Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-03-30
WINDHAM COUNTY COURT
The Jamaica Murder Trial-.-Lewis
found Guilty.

moned TO attend court. Nine jurymen,
called in the case were excused for cause
or challenged. The trial commenced in
the afternoon. The indictment charged
that Jesse II. Lewis of Northfield, Mass,
on the Goth of April, 1875, administered
poison, to wit, 20 grains of morphine TO AL
bert w. Demming, inconsequence of which
said Demming died.
The witnesses testified substantially as
follows:
LEVI TRooT.-I resided in Jamaica in
the Spring of 1875. I was engaged in lum-
Der business aud arranged with Jesse II.
Lewis TO drive logs. Lewis resided at Tur-
ners Falls, Mass. He came with VIM.
Airing and Demming in April, 1876, TO ia
maica, and went TO river TO work on logs.
Lewis and Airing came home in the night.
Lewis said they bad left Demming on the
mountain; that he was tired, but well, and
there was no need of going after him. This
was about one o'clock in the morning. No
one went aller Demming; ii was expected
he would be in soon. Next morning /
went to Londonderry told Lewis to take
some breakfast TO Demming 1 think lie
took some. Think heard Lewis complain
that lie was sore, that he fell from some
lodges that his side and back were lame.
[Cross examination l had engaged Lew
is TO drive logs before / went to Jamaica.
Lewis said Demming was tired or beat out,
but no expected him along every minute.
Boat was LETT about two miles and a half
from Jamaica. There is path round the
mountain-no path a stranger could follow
in night time.
JULIA ANN UNDERwooD.-I reside in
Jamaica. Mr.. Lewis, Airing and DEM
ming cane to my house about six O'Clock
in the morning, in April, 1875. They lerl
about seven O'Clock. Lewis said they
would be back to supper. Returned at
night between twelve and one o'clock
Lewis said Demmiug was LEFT on the noun
tain that he was too tired TO go afler him /;
that Demming was tired and would come
along. l urged them to look after DEM
ming. Thursday night Demming was lost /;
body was found and sent away next day
[Cross examination.l Said they would go
on 10 the mountain as soon as il was light.
| thought he could he found in the night.
WIN. UNDERWOOD. was at home when
Lewis and Airing came from the mountain.
Was not up; heard Lewis say that they had
had bad luck that they had lost man on
the mountains that they attempted to cross
the mountain from the river to get home !;
that ii was dark; that he went ahead and
kept calling for the others that finally
Demming ceased to answer; that he
thought he would come that he was tired,
aud when he got rested he could find the
way out. Lewis complained of being in
jnred by falling down some rocks. [Cross
examination.1 Lewis said he was tired
and could not return TO the mountain that
night; that he broke down bushes to mar k
the spot where Demming was lett. l did
not think ii was cold enough that night TO
freeze any one, dead or alive.
HORACE SAUNDERs.-Is saw Lewis April
30lh, 1875. He said he had left q man on the
mountain. went TO mountain with him
and Airing. Told whore he left Demming ;
ii was within two rods of good path. We
looked about; Airing said, "Here he is
down here;" soon he said, "He is dead"
The body lay with feet crossed and hands
upon chest, and about Is rods from where
Lewis said they left him. His jacket was
open and "a bottle was in pocket; whiskey
had been in the bottle.
w. a. SAUNDERs.-Lewis on the way
from mountain after discovery of the body
stopped at Fosketts house; complained of
being lame; bathed his feet in warm wa
Ter, but declined 10 use liniment, said he
had some at his room. / noticed he went
lame-did not notice it after that Friday.
tCross examination.l 1t would be further
10 go over the mountain than 10 have fol-
lowed the river to Jamaica from where
they LEFT tho boats.
LEWIS N. SPRAaUE.-I reside in Jamai-
ca. Heard a man was left on the mountain
went to Foskett's house; found Lewis
there. He said he was chilly; sweat start
ed on his forehead; said he had fallen from
a ledge and injured himself severely. He
seemed 10 feel bad 4; said Demming was a
friend of his-that he told him before he
came that he was too old to stand driving
logs. went to mountain last at request OF
States Attorney. Saw fragments of bottle
near by where Demming was left.
FRED L. SPRAGUB.-The body was found
about twelve rods from where Demming
was said to have been left. Went 10 noun
tain with father last fall. Noticed frag-
ments of glass near point where Demming
was left. Body was taken 10 Jamaica and
examined in order to discover marks OF
violence. None we're found.
ELIZA SMITH, was at Mrs. Under
woods when the body was brought from
the mountain. Lewis told me that DEM
ming was tired, but lie expected he would
come along.
HENRY c. PLIMPToN.-I reside in ia.
maica. l inquired of Lewis how the mat
Ter happened. He said that Demming gol
tired, and told him to go on aud he would
come along. Said Demming was not well
at Brattleboro, and that he got a half pint
of whiskey there for him and Demming
drank it during the day.
]. PHILBREcK.-I reside in Lawrence,
Mass. Am detective. Was called into
case in July, 1876, by Mr.. Warren, a detec.
i've at Greenfield. Went 10 Greenfield
Jail middle of July. Lewis told me he en-
gagged Airing and Demming TO drive logs
that they went 10 river 10 see about logs
started down river afterwards; Demming
was capsized twice from the boat coming
down. Got discouraged. ArlIng aud Dem
ming wanted TO go over mountain and hi
followed; that they got in sight of lights
from Jamaica village and missed Dem
ming; called for him. but could not fine
him, aud went on to Underwood's; that hi
went to mountain next morning and founC
place where Demming was left; found body
about 100 rods from this place. Said ht
was sick for week afterwards. / asked
him if he had ever given Henry White
bottle of morphine. He said he never had
one; that Henry White had horse tina
had warts, and that he told him to get NOR
phiue and use with some caustic for wash
and it would cure them. Said Henry told
him he had got some kept il to use to so.
Der off with when he got drunk. This bot
tie was given to me by Henry White o
Gill, Mass. put my initials upon bottle
caused an analysis of its contents 10 III
made by DR.. Wood of Cambridge. Levi,
said he had written statement which wa
published at Turner's Falls. Aiterward
lie made written statement which he sait
was correct. L gave this 10 the States At
loruey. When inquired about morphin
he was excited, and drops of sweat as bi
Us pea stood on Lin.
CHAUNCEY BRYANT reside in Green
feld-am a deputy sheriff. Visited MI
Lewis in Jail in company with Philbreck
Lawis's statement was substantially as Mr.
Phlbreck has testified. When inquired
about morphine Lewis appeared excited
lrembled, and sweat stood on his face
Have seen bottle before; first saw ii a
Whllaia hnnan and Mr. Wnrnnr arrnsl