Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-05-03
BY TELEG GRAPH.
Associated Press kilograms to the Daily
kennebec Journal.
MAINE DISPATCHES.
CUNNlNGHAM'S TRIAL.
Opening Of the Case for the Defense. =
Closing Arguments.


CALAIS, May 2.
The interest in the Cunningham trial, Tues
day, was unabated A great crowd thronged
the court house, including large number of
ladies. Mrs. Brooks, A. s. Dorr and J. r.
Wiley were recalled to the stand and their
testimony Of Monday was mistaken. Frank
McGraw opened for the defence He asked
the same consideration from each Juror The
prisoner had the same rights and privileges
as the President of the United States, though
he was uneducated and without accomplish
ments. At the age of ii years the prisoner
became acquainted with married woman 10
years older than himself He lived with her.
Willing, industrious, weak and innocent she
kept him about her continually. He grew
fond of her, and was with her most of the
time. She said she loved him finally, and
made him perfect slave till he loved her as
passionately as a human being could. She
told him she prayed for her husbands death
that she might marry him. When her hus-
band died she accepted an engagement ring
and went to live at his house. Suddenly,
without warning, after having taken posses
sion of him, body and soul, during the II
best years of his life, cast him aside. utterly
ignoring him, for no reason. He had no
moral or religious teaching, and goaded to
madness by jealousy, committed the act He
made no attempt to escape. We claim that
his teacher, his mistress, taught him to do an
act for which he is irresponsible Cunning
ham took the stand and began the history of
his life when the court adjourned until two
Z. NJ.
Reassembling at two Z. NJ, the court room
was literally packed. Cunningham took the
stand and testified as follows: Was born in
London, England, and am now % years of
age. Have lived since | was a year old in
the Ridge district, Cherryfeld village. Have
one brother resident of Cambridge, and
brother and sister in Cherryfeld. all older
than myself | formed the acquaintance of
Mrs. Sprague when small boy, about IA
years of age. She was married to Mr.. Sprague
at the time she lived as house keeper with
Benjamin Morse, in part of the house in
which my father lived. did her errands, she
apparently taking great liking to me. 7
passed large part of my time in her society
She would take me up alongside of her and
caress and kiss me. She continued to treat
me in similar manner up to the time of her
death. met her one night while returning
from up the road, and asked me into her house.
| took chair, she sat down in my lap and
fondled me; remained till about nine, when
rose to go she coaxed me to remain which
did, staying till two o'clock the following
morning, and sint that time have done with
her as liked. | was about 10 years of age
Her husband died last July. At her soliciia-
ton. after his death, became engaged to be
married to her, and purchased and gave her
ring. Did not know her to receive atten-
ton from any other man up to within a week
or so of her death. About a week previous
to that event | saw her walking with Mr.
Wiley, and understood that ne said he was
going to walk with her again the first oppor-
tunity. reproached her and she denied re-
ceiving any attention from Wiley; went to
Mr.. Aliens, Sunday noon. March 10Th. Mr.
Wiley, Mrs. Sprague and others were there
In passing her chair l attempted to take a
handkerchief from her pocket. She told me
to leave alone as it was not mine, to which |
made no reply. She and Wiley seemed to
make much of each other. l remained there
till late in the afternoon. and then went home
to tea accompanied by Mr. Dorr. After tea
| started to go to church; went into Mrs.
Brooks to wait till the crowd went by. and
while there ] made no threats of any kind
whatever. Then went to church. sat behind
Mrs. Sprsgue. had no conversation with her. |
passed out of the church ahead and remained
on the steps until Mrs. Sprague and the others
had passed out; walked down the sidewalk /;
saw Mrs. Sprague take Mr.. willey's arm.
/ have no recollection of anything else until
l found myself on the opposite side of the
river. went to my brother-in-law's house
and remained there until arrested
The State declined to oss-examine and
the defence rested.
John +. Lynch made the closing argument
for the defence, speaking nearly three hours
He admitted that the deed was committed by
the prisoner, but he was so wrought up bv
real or imaginary wrongs done him, that his
acts were involuntary. He gave a vivid word
picture of the prisoners life with his victim
from his boyhood. Eleven Of his best years