Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-15
STATE HOUSE MATTERS.
Meeting OF the Governor and Council

~ hiS afttihtSa ouNtTitf duu
Council, with the exception of Councillor
Carter, who WAS absent, met in the council
chamber yesterday morning. The first bust
ness taken up was hearing in regard to the
Boys, who were sentenced at Houlton, Nov.
IL, 1856, TO serve two years in the States
prison at Thomaston. This is the fourth
time that the case has been brought before
Governors council; once during Governor
Robes term and twice under Governor Bod
wells. The last time it was presented to
Governor Bodwell and Council, was with a
view to have the case re-opened. 1t was
brought forward yesterday by Lawyer Lum-
bert of Houlton, with view of obtaining a
pardon. Much of the evidence had been
used at the time when it was desired to re-
open the case, MIR. Lumbert endeavored to
show that the evidence on which the boys
were convicted was insufficient and that at
the trial they had been prejudged guilty,
He furthermore endeavored to show that il
was principally by the testimony of George
IL. Gerald that they were convicted of hav-
ing broken and entered Dennis Mullins
store at Sherman. He claimed that there
was not hint of burglary in the Indictment
The judges charge to the jury was read.
A deposition made before Messrs. Bah
cock, Scammon and Sawyer to the effect that
Gerald had lied when on the witness stand
at lloulton, was read. W. 5. Sawyer, Esq,
of Lincoln was present and testified AS to the
manner of Gerald, when he thus retracted
before them his former statements at Houl-
ton. When Mr.. Sawyer was asked as to his
opinion of Gerald's truthfulness, when he
made the retraction, Mr.. Sawyer expressed
himself as satisfied that Gerald told the truth
in his retraction, that in other words he tes-
tilted falsely at lloulton. Afterward Gerald
himself was called upon. He claims that
Orrin Gerald and Dennis Mullin got him to
testify against the boys by threatening him
with arrest if he refused, and by supplying
him with liquor. His indictment for per
jury since his confession has not been made,
1t is thought, on account of his not being a
man of sound mind. At one o'clock the
At 2.30 T.. NJ. the hearing of the forenoon
was continued. Several dispositions and
certificates were read. Mrs. Dow, the
mother-in-law of Abraham Perry. was called
and testified that Abraham Perry who lived
over eight miles by the shortest cut from
Mulleas store, was at his home to her knowl-
edge at nine O'Clock that evening.
A deposition from Welcome Perry and
one from his wife were read. The deposi-
tions were to the effect that Martin Bracket
passed the night when the robbery was com
mitted at their house.
A petition was also read from the grand
jury before whom the question of Geo. II.
Gerald's perjury was brought. This petition
sought the pardon of Abraham Perry.
Charles Gerald the brother of George II.
Gerald, testified with egard to his brothers
mental condition. He said that he consid-
cred his brother George an irresponsible par
ty. Also stated ahat George had been sub
ject to fits during the past ten years, and he
could be advised by anyone.
A certificate from DIR. Craig of Houlton
in regard to Geo. Gerald's condition was
read to the effect that Gerald was an irrepon-
| sible party.
Mr.. Nelson, who married Abraham Perry's
sister and who is paying the expenses of the
case at present. was questioned He spoke
of grudge which he said existed for some
time between parties interested in the pros
ecution and the Perrys.
Miss Lizzie Johnston testified that she was
on the night of May 2G, 1886, at Abraham
Perry's, retired at ten, lay awake for half an
hour, heard Perry 60 up stairs to bed. Woke
at four A. NJ, and Perry was at home at that
time.
Miss Hunt of Lincoln testified that she