Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-07
The pOcaSset Horror.

PoCAssET. Mass, MAY /

become Il POSITIVE terror Ill tllc minus OF many
of the fanatics neghbors The excitement
is even more intense than at the last writing.
and sensible people now recognize the ncccs-
sity of quick and decisive action before the in
censcd public. made desperate by the apathy
of the authorities and the tauntS 0fthe mono
manacs shall take the law into their own
hands The need of sufficient force of mon
to do the work which the State Detectives
would have done here rs long ago as Friday.
is now keenly felt.
PUBLIC MEETING.
The Selectmcn of Sandwich to-day visited
Pocasset for the first time since the tragedy
and called public meeting of citizens. This
meeting was held ut the Bay View House at
| o'clock Sclectman, H. G.. q. Ellis called
it to order. and said that the object of the
meeting was to ascertain the public opinion
and devise a plan for dealing with the more
rabd of the enthusiasts. Captain John
A. Beckcrman was selected to preside, and
David 4. Nyc was chosen Secretary Cap
tain Beckernan thought it the duty of citi-
zcnS to ascertain ut once to what extent Free
man and his wife were influenced in their ac-
tion by their associates. and then decisive ac
tion should he taken toward securing their
punishment for completely.
Mr. Radduc Wright was in doubt as to who
committed the deed. saving that he thought it
probable that the awful sacrifice was prcpr-
ranged and carried ont in the presence of the
entire company. Others cOncurrcd in this
opinion. Oliver Wing. Ebcnczer Nve. Fred
Dimick and Henry White strongly urged the
immediate arrest of all the fanatics
Geo. Dillingham;, chairman of the Board of
Selectmcn. said that there was no question
but that all present at Freeman's house were
accessories before or after the act. and that
they should be quickly put where they could
have no opportunity of perpetrating Il similar
homicide
PARTIES VINO ARE TO BIZ Arrested.
Selectman Ellis presented a list of those
whom he thought ought to be arrested. as fol-
lows; A. L. Davis. phineas Gibbs Jr., q.
Foster Howard. Alvin A.. Nathaniel and
Walter Wing. The names of Mrs. Hlr,ict
NJ. Smith and Mrs. Howard were added bv
vote of the meeting. and it was decided to re-
quest of the Selcctmen to secure their arrest
at once. 1t was voted that any others equally
implicated should also be locked up.
The Sclectmen will probably confer with
District Attorney knowlton at Barnstable to-
morrow, that warrants will not probably
be served until the afternoon or possibly
Wednesday morning. The result of the
meeting is known throughout the village. and
those most concerned have ample opportunity
to escape if they desire. The Attorney Gen
eral will be at Barnstablc tomorrow to au-
thorize the local authorities in the matter, and
extra efforts are being made to put the new
Jail in condition to receive the prisoners.
THE MOTIVES OF THE PROSECUTION
Appears to be more to break up and get rid
of this strange, fanatical set. than to punish
them for the horrible act which they counte-
nance.
HE RAWLINGS OF A LUNATIC.
Davis, the crazy man who figured in the
graveyard scene of Sunday. continues to rave,
extollng the character and motives of Free
man. and says that the secoud Abraham is
only a step in advance of him in Christian
virtues. Mrs. Swift. the grandmother of the
little MARTYR, continues to regard the murder
as a glorious affair.
A PROPOSED ISDIGNArIoN MEETING An,y-
DoSED.
The people of Sandwich are greatly in
censed at the course of the authorities and
proposed holding an Indignation meeting in
the Town Hall this evening. On learning OF
the action taken by the citizens of Pocassct it
was not deemed necessary to take further
steps
The MURDERER VISITED by HIS BROTHER.
FREEMAN WAS tO-uHF NlSUcu At Bdfn>tablt
by his brother William o. He was quite sad
and reticent. His Abralamic faith is not
shaken, but "a sense of the enormty of hi,
act seems to be gradually dawning upon
him. While still insisting upon the right of
his action, he said to his brother that if he
should become convinced that he has com
mitted a crime he would make way with him
self He will soon be justified, he claims
and on the 2lst of the present month the
world will witness a wonderful revelation.
He will be released from prison, and God will
manifest himself lie bears his confnemen nj
without complaint, but appears haggard and
worn. He refused to talk with reporters
On other than religious subjects he is still
perfectly sane. He gave his brother power
of attorney and directed him to sell his cs-
tate in Pocasset, as lie had no further use for
it. He does not attempt to explain why the
resurrection of his daughter did not take
place. 1t is feared that as he gradually comes
to his senses he will be so overcome with hor-
ror at the know ledge of what he has done
that his reason will really be lost, or that he
will, in fit of despair take his life
The MOTHER OVERCOME WITH GRIEF.
Mrs. Freeman is even more depressed in
spirits than her husband. She wept bitterly
on being visited by relative this morning
saying tnat she dlu not understand how Iod
could let them sacrifice the life of the child
She still clings to the idea that they did
right. Her eldest daughter, Mildred, was
taken to Dinnis to-day, where she will live
with her aunt. She simply knows that her
sister is dead, and supposes that her father
and mother are preaching somewhere. Both
the prisoners will be removed to the new
Jail in day or two.
THE INQUEST
On the death of the little one was commenced
before Trial Justice Hopkins at Barnstable
to-day, District Attorney Knowton assisting
in the examination of Witnesses Medical
Examiner &. n. Munsell of Ilarwich testi-
fled to the cause of death and to the state
ment made to him by Freeman and his wife.
substantially as alre idy published His tcs-
timony was corroborated by Medical Exam
incr Smith of Barnstabe, who had not been
qualified when summoned in the cases The
inquest was adjourned, and will be continued
from day to day during the sitting of the Su-
preme court, which comes in tomorrow.
THE VIEWS OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY