Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-01-30
BY GRAPH.
MAINE DISPATCHES.
THE KITTERY MURDER.
Trial Of Mrs. Barrows-The Prisoners
TO Have Separate Trials.

BIDDEoRp, Jan. 20.
The case of the State Of Maine against
Oscar E. Blaney and Mary Barrows, an in
dictment charging them jointly with the muir
der of Mr.. Barrows of Kittery, on the 18th of
last November, was called in the Supreme
Court today before Judge Virgin. Long be-
fore the opening of the court the approaches
to the court room were filed with people
anxious to gain entrance and it was necessary
to close the doors.
The counsel for Mrs. Barrows asked for
a separate trial on the ground that they
could not agree with the counsel for Blaney
as TO the defence to be made and that their
interests were inimical. This request was
granted.
The case of Mrs. Barrows was called, and
a jury, consisting of Lyman Butler, Nathan
Atkinson, William P. Mari, James B. Jacobs,
Daniel W. Goodwin, Edison II. Milliken,
William +. Seaman, John b. Bradbury,
Albion Rowe, Cyrus p. Harmon, John Mar
tin and Nathan W. Henderson, were i'm
panelled, after fifty-seven jurors were
called, occupying about three hours. Attor-
ney General Cleaves and County Attorney
Higgins appeared for the State, and Ira T.
Drew, VIM. Emery and J. B. Donovan for
Mrs. Barrows George C. Yeaton is counsel
for Blaney.
The attendance at the trial this afternoon
has been large, women forming much the
IS IL,
torney Rigging opened for the State. He
said it had been eleven years since case of
murder had been presented to the jury of
this county. lie claimed that the story was
as horrible in details as was ever presented
to jury, and he related the history of Mrs.
Barrows married life with Benz f. Cate, his
death and her marriage soon after with Bar
rows, who was working on their farm. Not
long after Mrs. Cate became the wife of Bar
rows, her daughter married Oscar +. Blaney
Mrs. Barrows threatened vengence. The
government claims that Blaney purchased a
pistol in Dover and cartridges in Portsmouth !;
that on the night of the murder he left the
house ostensibly to visit neighbor. but
went to Barrows' place and lay in wait for
Thomas Barrows and shot him twice as he
was passing to the barn; then threw down
the revolver and started home; soon after
Mrs. Barrows came to his house; there was
a hurried consultation between Mrs. Bar.
rows, Mrs. Blsney and Oscar T.. Blaney.
Mrs. Barrows then said her husband had
committed suicide. Blaney procured two
cartridges; he and Mrs. Barrows started
back. and while Mrs. Barrows examined on
the outside, Blsney went into the room where
Thomas lay. On Blaney entering Thomas
Barrows said, oscar, | must GO" Blaney
replied, Eyes, your time has come" and shot
him several times, producing immediate
death. The government claim they have the
confession of Blsney, which was made in the
presence of and corroborated by Mrs. Bar
rows; that Mrs. Barrows stories are incen-
sistant and that she planned the murder in
all its details. going as far as to select the
coroner who should be called and making the
cause of the death suicide on account Of
temporary insanity.
The first witness called was Winfield S
bennett who testified relative to the distance
of the barn and neighboring houses from
Barrows' house.