The Portland daily press., 1883-04-28
The Libel Suit Against the Bangor Com
mercial.

The Libel Suit Against the Bangor Com
mercial.
CALAIS, April 27.-In the Supreme Court to-
day In the libel case Of Morse vs.. Bangor Com
mercial defence called Frank Goodridge who.
testified that he was resident of Dexter for
q years; that the reputation of Ellen Russell
was rather bad for chastity.
John w. Springall was always resident at
Dexter and had always known Ellen Russell.
Her reputation for chastity was bad for years.
A portion Of f.. NJ. Tibbett's deposition was
read stating he had heard damaging stories in
regard to her character. judging from com
mon talk It was not above suspicion. Her re-
pntation was bad
Henry Glass, 40 years resident Of Dexter,
saw Morse come out of the parsonage after
midnight aud pass up Main sireet. Soon after
Glass met Ellen Russell going in the same
direction. He was member OF the Methodist
church and knew Morse and Russell we'll
Rev. Mr.. Wardwell said letter written him
by Morse dated the morning Of the drowning
affair substantially stated: 81 am crazy, can
do nothing; withdraw from the church and
ministry" did not refer to charges sent him
Received letter from Morse about week
after requesting an investigation.
Mrs. Bridges sew Morse tho evening before
leaving for Calais pass by her house; saw him
and the Russell woman meet on Episcopsl
Hill and pass each other. MSS Russell went
down Water street, Morse went on and turned
upon Spring street. Next saw Morse come
out OF the parsonage and 90 down to the bridge
where he met the woman They went up the
hill to Spring street together. My daughto
returned soon after aud told what she had
seen. Morse called at the house the following
day to see about tho scandal and after some
talk admitted he had been in the house alone
with Ellen Russell.
Ira Brown and Thomas NJ. Bartie testified
that the boat Morse hired was found June 23d
rights up and oars carefully placed. No
water in it; also to Morse's had being found
floating crown down with no water in II.
Mr.. John Toomey testified to meeting Morse
on the Bridge at II o'clock the night OF the
23d. His talk indicated that he did not know
where he was. He said he was after work. He
asked what the excitement was. Met Me-
Greary, night watchman OF the custom house,
told him they thought the man was Morse.
We overlook him aud led him to Mr. Estes
house whore no went in and ataid an hour His
clothes were not wet.
Noah s.. McGans testimony was the same as
Toome3's.
Mr.. VIM. Wbitekuot testifel that Morse
hired boat the afternoon Of the 23d. He had
no small girls with him.
The deposition Of Volney A. Sprague WAS
read showing that the Russell girls reputation
/ for chastity was bad.
Mrs. Emily A. Abbott, long resident Of
/ Dexter, acquainted with Ellen Russell, living
4 in the samo house for years, said her reputa-
/ tion for chastity in 1880 and previous was bad
Would not say that 1t was general public re-
port June "a, 1880 in Dexter that Morse was
! guilty of adultry.
/ P. L. Lowell testified that be had known
I the Russell girl for twenty years Her repu-
I tation was bad. Morse promised him in 1867
/ that be would have no more TO do with Rus
/ sell. Told him of her reputation. Morse was
seen getting off the train from Bangor, in COM
pany with Ellen Russell. Morse used 20 come
to him frequently with his troubles about the
scandal. Morse said Russell was at his house
once or twice after his wife went TO her father.
He warned him Of the impropriety of bis
conduct, and told him If he had any respect
for the church or himself he would stop. Mr..
Morse made no reply
/ Mrs. Webber, boarding house keeper of
] Dexter, testified she saw Morse and Miss Rugs