Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-05
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH
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Daily Hsaasaee gourual.
ELLSWORTH.
Murder Trial.

ELLSwoREH, May 4. In the Smith murder
trial to-day, several witnesses described what was
found tie morning after the fire.
Enerton va, the first at the frc. lie found the
barn door fastened; opened it and found the
horse loose near the door, with brible and breast
plate on the wagon was also run out of the car
rage house.
The bones of MIS-. Thayer were found under
the barn, and the trunk of Trims body in the
wood house, about four rods from the driveway.
Down the road were found pools of blood, and
Mrs. Thayer's cloud, rubbers, and comb.
There was trail Of blood from the fence cir
cling round and ending near where the skeleton
wa, found under the barn.
Sheriff Devereux testified to arresting Smith,
who made no inquiry as to the cause Of his arrest.
The sheriff found on Smith a clean Shirt and ask
cd for the one be wore during the week. Smith
answered that the shirt be had on was the one be
repeated it several times. The sheriff searched
for the dirty shirt, but could not find it.
The shirt Smith had on perfectly clean, and
without a wrinkle. The sheriff found spots on
the pants and vest, that looked like blood. Smith
said they were iron rust. but did not account for
the iron rust. gun with blood ON the breach
was found.
Smith told the sheriff he did not 60 out to the
scene Of the murder because he could not bear TO
see dead bodies.
| Smith was taken 10 the hotel and placed in a
room during the night. lie awakened the sheriff,
who found Ii, wrist disabled, and one swollen.
| The sheriff claimed that he had been trying to
| escape, which Smith denied.
| The sher If asked for the coat Smith wore dur
ing the week, and was told it had been colored
| that morning for the reason it was faded on the
back and shoulders. Tue coat was produced, and
was found very wet with dye, more on the front
than behind.
The counsel for Smith subjected the witness to
a severe Contamination, but nothing new was
| elected
City Marahal Walker Of Bangor testified sub
| stantislly to the same, hut more particularly of
circumstances.
James w. Patterson, deputy sheriff, res ident at
Bucksport, also corroborated the sheriff. and testi-
fed to further conversation with Smith. Smith
did not so to the scene of the murder because he
could not bear to sec dead bodies. Told no one
he had been out there the night previous. Pat
terson also took charge of Smiths clothes and
kept them until he delivered them to the county
attorney.
Testimony was also introduced showing that
Mrs. Thayer was in possession Of seven hundred
and fifty dollars il currency, shortly before the
murder.
George Snoa testified that the prisoner helped
him move a shed the Wednesday previous, and
worked in his shit sleeves.
William Small testified that he saw Smith We'd
nesdsy, and he had on a darker shirt than the one
shown
The attendance continues very large.
feet 10 inches in height, well made and strongly
built, apparently in good health. of light complex
ion, and wears full, sandy colored whiskers His
eye is bright and clear, and he neither speaks
avoids the gaze of the curious throng. When adj
dressed, he looks his interlocntor steadily in the
eye, without shrinking. His face is more than u.s.
ually progressing, and the tones of his voice are
neither harsh nor unpleasant. lie is in telligent,
read, much, talks with fuency, and frequently al
udes 10 the serious pos iiion in which be is placed
He says be feels hum Ill lated at the disgrace that
has upon himself and family, and speaks
with feeling of his aged parents who, he says
were good pious people, and gave him in early
life, the best of counsel and instruction. No one
he says, more surprised than himself at the
serious charge made against him, and he stoutly
protests his innocence.