Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-21
SOLVING THE MYSTERY
Stain and Cromwell Be-
fore the Bar Of
Justice
To Answer for their Crime 50
Successfully Concealed for
Ten Long Years.
A Cloud Of Witnesses Waiting
to Testify that they are
Barron'S Murder
erS.
Graphic Accounts Of the First Days Pro-
ceedingS in the Greatest Criminal
Trial in PenObSCOt County,
By the Journals Own Reporter, Who
Sends it's Readers all the ImpOr-
tant Details Of the Case.


BANGOR, Feb. 20.
Two DAYS more and Il decade will have
! passed since the tragic death of Cashier Bar
, ron. During these two days there lies the
possibility of the unrayelling of a mystery
that for ten years has been so deeply shroud
ed in darkness not to have once been ap-
preached until the confession of young
Stain. The kennebec Journal man upon his
arrival here, found Bangor fully alive to the
I fact that the trial of Stain and Cromwell,
who are to be tried for the murder of cash
Ter Barron, was one of the most important
in the annals Of crime in this State. Every
body seemed to be wholly absorbed in the
days event and anxious that justice should
be at last meted to those who appear to be
the ones guilty not only of the death of
most honorable citizen, but of the sorrow
and misery suffered by wife and mother for
ten long years. Indeed it is the prevailing
opinion that Stain and Cromwell are gritty
of that terrible crime, and yet along with
that belief there is half defined fear that
the evidence is not strong enough to convict
them. However, this doubt does not seem
to rest upon the mind of County Attorney
Appleton, judging from the conversation
which the journal reporter had with him this
morning. Everywhere is heard expressions
of sympathy for Mrs. Barron, the widow,
and from all is heard the wish that for her
sake. alone, the criminals should he if
,I..- . ,I..,,,r
crime, thus clearing from her husbands
unsulled name. the base impntation of SUI
icide that has been cast upon him. From
these causes the public has rendered every
assistance, and the counsel has spared no
pains to procure evidence on the minutest
| point of the case which promises to be one
of the most determined and desperately
fought ever on the criminal docket of this
county.
. At half past nine o'clock there was biz
crowd about the doors of the Court House.
I The capacity of the room for spectators is
very small, and but few were allowed inside.
Sheriff Brown first seated the witnesses on
three long seats and shortly after ten O'Clock
opened the doors for as many as could to
enter. At five minutes past ten Chief JUS
( ,ce Peters entered the court room and took
his seat He was Immediately followed by
Attorney General Baker and County Attor
ney Appleton. The counsel for the defense
soon after entered. About the reporters
stand were representatives of the kennebec
! tba fha
Whig. the New York Post, and World and
the Bangor Commercial, besides the Assoc-
ated Press correspondents. At twenty min
utes past ten Stain and Cromwell were
brought into court by officer Allen. They
were bound together by handouts. The
hand-cuffs were removed after the prisoners
were placed in the dock. Jail life showed
! its effects in the countenances of the two
men. Stain looked uneasy and frequently
bit his lip as though to suppress his excite
ment, while he cast furtive glances about
! the room. His moustache had turned from
/ black to grey since his confinement 1t
/ seemed to the reporter that he had not the
/ air of confidence which he showed at Dex-
ter. Cromwell was pale but quite calm. He
appeared as if he had become fstalist and
felt resigned TO whatever might come. His
wife, pale thin woman, evidently suffering
deeply in her feelings sat near the counsel
for the defense.
( The names of the thirty men from whom
the Jurors were to be selected were then
read T. b. Spratt of Eddington was first
called up and put under oath. He was chal-
lenged. Jacob Puffer was the next name
called He said he was cousin to Mrs.
( Barron. Excused. Next in order Chas.
| q. Harrington. He was challenged C.. II.
Judkins was called and challenged. james
Brickett was called and accepted. Daniel ;.
! Humphrey was called and sworn. Appleton
que STONED him. Judge Petsrs expressed the
opinion that objection should be made against
a man who has discussed the question AT is
( sue He was accepted. Andrew j. Welsh
was next called. He was questioned by
| County Attorney Appleton and was accepted
! Next came Freeman G.. Arthurs He was
challenged by GilIen for the defense. Her
I f..
very closely by Attorney Appleton aud ehai-
lenged. John +. Gray was next called
Chief Justice Peters made remarks TO the
effect that he desired very much to know if
anyone had tampered with the jurors. lie
also expressed the opinion that man who
hadn't real the newspapers wouldn't be much
of man. Gray was accepted. Ch"s' A.
Severance vas next 10 be put under
oath. He was accepted Franklin NJ
HINT was challenged by tilien.
Dennis F. Murphy was named and was
challenged BY Appleton Silas L Hafch
was named and was accepted. James A
Mayo of Brewer was challenged by Appleton
for the prosecution. Henry 8. Dale uus-
tee of the bank was rejected h once OTIS
lC. Friend of Etna was challenged. Lewis