Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-26
A REMARKABLE CASE.
which Crew Out OF Suite for $500


Special TO the heaEebec Journal,
SkowEEGAs, Apr 25.
i preliminary hearing was held here re-
Gently in a matter which bids fair to be one
of the most interesting criminal cases in the
county for macy year.. The case has his
tory that is worth considering Ii is as fol-
lows November, %. 1864. David II. Carson
Of Athens, hired Of Aionzo Noyes two hun
bred dollars giving his note therefor. In
about three years Noyes sold the note to
Timothy Eaton also of Athens, who soon
aftef presented it for payment which was
refused. Eaton therefore brought suit, and
suit after suit has followed until more than
twenty actions have been brought upon both
sides and the litigation has continued without
Interruption for twenty -one years. In 1873
Carson and fiz son were Indicted for perjury
committed at one Of the trials, and Carson
was convicted and sent TO State Prison, but
was soon parioned bs Coy. Peri,am. Eaton
died in 1874 and the litigation descended to
two Of his heirs, Eastman Hathorn and wife,
who are the moving parties in the present
prosecution. At least five Of the actions
haze been to the Law court besides two or
three petitions Tor review. J. >. Abbot of
Boston, ii. & W. j. Know ltOn of Portland.
j. II. Webster, Hon. Stephen ID. Lindsey,
Hon. VIM. Folsom, Judge Artemus Libby
Hon. ID b. Stewart. Baker, Baker { Cor
Rish, Hon. :. ;. Brown, Danforih & Gould,
Merrill Coffin, Walton 4 Walton, aud a
score Of other legal lights have engaged one
time or another upon these cases.
Finally in July, 1886, Carson paid to the
plaintiffs s525 which, it va. supposed. prac-
tically ended the whole matter. Not so how
ever. Carsou talked ugly, threatening re-
venge and when, on Oct. 22nd, 1883, Mr..
Hathorns buildings upon place adjoining
certain that Carson was at the bottom of it.
Oct 18th, 1887 barn upon another adjoin-
ing farm OF Mr.. Hath0rl. was burned, and
then people felt still surer that '.Old David
was carrying out his threats
Popular suspicion was almost unanimous
in pointing to one Walter Holt as the tool of
Carson in doing this nefarious work Holt
and his father went to Athens to live in a
house built by Carson for them Just after the
first fire. Both father and son had served
terms at Ihonaston and were supposed capa-
bic of anything a short tine ago young
llolt was taken sick and died March Both.
Before dying he confessed to his wife and
mother 10 'hing the Hath
orn buildings and three others before
he went to Athens one set of these other
buildings were in Alton. The story of
Walters confession soon reached Mr.. Hath
horn and not long after Holt senior confessed
his Knowledge Of the affair which was con
siderable, and soon the whole thing was out.
Beside burning the buildings Holt was to
poison llathorns stock, and Carson
furnished him "a hottie OF
strychnine for that purpose which
was produced in court yesterday The
judgement of the court WAS that the prisoner
recognize for appearance at the September
term of court which he did. Twenty-one
years of litigation, three THOUSAND dollars OF
costs, one term of State prison, and a fair
prospect of another which will practically bt
tor life and all about "A note for 500. Sure
ly here is a chance for each one to morale,
for himself upon the unprotitablencss OF
litigation