed on the sash
of the window in the lawyers Office just
across the passage way, little scrap of
paper with the word paint" written on it.
A suggestive thought flashed through my
mind as l walked leisurely out of the
bank and stepped into the law Office next
door. was slightly acquainted with its
occupants, who welcomed me and invited
me to seat. We talked Of the frightful
occurrence of the previous night for some
time, and at length | said, rising to 60
:" So you have been painting little, Mr.
Harris ?"
"Yes, sir; did you observe my new
signP Kelley, the painter. has young
German working for him who is really an
artist. He did all the work here, and it
is almost worth what he charges to have
Fritz Vogel's presence in the office. He
is witty, original Dutchman."
"When was the painting done?" asked
''All done yesterday-be careful of your
coat"
/ babe Mr.. Harris good-day, and left his
office. / had learned who painted that
window, which was just what l most
wanted to learn, without asking leading
question or letting Mr.. Harris know was
interested in Mr.. Richards's murder any
more than he. made up my mind to
see the German Vogel without loss of
time, and find out if he saw Mr.. Richards
after young Burton LETT the bank. went
work, all hands keeping Christmas. l
learned where Vogel lived, and was soon
in conversation with him.
"You painted Mr.. Harris's sign and
Office. did you not?' l asked.
Yes, sir"
"Well. what time did you finish up there
last night"
SAT six O'Clock, SIR"
"Did you paint after dark"
"Yes, sir after dark painted the out
side of the window, about half-past five
the man in the bank lighted the gas, and
it shone SO brightly that | finished the
window last evening"
:" Did you see this man in the bank
handle any money!"
The German looked quite puzzled at
this question, but answered:
Eyes, sir, / noticed him counting a
large pile
''What kind of a looking man was he p
''Well, a good looking man; it was Mr..
Richards. II you don't know him | will
describe him to you"
| answered that | had seen him, and
then inquired what he did do with the
money!
He made bundle of it and handed it |
to young man, telling him to take it |
somewhere. could not hear all he said
In addition to the bundle, he gave him
what l judged to be few dollars in
change, and told him to come back in the
morning. Then the young man went
away BY and by Mr. Richards put out
the gas, and then suspended work and
went home"
Ibid you see Mr.. Richards AGAIN." |
asked.
Yes, saw him in the cigar store as
passed"
CONTINUED TOMORROW.