Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-04-16
HIS STORY.
Charles l. Beal TeStifeS in Ills
Own Defense.
Did Not Poison that WhiSkey or
Any Other Whiskey.
Never Asked for Strychnine in NcManuS
Drug Store.
The Government Introduces Further EYi-
dence, which the Judge Admits Un-
der Objection from the
Defense.
The Court Room Again Solidly Packed
by Crowd Of Interested Specta-
tors-Opinion More in Favor OF
the Prisoner.

the Prisoner.
The interest in this mysterious murder
trial continues undated. The testimony
thus far brought in by the prosecution has
called forth different views. 1t has seemed
to convince the audience in greater degree
than the members of the bar, of the guilt of
the young man. Quite a lively discussion of
the question INDUCED in by groups of
persons about the Court House Saturday
morning. Mrs. Beal was not present when
the court was called to order in the morning.
She came In later, however, and took seat
beside the prisoner, first greeting him with a
kiss.
George Beal resumed the stand. who
was in the store with you the last Sunday
that you drank this wbiskey?" asked the gov
ernment. 81 don't remember of anybody
except John Prescott" was the answer. Wit
ness also stated that he didn't think he said
before the coroner's jury that any one else
was there.
Cross-examined-Did know whether
there any talk in the family before his
fathers death about the settlement Of the es-
tate.
Ira w. Bowdoin was then called. Stated
that he worked for Mr.. Beal six weeks last
winter, making hoops. Was some acqu Amt
ed with Charles. Knew him by sight. Heard
| Charles ask if he (Charles) could carry on
the business if his father should step out.
This was in the hoop shop. Thought Nc
Kinney, Weymouth's boy and Charles, Frank
Clement, Alfred Bowdon and George were
present. Didn't know whom Charles asked
this question Of.
Marshal W. Hall was the next witness
called. | worked for Beal all last winter.
Monday morning after the funeral Charles
came into the back shop and
said, "Well, boys, the old gentleman
run the business" He says 1--WE won't have
any trouble. want you to do the best you
can and work for mothers interest.
Mr.. Frank Clement was then called. Heard
| Charles say that his father had a barrel of
whiskey and he supposed that if he drank
the whole it would kill him.
Cross examined-He said that he had drank
whskey with George in the store out of a
dark colored flask. Drank with George for
the last time about two weeks before Bears
death.
Leonard ID. Carver then called
! knew Charles l.. Beal. Saw him in Water
| vile the hcnnPDtc drug store some
time after the first day of February, but not
long after, saw him in the evening. Was
sitting by the stove. door opened and Charles
came in and spoke to Mr.. McManus as if
acquainted. Asked Mr. McManus if he had
any strychnne McManus told him he had
but didn't sell it without prescription from
physician A sked how much IA man could
take of it. McManus laughed and told him
him not more than as much as
dose of salts Then talked with
| McManus in low tone. Asked
for it again and was refused. BY Cd the
old man will be surprised when he gets
| dose of that he said As he went out. Charles
afterwards told witness that he hadn't been in
any of the drug stores in Watervllle.
Cross examined--ln his judgement it must
have been nearly uinc O'Clock when Charles
came in Couldn't tell the color of clothing
| Charles then wore. Scarf attracted his at
tcntion but couldn't swear to the color, couldn't
swear whether he wore "a cap or hat. The
affair didn't occur to him at the inquest till
the latter part. Didn't ask the boy whom h,
was going to kill in the drug store that even
| ing.
Counsel for the defense insisted on the
question whether McManus didn't have the
reputation of selling liquor at retail.
Witness was asked if he hadn't heard peo
pie, when calling for liquor, to call for
poison Said he hadn't. Didn't think the
boy referred to liquor that night
Mr.. McManus was then called. Been a
| druggist nine years, two years in Watervilie.
| Had known Charles Beal some more than
year Thought that Charles came in between
| : and . o'clock in the evening. Charles
came in and asked for strychnine and asked
what the proper dose would be. McNlanus
| 81, hap lat n
man had been playing tricks on the boys and
he'd teach him better or words to that effect.
| When Charles went out he said 1.-The old man
will be surprised when he gets that,
Cross-examined-Th Thought Charles wore
dark coat and dark muller. Thought he
wore cap. Didn't sell or give him any
| strychnine Didn't remember of seeing
Charles talking with Mr. Stevenson on the
iay of the inquest Sold strychnine when
pcope wanted it to kill crows or animals.
| Didn't make any inquiries of Charles 81
didn't suppose he could get it; said the wit
ness. Didn't notify any officer or person
about Charles calling for the strychnine.
! The witness was askeo
if people didn't call for strych-
nine when they meant whisky
Said he didn't remember OF such
talk outside this trial. Had seen Charles in
|
store in Clinton Was as positive that he
saw Charles in Browns hotel at Clinton in
December as he was that he saw him in his
drug store in Waterv,lle. Thought he saw
| Charles on the street in Waterville last
| Novemher. Didn't remember of meeting
| Charles either on the train or at the Elm
wood House.
Redirect-Prisoner stood up and was
identified by the witness as the fellow who
came to his drug store and asked for strych-
| nine.
Recess.
After the recess George was recalled to
the stand bv Judge Hall Had talked Win
Attorney Carleton since his opening ADDRESS
Carleton had asked him If his opening argu
| ment was about ri ght. Witness toid MIN tnat II
was. but he had varied from the truth IN
some places: that Charles the day ne was
sick with the poison asked nm II ne ha. oee, =
drinking. not. if he had been drinking OF
that whiskey in the cellar as s'a'e" "
Carleton in his opening
! Professor Robinson was then called to the
stand Was questioned about the sweeten-
inc he found i'm the flask. Though uhaoie
20 saw whether il was sugar or moiasses YET
thought it was moiasses
On cross-examination-sai 1t was Possi
ble to ascertain whether the swee'ehihg WAS
molasses or sugar, but that he didn't make
that test. The counsel for the prosecution
here rested their case
!, Judge whitehouse here recalled oa..el
and McMauus and asked them a question
which appeared to have great weight IN me
case His Honor asked Mr. carver
what appearance Charles gave, whether soa .sl
or intoxicated, the evening he came mo 'ne
drug store at waterville. Answer; ne ap,
: peared to be partially intoxicated hau
very red face AID vhar
he was brought in the judge asked HIM
similar question Witness said he thought
the prisoner had been drinking. ms
0 ra;t wasa little uncertain and his voice
i;,,ie thick and as he went though the dooi
something more than year: Never had any my
talk with him before the night he was IN 'n'