Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-30
ST AIN STORIES
Listened to by Counsel Pro and Con at
Medfield, Mass.
MEDFIELD, June 80.

MEDflELD, June ZJ
The first witness brought before the
assembled lawyers in tn celebrated Stain
case was Joseph Allen. who re-
resides in the north portion of Medford, and
is milkman. He testified that he saw
David l.. Stain on the 22nd of February,
1873, from the House of one Wiswall, some
800 feet away from Stains house.
The next witness was jeremiah johnson,
who tesutiell that he resided in Medfield, on
South Main street, and that, the day after
the horse belonging to Charles Hamant was
stolen. he saw David l.. Stain at his (Stains)
house. He said that Stain had Just returned
from hunting for the stolen horse, and that
Stain WAS the first man who told him that
the horse was stolen. 1t appeared from the
testimony that the hurse was stolen between
3 o'clock on the night of the 2lst and 5
o'clock on the morning of the 22nd of Feb
ruary, 1878. Witness said that he would
not ss ear that he was correct AS to the date
upon which the horse was stolen. The only
way he fixed the date was, he said, because
if the horse had been stolen before he would
have heard of it, and another reason why
he believed he was correct in the date was
because Stain was the first man who told
him that the horse was stolen.
George ID. Hamant testified that Oliver
Cromw ell came To him year ago the 25lh
of MAY, and told him that he expected to be
arrested for the robbery of the Dexter bank
and asked him (wItness) if he could help
hun to prove an abb. Hamant told him
that he had no books or dates 10 go BY, ami
that he did not know of any way by which
he could aid him. Cromwell then asked
witness if he [Cromweli) hadn't better ''skip
out" Witness advised Crom we'll not to go
away, for if he did he would sur, ly be
caught. Cromwell said to witness that he
VAS entirely innocent Of the affair, but that
if he was arrested for the offence he might
be convicted. Witness then told Cromwell
that if it was young Stain who WAS telling
the stories, that no one woull take any notice
of them, and advised him to stand his
ground.
James Buntin of Medfield testified that he
worked for Bradford Curtis in the summer
OF 1877, and that Oliver Cromwell worked
ON the same farm at the same time.
Mrs Charles Hamants testified that Crom-
we'll came To her house TO see her husband
some five years ago She SAID tnat she
heard Croma ell tell her husband that he
| (Cromwell) had belonged to the Stain gang
for number of years, but that he had sew
cred all connection with the gang, and
wanted nothing further to do with Stain or
with his gang.
Mrs. Alice Austin, daughter of the pre-
| ceding witness, corroborated the testimony
given by her mother.
Mr.. Clifford. selectman of Medfeld in
1878. said that Stain was not in Medfeld
when Hsmant's horse was stolen. Witness
was positive as to what he stated.
Frank Bonney, postmaster at Medield,
testified to Jerry johnson telling him very
different account TO what he stated on the
stand today. johnson told that he met Stain
on the road at the time he said he saw him
at his (Stain's) house.
Clinton Frost corroborated the testimony
of Mr.. Bonney,
| Isaac p. Cralling testified that Marcus
Gilmore told him an altogether different
story ~ to What his (Gilmore's) deposition
in Maine was.
Thomas Schools of Medield. testified tina
/ John Bullard also told him q far differen
story from the one he did in Maine.
1 Hamlet White was the last witness, ani
testified - to Bullard AMI Stain speaking