Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-16
The Mask Thrown OF.
Merrill's Bold Plans to Escape.
'hwarted by the Vigilance Of Sheriff Stevens
and His Deputies.
THE CLOSING SCENE.

Merrill would not be carried to the full court
and on motion of County Attorney Heath the
prisoner was brought in and placed at the
bar. Since his appearance in court on the
day Ut the verdict. he had had his face cleanlv
shaver and his hair cropped close to his head.
While sentence was being passed upon him
he stood with his eyes cast down. and bore
look of sullen Indifference, quite in contrast
with his appearance during the greater por-
ton of the time occupied by his trial
| County Attoraey.-Your Honor, ! move
that sentence be now pronounced against the
prisoner.
Judge.-Mr. Farr, have you any remarks
to make?
Mr.. Farr.-No, your Honor, have
nothing to say.
Judge.-Charles E. Merrill, have you any
thing to say why sentence should not now be
pronounced upon you?
Pisoner.-I have nothing to say that
know of.
.Judge.-You stand convicted of the crime
| of m urder in the first degree. You have
been tried by twelve of your fellow men, ac-
cording to the law of the land. You have
| been pronounced guilty by those twelve men
men of integrity, of impartiality and more
than ordinary intelligence. In my judgment
their verdict was fully justified by the evil
dence presented before them.
You were defended by one of the most
learned members of the Kennebec bar All
the propositions of law which could favor
your defence were clearly and discrimina-
tingly presented to the court. All the ma
terial facts which in any way tended to miti-
gate the crime with which you were charged
were ably and eloquently presented to the
jury by your counsel. And wish here thus
publicly, TO extend the thanks of the court to
that counsel for his generous, self-sacrifcing
and magnapimous spirit in accepting posi-
ton so responsible and solemn without
the promise or hope of compensation
| from the State. He has distinguished him
self by the ability with which he conducted
that defence. and I feel constrained to remark
that he has added to the credit thus won in
conducting the defence. by retaining from
carrying to the court questions of law with
respect to which there could be no reasonable
doubt. You, therefore, stand convicted by
the judgeme mt of your peers upon competent
evidence according to the law of the land,
after all the defense which it was possible to
make had been made in your behalf 1t is an
inexpressible relief to me that the Legislature
of this State, animated as believe by that
Christian and enlightened spirit which should
inspire the actions of all legislators. and
acting upon the true philosophy of punish
ment. has abolished the death penalty as
punishment tor crime throughout the limits
of Maine. The law says to you now, "fou
have forfeited your right to live in open
| fellowship among men. BY your
fragrant disregard Of the benefcent ex-
ample which the State has set in retaining
from taking human life, by your disr' gard Of
the law of nature as well as of civilized COM
munities. YOU have forfeited yonr right longer
to live at large among your fellow men. 1t
| only remains, therefore, for me to pronounce
nnon Won the sentence of the law, and that
is. that you be punished by imprisonment at
hard ia5or during the period Of yoW ndfn'-
al life. and that this sentence be inflicted upon
| ,ou in the State prison at Thomaston IN our
county of Knor, and that go" be nor re-
| mnuded TO Jail to remain until remored 10
IN, State prison in pursuance Of tins SEN
tence."
An ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE.
great Transformation came over Merrill
| ~b;le the Judge was pronouncing the solemn
sentence. His form grew erect; his eyes
h,azed with an angry light; and he appeared
tho very incarnation of evil The officers
were on the alert for any move on his part
Thew had been warned by the prisoner
oonSa.nts in the Jail that he contemplated a
Wild dash for liberty. He had SAID to se'erai
that If his sentence was over ten years. 'hes
| o,,d never get him from the Court House 10
.h. ;.;l alive. He had made inquiries as 10
| ,.h.,ber il would be wiser, if he broke away'o
take to the woods or to the railroad 'raeA ="
Wow of these revelations. Sherln stevens
took extra precautions to prevent any 'ro"''..
D.,,,v Sheriff Jewell fastened the 'twisfers
,rouud his right wrist so firmly that thes' CUT
.,.s, ;,.o the flesh Mr.. Sewall, superih-
...aon, If the county buildings, took his iei'
.ro in a yice-like grip. On the way :" '"e
;ail Merrill said 'sTake the twisters on 'ae.
- Mr.. Jewell responded, ut wo" ias'
I'm, minute" Then the prisoner ore" ''i'''-
self IN. and his muscles became ike ro"'
nd hogan a mighty effort to oreaA away
~. ,,, cruel stwisters," by sudden tur"'
cut into his wrist, ana '"e ~.
vas so excruciaiing that it TOOK '."e
courage out of the fellow. and he was sa'e', -,
-, into his cell, where he will remain u"'''
,.ken TO Thomaston.
A business firm on Water street, repo'.
1904 roceipts. per dav, from the nrs'