Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-30
Hammond Arrested,
NEW HAMPSIilKE.
on OF the Alleged Pier.
mont Murderer.
commencement of Proceedings and Elk.
animation Of Witnesses.

Haverhl, January 90. The examination of
Sawyer, the supposed murderer, began at o'clock
this afternoon, the Attorney General being absent.
Solicitor Putnam commenced the examination,
aided by G. w. Chapman of this town.
The defence is conducted by j. III. George Of
Concord, c. \. Dole and F. L. Morrill, of Boston.
The court house was packed to its utmost In
tense excitement prevails. The examination
promises TO be long. The was opened by G.
W. Chapman. The evidence thus far contains
nothing new.
The first witness wa, DIR. Dolby, examined by
Solicitor Putnam, testified with regard to the con-
diton of the body. He was examined by
Col. George, who brought out the fact that the
posture Of the body manifested no evidence of al
iteration the part of Mrs. Emerson, but that she
died without the slightest intimation of the fate
so imminent; also that the gun must have been
fired at a considerable elevation, Judging from
line drawn from the head to where the shot struck
the wall, which had decided upward tendency
John Flanders was next called. He was the
nearest neghbor of the Emersons, living thirty
six rods away, and was the first man ground
Heard the report OF gun and fastened to the
scene. Met Sawyer on the way; asked what had
occurred asked three times before receiving an
answer; Sawyer then replied, "Johny's wife has
shot herself-blown her head all to pieces"
Flanders went on to Emerson house saw the con-
dtion Of affairs and went to summon the neigh
bors.
Witness stated during cross-examination that he
saw Sawyer and Mrs. Blair, with whom Flanders
1
that Sawyer was supporting Emersons body also
that he had not, all along, when speaking of the
affair, called it an accident.
On direc. examination again, he testified that he
heard Sawyer say to another man that Emerson
was in the barn when the gun was fired.
The next witness called was Mrs. Blair. She
heard an outcry at about quarter of ten by her
clock went to the window; saw Flanders start to
run towards Emersons. Sawyer came to the back
door and said "Johnny's wife has shot her head
ic4Y a - hon
went back towards Emerson's As posi-
possible started for Emerson's. met Sawyer
| and Emerson coming towards my house; / invit-
cd them to my house. They came short dis
lance, when Emerson turned back, saying 81 can
| not go l cannot GO" We again turned him to-
wards my house. Emerson asked Sawyer, as
the dead;' Sawyer made no reply. We then
| led him into the house. As soon as had OPP
portuntv asked MIR. Sawyer if she was dead
| lie said, "Yes; there was stream of blood went
as high as the plastering, as large as your arm
asked how it could have happened. Sawyer
said the muzzle Of the gun was placed here, [indi-
eating the sp3t under his left earl and that she
must have fired the gun with her foot. | asked
how she could have got her foot back into the ov-
en-. lie said she placed her foot in the oven with
the same motion with which she fired the gun
Sawyer said he was in the house within D minutes
of the time he heard the report of the gun. Saw
yer then said laughingly, at is a warm day." al
so he saw Emerson come out of the house saying
what shall do; what shall do;' To the best
of my recollection, Sawyer said Emerson was at
the barn when the gun was fired.
Cross-examined-Neye was any unkind feeling
between Emerson and Sawyer l have stated
many times l thought it was an accident; think
so now. | never heard any suggestion from
Emerson that Sawyer had committed murder.
Emerson was saying all the time: "Oh my poor
wife," Emerson said he was at the barn when
the gun was fired. Mr.. Sawyer said so too, TO
! the best of my recollection.
The court then Adjourned until tomorrow.
| Manv more witnesses are to be examined. The
examination i before magistrate y. b. FELTON,.
| Obituary.
| Laconia, January %. Rev. John r. Young, for
many years pastor OF the Congregational Church
here, and more recently OF Hopmton. died here
this morning OF pneumonia after an illness of ten
dav-.