Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-11

my suspicious. in company with VIM. Per-
cival searched the barusard and barns
Found traces of blood about the barn. In
the afternoon oyerhauled the manure heap.
and soon found a piece of flesh which
looked as if it had been through the fire.
Continued my Investigations and found other
chunks of flesh, partly burned and partly un-
burned. Found q mass of ashes, and in those
found buttons and trimmings evidently from
woman's dress. Went into the. house and
examined the fireplace. 1t looked as though
1t had been used for burning some greasy
material The andirons were covered with
curry Saw on the north side Of the fireplace,
on the floor. the prints of three bloody fin
gers. On the other side of the fireplace I
saw blood stain.
commandments Charles as 10
the whereabouts of his mother. as soon as
reached the house. He said that she had left the
house the previous Monday. after he had gone
to Augusta. He appeared careless and I'M
concerned. l first hunted the cellar over
and went into Mrs. Lilly's part ii the house.
where found Mrs. Lilly and her grand
mother. Mrs. Doe. Charles was at the
manure heap when ! shoveled out the large
piece of flesh. Said 1 Charles. what's that?''
He said tina. he didn't know that it had been
there some time. Saw Charles when he was
arrested. lie manifested no emotion.
FRED MALCOLM
called. Live at Weeks Mills Know the
prisoner. Was present at the Merrill prem
ises on Saturday afternoon when the search
was made. Took charge of the meat which
was found, and delivered it to DIR. Nelson
about seven o'clock.
DIR. G. ]. NELSON
called. Reside at Weeks Mills; practice
medicine there. Heard of the mysterious
disappearance of Mrs. Merrill on Friday af-
ternoon. Was summoned up there on Satur-
day afternoon, about five o'clock Was
shown pieces of burned flesh which / identi-
fed as belonging to human being There
were portions OF the right thigh and leg. |
took charge of the remains, which were
brought to me by Fred Malcolm. With nv
own hands l took of flakes of flesh and
grease from the andirons There was hor-
rible stencil about the sitting room. 1t
smelled like a dissecting room where the
refuse flesh is burned. On Sunday pieces of
the skull and upper and lower jaw were
brought me. Dr. G. F.. Brickett of Augusta
examined these bones with me. turned to
Charles Merrill and asked him if he could tell
me how these bones and charred pieces of
flesh came in the manure heap. He hesitated
moment, and then answered ..No.' He said
that they had been there long time. He
manifested no fear.
By w. Fajr.-Could you tell if the skull
had been broken before it was burned?
Ansrer.-No, sir. The pieces had evil
IDENTIFY been broken after they were burned.
DR.. GEORGE f. BRIcKETT Called.
My connection with the matter be-
gan on Sunday. l was summoned
by Coroner Lisby, and siF-sc cat to
Weeks Mills, arriving there sometime
in the course of the forenoon. / found in
the remains portions of the arm and leg
The Doctors testimony corroborated that of
the preceding witness. There was no trace
of any bones of the trunk in the remains. /
was in the party which found the body in
Bartons woods. The head, arms and legs
were gone. The trunk was perfectly naked
in the snow. The prisoner was present on
the occasion.
WM. H. LIBBY CALLED.
On the 9th day of February last held the
office of Coroner of kennebec county. About
midnight of Saturday l was summoned to
China. Sunday morning, in company with Mrs.
Warren of the Journal, | drove out to Weeks
Mills. Stopped at Deputy Sheriff Percival's
a moment and looked at the prisoner. Then
drove to the Merrill place. DIR. Brickett
soon came. suggested that the portions of
the remains be labeled. and instructed the
men to search for more evidence. Inter-
viewed Mrs. Lilly. the sister of Merrill.
Drove down to Mr.. Percivafs for dinner.
While waiting for that meal. I took Merrill
alone into the sitting-room. and talked with
him some fifteen minutes. told him that
the evidence pointed to him. He grew
quite faint and sent out for water. left
him sottened somewhat, and went to dinner.
I made no promises to him. and no threats.
Cross-eramined-Saw Merrill a moment
in the morning. before we drove down to the
scene of the tragedy. Got back to Mr..
Percivars about II 80 o'clock. Took Charles
into the parlor and sat down and talked with
him in relation to the murder told him
that suspicious pointed strongly toward him
as guilty of committing the deed. He
stoutly denied it at first. said his mother
had been at home Monday morning and got
breakfast for him. Told him that it was
horrible crime: that if he was guilty he had
better own up and relieve his mind. Merrill
was greatly affected and called for water Left
him nearly broken down. and went to din
ner. After the meal was finished. went into
the parIor again with Charles. Told him
that was ready TO take up the matter where
we left off In the course of fifteen or twenty
minutes, he asked me if had any objections
to Mr.. Percival coming in. Merrill was
pretty well broken down, and was sobbing
He then comics sed TO US.
Mr.. Libby was then withdrawn until tu-
.,,ra occcasou