The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-10-08
THE RoCKPoRT TRAGEDY.
Trial of Gross and Richards for
Murder.
BREAKING THE FORCE OF THE CON
FESSIONS,

RocK1AND, Me-, Oct THE court room has
been crowded throughout the fourth day of
the Cain murder trial.
Gilbert Richards, father of the older prison
or, who was not living with his wife, but with
a daughter, testified to seeing his son about
six, again at seven and then at the pond after he
was taken there While Bert was in the boat
I heard some one say damn him, throw him
overheard, if he don't tell.' The crowd was
excited and heard similar language repeated
Didn't interfere, because didn't I know but
they were working on facts, and wanted them
to have their own way
Washington Miller, a lad of II, identified
and testified that he had owned little pocket
book same as Willie Gains. He sold it to
boy week before Willie disappeared.
Henry Merchant another lad, testified to
selling the pocket book to Miller.
Jonathan Gross, father of the younger pris-
oner, testified that he saw his son on the 18th
of July, between four and five, at home, and
not again till six, when he went mackereling
with him and got home at half past eight. He
was awakened by Eaton coming for Freeman,
who told freeman he wanted him to go to the
pond and show W there he drowned Willie Cain.
Freeman said he had not seen Willie that day.
Witness followed to the pond and heard Eaton
say damn 'em, they've got to own it, or we'll
heaye EN- overheard" Bert was in boat
and both boys could hear these threats. Then
Bert was brought ashore and Freeman taken
out. Threats such as "Shoot 'em," "Hang
'em," were continued. They would search
awhile and then threaten because they
couldn't find the body. On cross examination,
ne said he had been in the habit of hunting
with Davis who found the body. He never
asked him any explanation of finding the body.
Freeman did not tell me Willie was drowned
when we were out fishing that evening. L
heard him say at the court house, in the pres
ence of Mr.. Montgomery, that he did tell me
SO in the boat His words were -"Father did
say so, but was frightened"
Grace Merkel testified that as she was going
to the pond July 18th, with others, she met
the Richards and Gross boys coming toward
the village, between one and two o'clock, in
company with the Hill and Fitzgerald boys.
Witness and party remained at the pond about
an hour, and saw no other boys there.
Laura Merkel corroborated the last witness
Isora Gross, sister of the prisoner, testified
to occurrences at the house the night OF the
18th, and was at the pond at 10 the next day.
Saw Freeman in Pigeon woods. FL. L. Shep-
ard and S. v. Hill had him. He was running
toward the bluff and they followed. Freeman
said there was where they threw Willie over
the bluff. Heard Lucius Heal say he wanted
the men to let him have Freeman and he
would take rope and drag him across the
pond till he did tell. On cross-examinatlon
witness denied that she had said she heard
Freeman tell his mother that they took viii
across the pond with them, nor about the ten
cents, nor that he tried to paddle up to Willie
when he was in the water and Bert padded
away from him.
Joseph w. Thorndike was at the stream
very soon after the body was found in the place
where the clothes had lain. The grass was
entirely Tiled out A paper collar found in
the pocket of the clothes was dry, but looked
as though it had been moistened. The stream
was fifteen inches high some days previous
to when the body was found.
O. M. Knight testified as to the water in the
stream, and judged it had been sixteen inches
higher than when the body was found short
time previous.
Eunice Mercy, nine years OF age, testlhed TO
being in Pigeon woods on the 18th OF July.
Saw Freeman Gross there and saw Bert Shop
herd put a rope round Freemans neck and
draw him off his feet several inches and saw
Theodore Hall swing him by his feet, and they
said, 'sNow tell where the body is" Freeman
said, eWe'u heave. him over the bluff" He
looked good deal frightened. Heard Lucius
Miller say he'd tie a rope on him and drag him
across the pond till he did tell.
Eona Killer, girl of IA, corroborated last
witness.
Mrs Bag ley aunt of Richards, testified that
he was ather house about p. m. on July 18th
and remained till about 5.
Mrs. Angelette Richards, sister of the pris-
oner, testified that Bert came to her house be-
tween 5.and on the evening of July 18th and
stayed an hour or more.
Henry A. Davis testified to finding the body
on the afternoon of Aug. 3d. His attention
was attracted by "a black hat on the bank of
the stream. He thought first boys were there
bathing, but beard nothing. He picked up
the hat and then the vest, pants and shirt and
hung them on bush. The grass under the
clothes was dead and around the edges had
grown up and partly concealed the clothing
He followed down the brook and the dog start
ed to the brook and went after him and found
the body. He found the paper collar in the
pants pocket. The legs of the pants were
rolled up about an inch. He got the reward
offered for finding the body. He was cunning
after ducks when he discov cred it.
THE INDIANS.