Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1875-07-24
The Murder 81 Aarietta Ban.
The firesfiv1iioR Demanded Jg George
GTegory Siaah.

''i'N' N"tS VI 5ull ~ says Aitht
The Selectmen, Of st. Adams, VT, at
the request Of Geo. Gregory Smith, son OF
ex-GOv. Smith, are holding public ses-
sion TO 4 full audience ut the Court House,
relative TO the murder OF Marietta Ball
about one year ago, which mystery has
never been solved SO as to arrest the cul-
prit.
For several months reports have been
circulated that young Smith was implicat-
ed in'the murder, in consequence of which
he demanded tkls Investigation.
DIR. Branch, Of st. Adams, was sworn,
but nsthing new was ELECTED. lie rccited
the rumor and hearsays about young Smith
but knew nothing positive. .-
The crosS-cXamination of the Doctor
by Mr.. Noble was very rigid, but the for
mer knew no facts.
The request of young Smith to the
crowd for all persons to thoroughly assist
the prosecution, was received with loud
applause. ..... ... .f.-..
Upon the rcasscmbling of the Select
men at the Court House in the afternoon,
the room was filled to overlooking with
people interested in the solving of the
long undiscovered mystery. 1t was soon
evident that the officials were in earnest
and would produce some important wit
ncsses, including two detectives who had
previously been employed on the case. 1t
was also rumored that the Srlectmen had
within week past secured two letters
purporting to come from parties who
would be present and make some start
! ling revelations.
The first witness called was Mrs. Abel
with whom the murdered woman boarded
up to the time of the murder, This wit.
ness knew the habits Of Miss Ball, and
positively stated that young Smith never
visited the house. She had heard that he
had come there and entered without rap
ping, but it was false. Mr.. Abel also
swore that Smith was never at his house
Mr.. Chadwick, proprietor of the hotel
at Bakersfield, swore that Smith was moi
at his hotel on the occasion Of dance
At this dance it has been stated that
Smith was present and insultcd Miss Ball
Mr.. Chadwick branded this story as false
in every particular.
Miss Curlcy, who had passed a team il
the vicinity of the spot where the mur.
dercd woman was found, swore that she
did not recognize it. The rumor has beer
that she did know whose team it was
but she denied it under oath. .
George Ballard, an officer, who invcsti
gated the affair thoroughly, swore that
he never believed young Smith to be i'm,
plicated. Detective Flanagan, who spent
two months working up the case, gave 9
history of his searches and firmly be-
lieyed Smith innocent of any completely
In the murder, and so officially reported
to the authorities months ago.
Detective Burgess was sworn, and pro-
duced handkerchief marked G. |. In
gram, found near the locality of the muir
der, but from his Investigations became
convinced of Smiths innocence, although
DR.. Branch swore that Burgess said HI
knew Smith did it, as we'll as if he hat
seen him, which Burgess denies having
said.
Rumors had filled the air for month.
that the murdered woman had told Miss
Wright that Smith had met her and in
suited her. Miss Wright swore that i
was false; she had known Miss Ball init
matcly; never saw Smith with her, anC
never heard him spoken of by her. A
this stage of the proceedings breeze o
excitement was created by the production
of two letters which had been received
by the Sclectmen.
They are dated Plattsburg, July 10, ant
signed by Geo. w. Walling, 319 East l9tl
street, New York, and Henry Raner, 24tl
street, Washington, ID. c. They hin
mysteriously at meaning business in tn
trial of Smith and ask postponemcnt O
the examination till the presence OF wit
nesses can be secured from California.
Mr.. Ballard, of Burlington, also re
ceved a letter from the same parties, re
questing his services as an attorney 70
the prosecution, but he svears to-day tina
he has neither seen nor heard further @
the matter. These letters are all in TIL
same handwriting and have been trace
to one Burr Clark, rough character, VIII
has disappeared and cannot be found i
answer to subpoena. At ) P. NJ. the de
fence began to prove an alibi.
ST. ALBANs, VT, July 21.-The secon
day of the session of the examination, a
! demanded by George Gregory Smitl
; opened at nine O'Clock this morning. TIL
examination of witnesses was continued
and the testimony elected showed cor
cluSively that it was impossible for Nj
Smith to have had any connection what
ever with the transaction.
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