The Portland daily press., 1881-10-06
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE RocKPoRT TRAGEDY.


Trial of Richards and Gross for Murder.
RoCKLAND, Oct 5.-The Cain murder trial
was resumed in the Supreme Judicial Court
to-day and the examination of government
witnesses was begun.
Robert Cain, father of Willie, was the first
witness. He testified that Willie, who was 10
last March, was timid child and would not
go alone TO the pasture for the cows The last
he saw of him alive was ON Tuesday, July
18th, at quarter of one. He first missed him
at quarter of six. He had twenty-four cents
that morning. On that day he was at work in
view Of the road which Willie would natur-
have taken if he had gone to the place where
the body was found.
Herbert Hill testified to going to the pond
with Bert Richards Freeman Gross and two
other boys the day Willie disappeared, about
noon. He stayed long enough to go in swim
ming twice aud cross the pond. Witness left
between twelve and one.
Cora e. Potte, who lives on the road to the
pond, testified she saw Willie Cain in com
pany with Richards and one or two others not
recognized pass toward the pond in the after
noon, and later about half-past four, when
down by the wharf iH boat, saw Richards
and Gross in the field coming from the pond.
Minnie A. Jones, who was with the as
witness at the pond, corroborated this state
ment
Addie Jones, who lives between the pond
and Rockport village, testified to seeing Rich
ards and Gross pass from the direction OF the
pond toward the village at half.past five.
John Rankin, bright lad of nine, living
opposite the last witness, testified to seei 6
Willie Cain in the afternoon with Gross and
Richards going towards the pond and saw the
prisoners returning alone. Thinks it was
about five o'clock.
Almon Gardiner and James Meservey,
saw Richar DIS and Gross near the gate ON the
road leading to the pond coming toward the
town at about half past three. Gardiner saw
three boys in boat on a pond short time
before.
A. d. Cbsmpney, druggist, went to the
house Of Richards with others the evening OF
Willie Gains disappearance with several eth
ers and Richards went with them to the pond
and "a id be would show where Willie fell out
of the skiif, and pointed out the place. Sub
sequently Gross pointed out the place, the TIVE
places indicated being about 100 feet apart
F. A. Hartman testified that Richards tol(
him he supposed he was the cauee of Willie
Gains death. r first said he did not know
anything about the Cain boy, and afterward'
said if the witness would go into the nexl
room be would tell him the ruth and made
confession.
Dr. Fl. b. Eaton, Jr. one Of those who weDi
for Richards, testified that Richards said on the
way TO The pond thai Willie Cain wanted 10 e
across the pond in beat with him and Gross
and they came back and got him and took the
money from him and in doing so pushed him
overheard. VI illness also testifie d to going 70
Gross WHO first denied all knowledge Of Willie
Cain, hut aftera ards told the same story as
Richards. Witness also described the condl-
ton of the body when found which had no
abrssIons except hole back OF the right knee
that might have been caused by a hook. He
thought the body could not have been long
where found.
Several witnesses were examined as to the
rise and fall of wafer in the stream where the
body was found between July 18th and Aug.
Sd, and F. f. Phillips testified 10 finding lime
IN lock of hair furnished him and also III
Willie Gains clothing by chemical tests
J.H. Montgomery testified that in an inter-
view with the prisoners in jail the day after
the body was found Bert Richards said the
Cain boy was drowned in the pond and when
told that the body was found he said the last
time be saw him he was in the pond, and
when told this story would send him to prison,
he still adhered to it.
The court room has been crowded during the
day and good deal of interest has been mani
tested in the trial, especially by citizens OF
Camden and Rockport villages where the
tragedy occurred. The youthful prisoners do
not manifest any emotion or appear to realize
their situation