Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-08-27
DR.. WEED
DIR. WEED
Occupies Whole Day in TeSdfyins.
Witness Admits Himself to be q Confirmed
Topper,
But Claims He Can Prove an Aibi on
the Bennett Robbery.

cerning his whereabouts on the day preced
ing and the day of the robbery. On the Sun
day of the day of the robbery, was at hom'
early in the morning, and drove before noon
to John Broom's, in Benefits neighbOrhood
where he remained for dinner, got home
about four o'clock and entered his Office.
Had been drinking considerably during the
day and was intoxicated. After arriving al
the office, Clarence Whitney came in and in
quired for Judson Oakes and then went out,
witness did not know, before, that Whitney
was in town, and did not see him afterwards
went home to tea at 5 o'clock and his wife
upbraided him because he was intoxicated.
After tea she wanted him to stay at home
but he persisted in going to his office and laid
down on the lounge in the back room and
went asleep. S. +. Sawyer and F. 5. Grant
aroused him during the evening, and at nine
O'Clock d. F. Gilman came after him to go
and see his sick wife. Witness went and
staid until eleven o'clock then went home.
His wife made him retire and the next thing
he knew was when he heard the conversation
| of his wife and messenger from Peter Ben
netts. He persisted in getting up and going
to Benefits, although his wife objected He
never gave Bennett medicine but once in his
life, and then it contained no opiate. Whit
| ney's testimony in regard to conversations
with witness in jail in which the witness de-
nounced him for exposing him, was untrue.
| In the cross-examinatlon, witness said he
graduated from the American Medical Uni
yersity of Philadelphia in 1870. Had been
Peter Bennetts family physician for year
previous to the robbery, but when called to
BENEFITS house it was to see his wife; did
not know that Bennett kept his money in a
NJ. A. Hewitt, druggist at Newport, intro
duced Whitney to him positive it was not
Judson Oakes, as Whitney testified; never
saw James A. Foster until he saw him in
court. Witness attention was called to the
plan of his office and house, drawn by Foster,
and to Fosters description of it, and he said
it was perfect
ON Saturday, August Sd, was in his office
all day and in the evening. Several persons
were there, whom witness named. Sad he
never told the officers of the law about
Whitney being in his Office Sunday alter
noon, but could not tell why he did lot
Inc Scotch cap that Foster wore at the time
of his arrest and which he said DIR. Weed
loaned him, was tried on witness and found
to hit perfectly. coat found IN Dr. Weeds s
back office and having blood stains was pro-
duced and the doctor said he thought the
stains were caused by his wiping surgical
instruments. Foster says the doctor wore
this coat down to Bennett's that night.
In the afternoon Dr. Weed took the
stand promptly at 80 and his cross-examina-
ton was resumed He said that on Dec.
he had buffalo overcoat, heavy ulster and
two scotch caps at the ofhce. one was a
blue cap with an ear covering and the other
was gray Scotch cap. Thought there were
three other hats around the office, one of
them a white felt hat and the other a black
silk. Witness described the circumstances
of his arrest. Witness said he had never
paid taxes on any real estate taxed to him.
The defense objected to these questions
aud the county attorney said he expected to
prove that on Dec. last DIR. Weed owned
no property, and was in straitened circum-
stances, and since then has paid sums CON
sistent with financial ability. Mr.. Stearns
said it was mmaterial because the defense
could not account for every farthing used by
the respondent. The judge admitted the
question Witness said he owned as person
al property his horse and wagon, surgical
instruments, library, etc. Said he was not
aware there was mortgage on his horse and
wagon held by T.. w. Shaw and recorded.
There had been but his note. held by MIR,
Shaw, had been paid, and he supposed that
the mortgage was discharged His home
place was encumbered to the extent of 500,
the mortgage being held by Mrs. Robinson of
pittstield. Paid her $50 in January upon
this mortgage. Had no income at the time
of his arrest except that derived from his
practice Knew Is. G.. Addition of this city
and bad transacted business with him since
Dec. L. Addition held notes against the wit
ness and witness had paid two of them since
the date mentioned, They were notes given
to j. w. knowlton. Cannot remember
whether the notes were demand notes or
on time.
Witness was asked the names of the diff
ferent counsel he had employed, but Mr.
Stearns decidedly objected. The county
attorney said that he wanted to show that
since December 4, witness had employed
large number of couseel, for man without
funds Judge Emery said it was quite well
known that many lawyers were employed on
credit, and he ruled the question out, while
there was a laugh in the courtroom.
On the day after the robbery witness was
at home all day. Stayed at home until
Wednesday right, when he passed tine night
in Bangor principally to buy cloak for his
little girl and make purchases. He had no
professional engagements out of Newport
Sunday night, December 4. Did not remem-
Der of seeing a man named Chester Grlndle
on that evening or that he wanted witness
to make a call at Nat Philbrooks and that
witness told him that he had other business
Did not tell him so either.
The county attorney said that this would
eud the cross examination.
On the redirect examination the witness
said that il was at another time, Just when he
did not know, that Grindle came to"get him
to call at Nat Philbrook's. Did not mean to
saw on cross examination that no one was in
his office Saturday afternoon. Joseph l..
Eaton and Mr.. Blanchard were there. DR..
Weed identified three caps which he said
were in his office at the time of his arrest /;
bad had no other caps within the past three
wears Officers showed him no warrant when
he was arrested, and he did not ask for one.
The cross examination was resumed. Dr.
Weed tried on the three caps and said that
neither one of them fitted any better than
the one he tried on in the forenoon and which
he is reported To have loaned Foster.
| This closed the examination of DR.. Weed,
and Mr.. Stearns asked for an adjournment
until Monday morning. The Judge asked If
they would be ready to work full hours next
week, and they answered that they would
/ The judge cautioned the jury against talking
about the case Sunday and the court adjourn
ed.