Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-03

L. B. GODDARD,
Called. testified residence Bethel. Am a Coroner
business an IN deTtaker, have followed my cal
ling at Bethel for IS years. Am accustomed To
handle cOrpses. Was appealed 10, 70 hold an in.
aue.t over the body OF Alfred Morgan, infant,
Monday, SOth, 1915. / notified constable Mghill
Mason and started for the house, of James Libby
Met Mason there. He was talking with the de-
fendaut. The women declined 10 show us the
childs grave. | told them they had better go, as
il would be no worse for them in the end. Mrs.
Libby told Ianthe that she knew where the child
was buried and could go alone, but was nnally
persuaded TO 20 with her sister. Mason called
Chas. Croker Sr., To 60 with MS az witness; we
went about of mile, west by north, 70 knoll,
on the lelt OF a cross road They designated the
spot where grave was located, and returned about
20 feet while we disinterred the child. Cautioned
Mason not TO iujure the corpse, As he was more
excited than !! He scraped the earth from top of
grave till the shawl was visible, then put his
shovel down 10y hard side OF grave, forced it down
and pried the body No, raising IL 10 the oppo site
eide OF the grave, There were about inches OF
dirt over the body where its arms were-the high.
est part Of bundle. opened the shawl and called
the women 10 lndentify the child. Asked them,
sis his the child you buried " lanthe replied
yes Repeated the question because Mrs. Libby
did not answer. The second time, she nodded
assent. Looked at child aud saw dark spot on
It's right temple, about size of silver dollar,
with purple and red discoloration twice that
Sue, which faded out 10 the natural color
Thought there was depression there, but did
II.
bruised and red. Then told the women 10 go home.
] carried the child to James Libby's, in my arms,
and left il in care OF old man Croker, while /
went 10 Locke's Mills after DIR. Davis. He took
the corpse TO Bethel Hill and delivered IL 70 ID.
r Brown Esq trial justice, al Pauee's Hall.
The body did not fall nor was il hurt while in my
care IL did not roll around while being taken
from the grave. Its knees were drawn up. Took
body to my house Monday night, and delivered 1t
Al the hall next morning where physicians were
summoned TO examine il. Cross examination
developed nothing new.
CHARLES CRoOKER SR.,
Residence Bethel near Locke's Mills, on cross
road y rods from Libby's. Was called upon by
Messrs Mason and Goddard to go with them as
witness to see where the child WAS buried; God
dArd and went ahead, the women following -
Women pointed out spot ll6 rods from Libby's
house, and 50 rods west from road. il was q
graveily knoll Mason took his shovel scrapeI
the dirt from top, and pried the child out, God
aard uncovered the face, and asked the women If
that was the child they buried. lanthe said yes,
and Mrs Libby nodded. Goddard carried child
to Iibby's and left IL in my care till he got DR..
DAVIS. No one touched the body while 1t was in
my charge. The ground at grave wasgrayely but
contained no large stones,-none larger than a
20 see her husband, Ianthe then went after her.
They came back together. When Mason returned
lanthe lett by the back door, and ran toward
Walkers Mills. Heard both the women say that
James Libby did not want Ianthe at his house
would not have her there. Lived in plain sie ut
of Libby's house. 0ften saw lanthe go there
and she would come away before Libby returned
from his work. Saw this done repeatedly during
the past spring and summer.