Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-24

Scribner neighborhood. Know Jason, seen
him frequently. Noticed him the winter be-
fore the homicide Said he had had some
trouble, referred to the death OF his child.
| Nights while he was asleep she appeared to
him, she called him to come. lie looked
wild about the eyes. About four years ago
met him on the road, complained Of distress
in his head, darting pains over his eyes. Saw
him at the time of the murder, he was run
ming pretty fast towards his mothers.
Cross examined: Were you Mr.. w. a
witness in the other trial? l was. Have
been to Scribners house five times in ten
years, day time on business. Sold him a
horse five or six years ago, gave me his note
Have seen him very often on the road. | am
a farmer, live mile beyond him. Have al
ways been acquainted with him, he was very
sociable.
Warren Taylor, sworn Reside in Augusta
about mile from Scribner's. Met him fire.
quenty; a few times on the road. Said, ''you
are alive; it is a pity we can't get out of the
world, isn't it?' Put his hand into his peck
ct and took out razor; was sober in his talk.
Charles II. Taylor sworn: Reside in Au-
gusta; know Jason; saw him often. Had no
conversation with him at home; saw him at
his mothers; came up while l was there;
said "you are alive yet it is an awful pity
we can't get out of this world" Said it in a
sober way. Had a - razor; took it out
of his pocket and looked at it. His brother
George was there at the time. Worked that
year for Mr.. Leighton. Saw him working
on the place He treated his children well
seemed fond of each other.
Cross examined Never was into Serb
ner's house. Saw him once with Maud.
Most always took some one of his children
to ride with him. Have lived within 30 rods
of him. Never saw him IN temper.
Joseph Spencer: Live in Milford used
to live in Rcadfeld. Knew Jason; saw him
occasionally; have done business with him.
Noticed something unusual about him.
He talked about trouble in his head. lie
treated his children well, took them in his
lap. Married a relative of his.
Henry Hopkins, testified: Have been in
Jail since Scribner was confined; heard an
cutlery one night, and some one said take
him away! !"
Cross Examined Scribner's cell ad-
joins mine; used to know him. Have seen
him when thought he had been drinking
Phineas Smith, testified: That he had
met him at his mothers year ago last
March; acted strangely; handled his cap
nervously. He begged for tobacco.
Cross Eramiaed: Scribner and | are
brothors in law. Found him pleasant sort
Oh man; not quick tempered
Elena z. Smith, half sister to prisoner.
Said he treated his children we'll Never saw
him caress them. When religious, read his
bible and prayed aloud Conversed with him
a year before the murder, and he said he was
trying to be a christian and wanted to 90 to
heaven and have his children go with him.
Cross Examined: Was at his house two
nights and day and half. Have stopped
there before and slept with his 'wife, and in
the night he came down and said we had been
talking about him. Used profane language
then.
J. A. Jones testifed Member of Augusta
police force. Acquainted with prisoner. On
night of July 4th three years ago came be-
fore my house and halloed for me to come
out, and have a good time. Cross examined
known him for twenty years. Never saw
him in a passion.
DR.. Harlow testified: Knew Calvin Serb
ner, relative, and knew he was insane.
Jason p. Scribner took the stand Re-
member the last day was at home. Went
out cutting wood. Came home and ate din
ner. My wife went to graveyard Stopped
a short time We cOnversed about the prep
aration of grave. Took my hoe and lev
elled it Off After left my wife, went home
and smoked. Then went to work in door
yard levelling it up. Went towards wife
and don't know whether said G. d you
or not. Had no trouble that day. Left my
wife and lady with her and went into house.
Had spade in my right hand and struck my
children with it. Went in another direction
and got an axe and then cut scar in my
neck. Don't know whether it was accidental
or not. or whether from temper. or because
tired of living. Don't know whether he was
fond of children or not. Didn't beat or kick
them about a great lot. Never had any
trouble with my head. Always thought he
knew what he was doing. Don't remem-
Der of telling people to take care for
me when | had bad spells in the head.
Was not in the habit of carrying a razor in
my pocket. Did carry one to cut his hair
sometimes. Remember of DR.. Brickett be-
Didn't make any talk. Have seen three chill
dren since have been in Jail. Have seen
number of other things in Jail, from spider
to an old rickety chair. and lots of people,
two or three dogs, five cats, and nothing else
that crept. Had talk with Angels. Didn't
know whether it was the Lords or the Dew
lis doings that made him kill the child.
Have heard noises from above, sort of sizzling
sounds, and low whispers. Have seen
snakes. one a large and the other a small
one. One was on my arm.
Cross Examined: Am SO years old, and
have been married II years (gave the name
and age of each of his children). Had no
| trouble with the children, but did not get
along SO pleasantly with my wife.
The questioning by the County Attorney
continued for a long time, showing that the
| prisoner had clear memory.
The cross examination of Scribner will
probably be continued this morning,