Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-24
IN SUSPENSE.
The Government Rests its Case.
Counsel for the Respondent Out
line the Course Of the
Defense.
Judge Peters Grants Every Opportunity
to the Criminals to Prove Their
lnnocenSe Of the Charge
Against Them,
But the Evidence Of the Prosecution Com
pleteS a Perfect Chain Of Solid
Links which will be
Hard to Break.
Foster Pleads Guilty and Whitney. Not
Guilty to the Charge of Robbiug
Old Peter Bennett.
Foster Pleads Guilty and Whitney, Not
Guilty to the Charge of Robbing
Old Peter Bennett.


special 10 the keDnebec journal.
BANGOR, Feb. %.
/ Weaving webb of testimony about
them which they can never break through, "
is what John Harvey is reported as saying
concerning the work of the prosecution.
And true it is that the twenty-four witnesses
brought forward by the prosecution thus far
have come onto the stand in such order that
their separate testimonies have linked togeth-
er in "A chain of evidence that has seemed to
grow into a connected narrative, apparently
more truthful with each chapter. The Jour
nal reporter learned from an interview with
a prominent individual that he had good reas-
on for asserting that the Grand Jury, which
indicted the prisoners, considered that there
was ample testimony in two witnesses alone
to convict them. Mrs. Miller and Mrs.
Cleaves in their testimony yesterday, created
deep impression on the minds of the audi
ence. And yet there is an uneasiness in the
public mind caused by the ignorance of what
the defendants have in reserve with which to
meet such damaging testimony. Various ru-
mors are atloat concerning the alibis, the sui
eide theories, etc, which some assert the de
PENDANTS will attempt to prove. Some go so far
as to say that Mr. Barker will show that he
can in very few minutes put himself in the
position in which Mr.. Barron was found.
There is doubt but that Mr.. Barker will make
as strong a case as possible, but whether this
kind of defense will pay or not, is hard to
tell. What will be the course of the defense
will be seen very sooon perhaps; for although
ty witnesses, yet it is believed that they will
close their testimony for the present today.
With the usual regularity of official rou-
tine duties, at quarter before nine. the
prisoners were brought into court looking
much better than on any previous morning
of the trial. This morning Mrs. Barron sat
directly behind Stain and Cromwell, and
close to them. When the court opened Mr..
Barker called attention to the matter of dep
ositions of witnesses who could not appear,
aud said that he hoped the counsel for the
prosecution would prepare interrogations FOR
those witnesses. Attorney Appleton replied
that though the counsel for the prosecution
wished to extend all courtesies possible, yet
in the present circumstances it was almost
impossible for the prosecution to spend the
time necessary for such work. Mr., Barker
stated that it was impossible for the witness
es to come on account of sickness, one in
Medfield being i'll, and others in Dexter be-
ing confined to the house. The prosecution
said that these witnesses were the most i'm
portant that the defense had, aud it would
he proper that they should appear
IN court The court decided that every
means should be used to bring DIR. Springall
of Dexter into court. For those who were
positively unable to be present some means
must be taken to get their testimony. and 1t
would be fitting that some person represent
ing the prosecution should visit them and
put oral questions to the parties, and if nee
essary to bring this about, the court might
adjourn for time. Mr.. Appleton stated
that if these parties had been i'll for long
!
this important iuncture before bringing the
matter to the attention of the court The coun-
sci for the prosecution were given leave
to withdraw for consultation. While this
was takisg place Stain looked stolidly at the
! iurv and seemed to sizing them up in his
mind. Cromwell kept up brisk conversa-
ton with his wife The fair sex. and there
were a large nnmber present. chatted and
discussed bonnets. At ten minutes past
eleven the council returned the court.
The first witness called by the government
was Thomas Bicknell. who lived in Dexter
on the day of the tragedy. He testified that
he saw two strangers at ) O'Clock on that
dav. standing in the banks entrance, one
wearing brownish coat, and being of sandy
complexion. The second man was partly be-
hind the door, putting on his overcoat. STAIN
here stood up in court Il have no doubt.
said the witness, ''that this is the man saw
in the bank door" Cross-examination.-'
took my impression of the man a. | rode by
20 feet away and have retained it ever since
He had full beard. | don't swear positive
" that Stain was the man ! saw. but | am
quite certain that he was. | knew the mar
about as quick as put my eye on him at the
Exchange Hotel in Dexter.
Charles l.. Winslow, of Dexter. next ties
tilted. Il resided in Dexter ON February -
1876, and was passing down the street by
the bank between and & 7. NJ. | heard 3
noise, and looking round saw man step on
: the lower stair into the landing of the stair
way leading to the bank. He was dressed II
dark ~lothing.*
Hartwell a. johnson testified that he wa
in Dexter on February %, 1875, and on tina
day he went TO the post office between > ane
ID p NJ. As | came out. he continued
..and went down the sidewalk | saw I'VE
strangers passing along the middle OF th'
street. | overlook and went by them, look
ing at them several times. The one neares
me wore a dark brownish coat. and the oihel
dark colored coat. Both had on sloucl
hats. have no doubt that the prisoners
the bar are men saw. | noticed Mr.. Win
slow about moment before | saw the men
Roth men seemed TO have their left hand
: across their chests, and the outside MAJ
seemed to b. carrying small valise on tn
other side from me-" ss-examination.-
II identify Mr. Stain here as the man wear
ing the brownish coat and moustaehe-
. cannot tell whether he had a full beard,
that the second man had any at all. VII