Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-10-06
BY TELEGRAPH.
THE CAIN nURDER TRIAL.
SecosA Day Of ahe TriaI-Exaniaatio'
Of Witnesses for the Government.

yecopA Day Of the Trial-Exaniaatiou
Of Witnesses for the Government.
RocKLAxD, Oct ). The Cain murder trial
was resumed in the S. J. Court today and
the examination of the government Witnesses
vas begun. Robert Cain, father Of Willie,
was the first witness. He testified that Willie.
Tho was 10 last March, was timid child and
would not go alone TO the pasture for the
cows Last saw him alive Tuesday, July
feth, ~ quarter Of one; first missed him at
quarter past six; he had twenty-four cents
that morning; on that day was At work in
view Of the road which Willie would natur-
ally have taken if he had gone to the place
where the body vas found. Herbert Hill
testified to going to the pond with Bert Rich
ards, Freeman Gross and two other boys the
day Willie disappeared, about noon, staying
long enough to 90 in swimming twice and
cross the pond witness left between twelve
and one Cora Z. Pottle, who lives on the
road to the pond, testified: Saw Willie Cain
in company with Richards and one or two
other bows, not recognized, pass toward the
pond in tie afternoon. and later, about half
past four. when down by the boat wharf in
the boat, saw Richards and Gross in the field
coming from the pond. Minnie A. Jones,
who was with the last witness at
the pond, corroborated this statement.
Addie Jones, who lives between the pond
and Rockport village, testified to seeing
Richards and Gross pass from the direction
Of the pond toward the village At $50.
John Rankin, bright lad Of nine years,
living opposite the last witness, testified to
seeing Willie Cain in the afternoon with
Gross and Richards, going towards the pond,
thinks, about ) o'clock.
Almon Gardner and James Meservey.
Transfers, saw Richards and Gross near the
gate on the road leading to the pond, coming
toward town at about $50. Gardner saw
three boys in boat on the pond a short time
before.
A. ID. Champney, druggist, went to the
home Of Richards with others on the evening
Of Willie Gains disappearance, and with
several others and Richards, went with them
to the pond, and said he would show where
Willie fell out of the skiff, and pointed out
the place. Subsequently Gross pointed out
the place; the two places indicated being
about hundred feet apart.
"A. Harrimin testified that Richards
told him he supposed he was the cause Of
Willie C.in's death, but first said that he
didn't know anything about the Cain boy,
and afterwards said if the witness would go
into the next room he would tell him the
truth and made = confession. DIR. II. B.
Eaton, Jr., who went with Richards, testified
that Richards said on the way to the pond,
that Willie Cain wanted to go across the
pond in boat with him, and Gross and they
came back and got him and took
the money from him. and in doing
90 pushed him overheard. The witness
also testified to going for Gross. who denied
all knowledge of Willie Cain, but afterwards
told the same story as Richards. Witness
also described the condition of the body when
found, which had no abrasious. except hole
back of the right knee, which might have
been caused by hook. He thought the body
could not have been long where it was
found.
Several witnesses were examined as to the
rise and fall of water in the stream
where the body was found, between
July 18th and August Sd. +. +. Phillips
testified to the finding of lime in a lock OF
hair furnished him, and also in Willie Gains
clothing, by chemical tests. J. II. Mont
gomery testified that in an interview 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
where the body was found. SAID that the las,
time he saw him he was in the pond, and
when told that this story would send him to
prison, still adheared to it. The court room
has been crowded during the day. and a good
deal Of interest has been manifested in the
trial, especially by the citizens of Camden
and Rockport, where the tragedy occurred.
The youthful prisoners do not manifest any
emotion, or appear to realize their situation.