Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-02
LIBBY MURDER TRIAL,
examination of fWitnesses-A Sympathiz.
Ing Scene in the Court Room to
Which Attorney Gen.
eral Protests.

Inc trial of Thomas J. Libby for the mur
der of Lydia S. Snow was continued in the
superior court this morning. larger attend
ance than usual was present. Cross-examin-
ation OF the prisoner was continued He was
questioned closely about the unconscious
spells he spoke of yesterday. He denied all
accurate knowledge of his acts during these
attacks; was once at Wilson's stable and re-
membered nothing more until he was at home
IN bed; didn't remember that anyone attend
ed him. his wife hired Lydia Snow; he had
nothing to do with getting her to come ne
had known her about year and a halt :;
ne had taken her to ride, picking her up OF
the road several times; had continual inter-
course with her while at his house, the first
time in July, 1882; Miss Snow had seen the
pistol.
tie denied scene in the dining room, in
which he threatened her because she gave
bouquet to another man; he didn't threaten
to shoot her. He denied the statement of
Mrs. Turner that he told Miss Snow that it
would be worse for her if she didn't 90 to
Portland with him; had arranged to meet her
in Portland, Sept. 4th had no criminal inter
course with her in Portland; had been trying
to leave of drinking for two weeks; on the
2nd of August he had drank whiskey. and
Miss Snow drank with him; had seen Lydia
Snow only once in the week before the shoot
ing; she rode home with him; she left his
house because she resented talk made by him
to her; didn't know where the girl was when
she was shot; didn't know that he had shot
her; couldn't deny that he displayed pistol
to Mr. Wiggln and others, but concluded
that he did not say, "That pistol would put a
hole through man."
Libby said that when he went to the bank
to get the checks cashed he wrote on them
but knew not what; in Wilson's stable vom-
tied the liquor drank at the Falmouth Hotel;
didn't remember talking with or, seeing any
body at the stable, or OF paying bill that
afternoon. At the Knights of Pythias Lodge
he recognized four men they talked, but he
couldn't remember the conversation; was
perfectly sure he wasn't then under the intlu-
ence of liquor. When asked why he knew
he hadn't drank while unconscious the wit
ness became confused; admitted that he
might have taken liquor. From that time
out in the cross-examination, Attorney Gen
eral Baker went back over the testimony on
the events of the afternoon before the MUIR
der, and the witness invariably answered that
he didn't know. The cross-examination ac-
ton was continued two hours.
j. Il. b. Morrill,, a Portland barber, testi-
| fed that Libby was shaved in his shop and
acted nervously and strangely. He threw hi.
arms about wildly. On cross-examination he
had been in his shop several times before
during the week, and under the influence of
| liquor.
At this point an attempt was made to in
troduce the testimony OF Mrs. Libby, who
had not been present this day. She had re-
mained in an ante-room, quite ill, under the
attendance of physicians. She was brought
into court on lounge attended by her
daughter and physicians. She appeared
nearly unconscious, her face being paid and
her under jaw falling. An attempt was made
to revive her with stimulants. She attempt
ed to hold up her hand to be sworn but had
no control of herself, and was semi-conscious.
The Attorney General protested against such
an exhibition In the court room, and it was
finally agreed by counsel to take her deposit
ton
William Hawes. an employe of the Boston
& Maine Railroad, (the deferred government
witness testified that Libby got him to put
a letter on the train on the 2nd or 81 of Sep
tember The envelope was produced in court
and Unidentified, but the letter has never been
found The envelope was addressed TO Nj ss
lydia S. Snow, Pine Point, Scarboro, Me.
Libby offered the witness liquor, and drank
with him at that time.
At l o'clock, the court adjourned until
. 30.
This afternoon, Howard Leland. clerk at
the hotel at Biddeford. testified Libby was
sick at the hotel at Biddeford in August,
1882; attended him from / to o'clock.
! lsa NJ. Libby, daughter of the prisoner,
testified Father drank heavily for a long
time previous to Sept. 4th; saw a change in
his habits; was nervous and his hands trem-
! bed; he could not sleep; thought burglars
were entering the house the night before the
3d of September; don't think he had drank
anything the week previous to Sept 4th.
! The witness remembered twice when he
came home intoxicated.
| Jno. ID. Libby, son of the prisoner, testi-
| fed as to his fathers drinking habits. He
left off about 10 days previous to the shoot
| ing, and was nervous afterwards.
Frank NJ. Smith of Portland testified that
he was in Salisbury Prison with Libby the
latter was stupid while there.
Capt. Manson Hume met Libby at the
postotfice at Prouts Neck on the morning of
| Sept 4th was very nervous; had restless
air. but no signs of intoxcation.
| C. b. Nash of Portland rode with Libby to
| isil after his arrest. He attempted to rouse
him but ne was unconscious, excepting once.
when he said "What is it, you"
A discussion ensued between the counsel
as to what the prisoner said to the witness.
The court adjourned to Monday