Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-11-16

The Testimony all in-The Counsel make
their Argument for the
Judge's Charge.

Judge's Charge.
The second day of the Scribner trial continued
with no abatement Of interest, aud
with an increased attendance at the court house,
crowdinR every available space. There we're
the neighbors of the unfortunate man, many Of
whom had been summoned as Witnesses. and at
tended because they had to, but the majority Of
whom were glad to be present to watch tie
progress Of the trial, and to note the pecuiarties
brought out in regard to the prisoners character
and conduct. Then there were many representa-
tives Of the class known ~ sensational hunters
and bloody gormandizers, who would stave to
death on a square meal Of roast beet, but fattcn
upon the details Of horrible murder, q reci:ed
from the witness stand. Then there were the law.
yers within the enclosure, and the loafsrs with
out. the combined forces making big crowd.
scribner looked slightly haggsrd and care worn.
Unless he is crazy, the mass of evidence pro-
duced 10 regard to his character 10 not calculated
to make a favorable impression rs q model for
the perfect man. After the witnesses had been
examined. came the arguments Of counsel-Hou.
Samuel Ttcomb for the respondent, and Hon. 4.
+. Webb for the government. Each occupied
one hour, and we're able and candid reviews of
the testimony. and arguments adduced thercirom
from their differing standpoin,s.
The court cam, in At O'Clock In the morning,
and the defence resumed it's examination of wit
nessos.
+. +. Pllsbury took the stand. Had Q CONVEX.
sation with Mrs. Scribner 10 regard to her hus-
band. on the day prior to the killing. Was city
solicitor. Several questions were asked which
were excluded BY the court
X. o ad
called. Am ii years DID, Saw father kill his
horse father took the blanket. put it over the
horses head, and knocked him In the head. He
then went into the house. Went out again; the
horse got up and tumbled do xn father took the
axe and hit him again. A nsA wanted TO buy tie
horse. After he killed the horse be said the .fr,t
gun fred" Horse laid there several months
after being killed.
Maud WAS killed. Father was At the house show
cling dirt when mother came from the graveyard.
Father was standing out by the barn, and begsu
TO swear at her. Father attempted at one tim TO
strike uncle George with boot. Saw father ~
tempt to throw Hat iron up TO grandmother
at Uncle George. Father swore at Us and moth
er. Told of his father kicking him out OF the
barn, because he didu't know where . wrench
came from.
IA Jones testified. Formerly lived in the
Scribner neignborhood. Am acquainted with
prisoner. Lived 20 rods from his house. Two
years ago last summer Jason out 10 the street
front of ny house, and made considerable noise;
it was in the night. and had gone to bed. Hs
hslloed some time, perhaps half Or three quar-
tiers of an hour. Anxious far me to come. Think
he said something 10 regard to 4th OF July. Sand
he wanted me to come out just . minute. Voice
loud.
Cross communicative the impression that this
occurred the 81 of July. Never saw Scribner IN
apassion.
Warner Taylcr testified: Live ct Coombs' Mills
10 the Scrbner neighborhood Know Scribner.
Once fell 10 with him coming from his mothers,
don't remember how he looked or what he SAID
though he talked differently from hs he previous.
ly had.
DIR. H. NJ. Harlow was called. Knew Mrs.
Page, sister to Scribner. who died insane at hos.
pital. CALVIN Scribner, q relative was 10 several
months ss . patient.
The defence rested its case here for the present.
The government resumed.
A large humber OF witnesses were called and
sworn.
Hattie Vaughan took the stand. AN 20; live on
Bog road, about mile from Scribner's. Went
into grsvey ard with wife.
Jos. Il. Wilcox testified Father Of Mrs. Jason
Scribner. First saw Jason Scribner years ago.
when | came from Wisconsin on . visit. l went
to his house and stopped few days, and Q
wanted to know why l didn't write when l vs.
coming. Staid there some two weeks. he used
plenty Of profane language. Heard him in the
My bit swearing and loud talking; about daybreak
heard him say Old d-n the old son of Q
and then kicked IS though to kick down the house.
He wanted to mortgage his place to 70 to Cantor
MIA Saw him again two years ago.
Alden w. Knowles: Have always known Mr..
Scribner, being born in his neigh5orhood. Was
at his house night before the murder. Went
there from q temperance lecture. Mrs. Scrboer
and one boy went into the hoase with me. Serb
ner Was sitting II window smoking pipe. Had
on . shirt and . shawl thrown about bis legs
We talked about the temperance meeting and re-
ligion some two hours. | slept up stairs. Serb
ner had inquired about temperance meeting.
day or two before had talked with him about buy.
ing wagon; saw no difference 10 bis appearance
at this last conversation. Family had not been
at breakfast when left Saw HIM st our door;
he appeared rs usual. Talked about his future
prospects; he said farming didn't pay, and be was
going to work out Had planted little then.
Cross examined. Noticed nothing unusual
about him. Paid usual attention to what be was
saying His wife asked me to 10 in and stay, %
she was afraid OF him. My attention had been
called to his mental condition prior to this.
Samuel Wood: Live in Scribner neighbour
hood, and have known Jason Scribner ever since
he was BON. Last water he came to my hou.e
one evening; was in two or three times. Didn't
notice anything unusual in bis appearance. He
is very quick tempered, passionate man. Quar-
relsome when in liquor.
Cross examined. Don't recollect anything I'M
usual in his appearance when he called. He
spoke about his father being the smartest
man 10 the world. This touched up his temper
. little. Didn't think anything was out of the
way with him.
Geo. w. Knowles: Reside two miles from Ja-
son Scribner. Used to 60 to school with him
when boy. Worked for me three years ago and
then the next spring, at farming. He had some
hard feelings with his brother. and he said be bad
no fears Of State Prison % the law relating to
hanging WAS abolished, he would have revenge.
He 10 a quick tempered, passionate man.
Cross examined. This was two years ago last
spring. Have seen him few times since.
Robert Cummings Reside in Scriboer neigh
borhood. Known Jason Scribner Is or 20 years;
have worked with HIM did 90 last spring, on
Leighton's farm. Had conversations with him.
Have worked for him in different places. Have
noticed no difference in him the past few year,.
Said to be quck-tempered passionate man.
Cross-eramined - Saw him frequently last
spring. Didn't notice him particularly.
John II. Miller: Know Jason Scribner, and be
worked for me brick making in 1885. Have since
worked with him in the employ Of another man.
Seen him quite frequently until within three
years. l considered him . very quick tempered,
quarrelsome man, exceedingly 30. He Wss consid-
cred . very quarrelsome man in the community.
Abner CoOmbs: Live one-fourth Of Z mile
from Scribners. Always known him, and used
70 see him frequently. up to within year and .
half. Have been At his house spent the evening
there; it was last April. Was there two hours;