Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-12

6HSGYeI4tQ6
ne nad no accomplice in the crime. Amer
MS concession returned him to his keene,
As soon as possible we started for Auoust.
with Merrill. On the way l saw tracks le.d-
ing into the woods, and stopped NV borso
Merrill was in the team behind. asked him
TINS was place. He replied that it was. We
went into the woods near the stump and soon
found the frozen trunk 1t was in tvo n;eco.
After this we drove directly to Augusta. Have
known Merrill ever since he was thirteen or
fourteen years DID,
GROSS Examined was sobbinv all
the time while he was making his confession
to me. He was sitting down: do not know
whether he could stand up. Did not give anv
direct reason for committing the act.
WA. PERcIvAL RECALLED.
Witness stated to the court. as nearly a.
he recollected. the conversation with Merrill
in the parlor. His testimony corroborated
that OF the previous witness, as to time.
place, and the manner of committing the foul
deed. Witness was in the party that dug the
trunk out of the snow. do not remember
that Charles gave any reasons for killing his
mother.
II. w. True CALLED
Am Judge of the Augusta police court.
Merrill was arraigned before me for a pre.
liminary hearing on Monday, February 2sth.
Have the record Of the case with me. 1t is
On page 269, case l6, l3l of nv record. Mer-
rill plead guilty" to the complaint of wilful
murder. He was not represented bv coun-
sci on the occasion.
By Mr.. Farr.-I object to the admission of
this record.
The CO"rt.-On what grounds?
BY Mr.. Farr.-Merrill was arraigned before
the Judge only twelve hours after he made
his first confession to Mr. Libby There is
TO evidence that the improper influence then
brought to bear upon him, had ceased to
operate. lie had no counsel, and was not
warned by the Judge to provide counsel.
The Cou,t.-The stenographer will make
note of the objection.
Mrs. FANNIE s. LILLY CALLED.
Every eye was turned upon the witness. as
she came toward to testify. She was very
pale and her voice trembled considerably.
She was neatly dressed in black. Witness
stated that she lived in the north part of her
mothers house nearly all winter her husband
is employed at the Maine Insane Hospital.
Did not leave the house but once or twice all
winter. as she had small child First missed
mother on Monday, February 2lst. Charles
went to- Augusta that day, and on his return
asked him where his mother was. Said
night Charles built up fire in the fireplace;
said he expected company. The chimney
burned out, and feared the house would
catch fire. Ran into the sitting-room, and
saw something which looked like
piece of meat sizzling on the Goals asked
Charles what it was, ana he said it was
pitch-pine knot. l was afraid of fire, and
made Charles remain in my apartment that
night That week Charles went to Augusta
several times, with potatoes. hardly left my
room, as nv wood and water were brought
by my brother. Sunday morning Charles said
that mother had gone to meeting. Towards
night he said he saw her coming down the
street, towards home. Monday night, /
asked him where mother was. He said that
she had been at home and got his breakfast
that morning. On Friday sent for Frank
Percival, the deputy sheriff, and told HIM
that had suspicious of foul play.
Cross-eramined-Saw Charles and moth
er leave the house on Saturday after
noon about one, tor the Mills. twas
about two o'clock when they returned.
Charles came into my room that afternoon.
Heard him 60 up to bed about dark. Charles
came home to live about the last of January.
So far as have observed, the relations be-
tween Charles and mother were pleasant
Mother would not always let Charles have
the horse to use when he wanted it.
BIZ NJ. Heath.-Did you and your father
pack up your goods with the intention OF re-
moving, soon after the tragedy?
Ansrer.-We did.
Ouestion.-Did you discover that certain
articles were missing?
4nsrer-Yes; some stockings and some
dried apples had disappeared
Questionable your mother and Charles
have some trouble last fall!
Ansrer.-They had some trouble on poiiti-
cal matters. Mother took down Charles bed,
and he left the house.
GEORGE A. ROBBINS CALLED.
Reside at South China. Went past the
Merrill house on Monday afternoon, Febru-
arv DIST, about five o'clock. About two hours
later. l drove past it again. Sparks were
coming out of the chimney, and l smeiied
something like meat burning
AMBROSE TRASH CALLED.
Live in China know Charles Merrill was
nut in charge of the prisoner Oh SATURDAY
and had him in custody until he was taken
:. Au0usta. Did not at any time hear any
n-om;ses or threats made to Merrill to get
him to ownup.
THOMAS F. MURPHY CALLED.
Live in Augusta; am reporter lor Tue
poston Globe. Called on Merrill at the jail
on the Sunday afternoon on when ne
w.s brought to Augusta. asAeu