Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-13
The Sentence to be Given This
Morning.
A RumOr that the Prisoners Counsel Is
to Carry up the Case.
A GREAT TRIAL.

Interest in the great murder trial eliminated
yesterday. The announcement that the
prisoner was to be put upon the stand. and
the possibility that there were eXtenuating
circumstances not yet known to the public.
packed the court room long before the hour
for trial arrived. The atmosphere of the
room was sultry and uncomfortable. But a
mysterious fascination impelled the vast
audience TO remain for hours, listening with
fervid interest to the proceedings. Merrill
appeared well while giving his testimony,
and manifested some creditable emotion.
FRANK PERCIvAL RECALLED.
Witness said that on Sunday, February
9th, he rode from the Merrill house to his
own residence with Coroner Libby. Mr..
Libby said that he was going to see the pris-
oner, and that he would talk with him and
see if he could get him to confess. Knew
Mrs Merrill. She was large, stout woman :;
would weigh as much as l65, | should say
Heard Merrill confess in the Jail to County
Attorney Heath and Jaier Jewell.
AUGUSTUS CHADWICK RECALLED.
Knew Mrs. Merrill She was very large
woman; in my estimation she would weigh
from lis to 200 pounds. =
CHARLES MERRILL CALLED.
It would be impossible to describe the sem
sation and suppressed excitement when Mer-
rill was put on the stand. The room wss still
a. death. Witness spoke in low but per-
fectly audible voice. He testified that he
was % wears of age; that his boyhood had
been passed on farm in Windsor.
few years ago my father bought a
farm near Weeks Mills. Last sum-
mer nv brother-in-law, MIR. Lilly
and myself carried on the farm. We raised
a considerable amount of produce, hay grain,
etc Left home in the fall. Voted the green
| hack ticket at the fall election. Came home
and found that my mother had taken my bed
down. She told me that could not have a
home there any longer as l had voted wrong
Laid on the lounge that night Staid IN nv
sisters part of the house for two or three
DAYS | then went up to Tyler's Corner to
Alfred Clark's. That fall worked for Clark
and about the neighborhood, saving wood.
Engaged in trade somewhat that fail'
buving and selling chickens
hav and apples. After left Ciarks wen'
"a nv cousin. Sumner Merrill. and lived al
h;s bouse for awhile. Sometimes went to
600 nv sister. On one occasion my mother
,o,d me- if wasn't we'll could come home.
f,sr that. whenever called on my sister
she said the same thing. Finally returned
,. and did the chores for my board. hao
been at home about four weeks wheh TUE
hom;c;de occurred. Had no difficulty Win
o,her She would not let me use the
hors. when wanted to, and would niue '"'
h.r,ess 50 that could not get it. Saw mel
hide the harness behind the o"''
on.a Got it, and put it up in the chamoer
Shs said that she wished that L would lei 'h'
,,ass alone: that there were great many
..peekers" around.
Tue DAY OF THE MURDER.
S,,,v afternoon, February l?th, IN,
.stsd me if would take her to tn'
,,.n, .ha wished to do some trading
h.rressed up the horse and complied VII,
hsr request. We soon returneui so' o"''
-, s,,r o'clock. She went into the house
d drove out to the barn to put the ho.s'
Went into the house and got my ma
While I was doing the chores M!
mo,her came into the barn. took up 'n'
- robe.. and she seized them and SAL
s.e.e .n,ed TO take them into the house
told her that would take care Q. Tue 80
49, |, got through with them; that vaa'e'
= no The horse and sleigh that esenin
-. ,ook the pitchfork and struck me On =