The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-02-04
NEARING THE END.
Testimony in the Kittery Murder
Trial Finished.
ARGUMENTS BEGIN MONDAY ON
OPENING OE COURT.

OPENhN& DE COURT,
| Mrs. Blaney ON the stand-A Sad speeta-
Gle Defence II hssts-Littl0 Rebuttrng
Testimony.
SAco, Feb. 2.
Especial Correspondence of the Press1
The usual press of people thronged into the
court house Saturday morning. The morbid
curiosity which attraced SO many of them
there was probably gratified in full measure by
the pitiable sceneiwitnessed when OscariBlar ey
saw his wife, on whom the shadow of materni-
ty is resting, brought in as a witness. The
recognition between mother and daughter was
unutterably sad. A brief interval was con-
sumed by the defence-enough to bring out all
the case they had-an then after ten minutes
of rebutting testimony, both sides rested. On
Monday the lawyers, Ira T. Drew for the de-
fence, and Attorney General Ceaves for the
State, will do battle, and the charge of the
judge be given. Perhaps Monday night will
bring verdict.
THE TESTIMONY.
AS was expected. the first person to go upon
the stand this morning was the wife of Oscar
e. Blaney.
MARTHA NJ. BLSNEY.
The day the occurrence took place her hus-
band came from his work on the railroad and
they had supper about balf past six. He
spoke of getting neighbor to kill pig, went
out and was gone some time. She was making
candy when he returned He came in, remov
ed his overcoat and pants and taking off his
shoes put his feet on the stove. In a short
time knock was heard. Oscar answered it,
and starting to follow him she saw her mother
coming in. Did not remember whether they
were speaking to each other or not Her
mother told Mr. Blaney what the matter was
and Oscar got the team ready to go. Her mother
did not go to the barn but got into the team
from the piazza; she gave her mother cloak
and her husband q revolver. She did this be-
cause size always gave him revolver when he
went to that house and she supposed he took it
for self defence. They got into the team and
rode away. When her husband returned the
second time it %ss very late
When 3arrows went away in September of
81, he remained one night and came back the
next day. Then the scene at the house when
Mrs. Barrows was shot was told, Toe nara
tive of the scene when Thomas made her swear
never to marry Oscar Blaney was given also,
and it corroborated the testimony of Mrs. Bar
rows.
The government made no s-examination.
AS the witness was taken from the room she
was sobbing violently, and it required the
sistance of two men to support her. The sight
of her daughter passing rear and her loud sob
biDg completely unnerved Mrs. Barrows, and
placing her bsndkerchief to her eyes her ouu
frame shook from the violence of her emotions.
AT this point the defence rested and the re-
butting testimony was put in.
En Rebuftal.
The prosecution recalled the high sheriff OF
the county,
SHERIFF GETCHELL.
When he arrested Mrs. Barrows she thought
she might recognize in the sum set down by
the justice and SAID she did not know what to
DO. Mr.. Spiuney and Mr.. Grant were sent for
by him on her suggestion. He told her if she
did not go voluntarily she would be immedi-
ately arrested as accessory to murder, and he
had warrant for such an arrest in his pocket.
FRANKLIN W. BLANEY.
Nothing was said to him by Mrs. Barrows
save that Barrows had shot himself
MR.. NEALLY.
He produced the testimony Mrs. Barrows
gave before the coroner's inquest and read it to
the court. A new reason for going to Blaney's
house was given "that she thought
she would go far enough that he (her
husband) would not reach her." In it she also
said that she was afraid of her life but kept it
to herself; her husband showed signs of insan-
ity that day. He had made threats which she
did not like to state, az d wished her to make
over her property to him.
This completed the rebutting testimony, and
defendants counsel said they had nothing to
offer in sur-rebuttal Arrangements for the
guments we're then made, Mr.. Drew agreeing
to occupy no more than Monday forenoon for
the defence. This looks as if the case might
be given to the jury by Monday night.
Notes ihe Case.
Special venres have been issued for fifty
jurymen to attend the court room next We'd
nesday, at which time jury will be drawn to
try Blaney.
Judge Virgin, in his closing remarks to the
jury Saturday morning, cautioned them about
going to church Sunday, as ministers were
likely to preach upon capital punishment when
murder trial was in progress. The judge
thought as much spiritual nourishment could
be obtained by reading the Bible as in any
church service.
Mrs. Barrows was much affected by her tes-
timony on Friday afternoon, and passed a rest
less night, twisting and tossing from side to
side of her bed, and moaning at intervals.
Saturday morning, after court had adjourned,
she was given brief airing. Taking the arm
of her brother, Mr.. Cook, and accompanied by
her brother-in-law, Mr. Grant, and Deputy
Town, she walked down Main street to MIS-.
Tuttle's boarding house, two doors below the
Saco house, and whore her brother has rooms
and remained there short time. Few people
saw her as she passed through the streets.
The mawkish sentiment which SO frequently
attends the trial of a capital case has made it.
self apparent in this one. Saturday morning
white rose, with small sprig of green pea,
was handed to Sheriff Getchell to give to
young Blaney, with the sympathy of the sem
der" When the sheriff handed it to him in
the jail, Blaney burst into tears.
the officers who have them in charge say
that since coming to Saco Blaney and Mrs.
Barrows never speak to each other.