The Portland daily press., 1888-08-23
PETER BENEFITS STOLEN THOUSANDS.
Or. Weed Pleads Not Guilty in court
at Bangor.
Clarence whitney, One Of the Rob-
bers. Creates a Sensation
BY Appearing as a Witness Against
the Defendant.

seat in the prisoners D0x, the same calm,
cool and collected man he was when arrest
ed. AS no jury had been drawn at the time.
he sat there with his bead resting upon his
hand. He looked as neat as did the Judge or
any other gentleman in the house, being ar
rayed in neat blue coat and vest with light
pants, and wearing gold-bowed glasses and a
flowing beard. Mrs. Weed, her daughter
and lady friend came in soon after. and
then the juries were called Here Judge
Emery announced that he should depart
from the usual custom, and should address
them for short while.
He said, in substance, that their duty was
solemn one. In this county the past year,
offences have been committed which have
given rise to much discussion and much feel
ing. Our government is one of law, and not
OF discretion, however, and every man should
have his rights, and each officer should have
his duty only, regardless OF tie Mn5fe 'ffegdf6fs
Once there was citizen who found much
fault, and thought the times were sadly out
of joint. On being asked what he would
first do If he was given full power to regulate
society and the law, he answered, after
thinking awhile, "Well, / guess would re-
sign" -.
as department of justice and not to ques-
tion nor criticise the law as made. We are
not here to bring in our own opinions. For
us, whatever is lawful is right. Sympathy
must not come in here. You are to answer
upon your oaths upon the facts as presented.
Ii you find man guilty you are to say so.
You are to deal with human beings and with
human vices. Everything will be clouded,
and you will be Obliged to find and let in the
sunlight of truth. Find it solely from what
appears here. Don't talk outside. The ac-
cused has right to hear every word you
hear and you must not listen to public Opin-
ion. Never mind the newspapers. You bet
ter not read them. l shall d 500, but do not
expect they win be correct. The suggestions
in them should not influence you. The judge
was little severe ON the reporters, more so
than he intended to be because he recalled
the jury after they had taken their seats,
and then said he did not mean to say that
the reporters and editors would not tell the
truth and give only fair accounts. but said
they could not know all the facts as
well as could juryman, and he simply
wanted to leave the impression that the pub
lie and the accused would feel better salts
ned with the verdict, If they knew the press
did not exert any influence on it, Make all
witnesses feel they are being heard, by Civ
ing your attention. Then the accused will
feel as though the trial had been fair. Don't
discuss the case among yourselves, and then
til you have heard all the evidence Remem-
Der you are here for high and holy purposes,
and jurors, like Caesars wife, should be
above suspicion. 1t is an awful thing for an
innocent man TO be convicted Of crime, and
it is an awful thing for wicked man to go
accused are innocent or guilty.
DIR. Weed was arraigned at 3.55 and it took
eight minutes to read the indictment, there
being about 1900 words in it. In clear tones
then taking his black plug hat, seated him
self with Messrs. Crosby, Stearns and Laugh
lin.
The jury in the case is made up as follows
Charles M. Coyell. 0rrington; Hiram F.
Hart, Holden; George W. Pullen, Brewer;
Corinna; Alfred II. Rowe, Patten; NJ. ID.
Strout, Bradford; Levi A. Lovejoy, Charles
ton; George A. Larrabee, Kingman; John
f. Towle. Veazie: Jethro S. Goodwin, Lin
coin; Alpheus o. Freeze, Alton.
The case was continued in the Supreme
Court this morning. County Attorney
Appleton occupied about an hour in clos
ing his opening argument for the govern
ment. He said that the government would
show that in May, 1887. Clarence Whitney
was for the first time introduced to the pris-
oner, either in Weeds office, or else he visit
ed it subsequently, and that Weed then and
there submitted to him the plan and scheme
to rob Peter Bennett. Soon after whitney's
return to New York he received letter
from Weed, asking him to come down or
send some men down to execute this enter
prise against the Bennett money. In conse-
quence Whitney sent two men, who then
came into the State for the first time in their
lives, for this purpose only. A despatch
was sent to Weed from New York on the
day these men started, the despatch being
signed "Colenel," and written in way that
could only be understood by the sender and
receiver. A letter was also sent to Weed,
giving him information whereby he could
identify the men on their arrival.
The men came to Pittsfeld, where they
left the train by previous arrangement, in
the night, walked to Newport, expecting to
meet Weed with a lantern upon the track.
Did not meet HIM and went TO his house, hav-
ing plan of the town which had been fur
nished them, with the location of his house
and office marked on it. Reached his house
about four o'clock in the morning, satisfied
him of their identity and of their proposed
connection with this enterprise. Weed gave
them the keys of his Office and sent them
there, We shall put witness upon the
stand who was never there before nor since,
but who will thoroughly describe the prem
ises. He will tell also why the job was not
consummated at that time. Immediately on
their return to New York letter after letter
came from Weed to Whitney not to send any
men from New York but to come himself
and bring. good man with him to get this
money, which was as easy as picking it up in
the street.
On the second day of December, in re-
sponse to this letter of Weeds, who was the
promoter Of this whole enterprise, and the
instigator, who was the soul and brains OF
the enterprise, Whitney did leave New York.
taking man with him to consummate the
enterprise. On the morning Of Dec. Sd he
sent despatch to Weed from Exeter, N. H.,
while en- route. This despatch was signed
Colonel d Co." and it was put into the
hands Of Weed. Mr.. Appleton then detailed
the circumstances of the crime, and the SUBJ
sequent events leading to the arrest Of Dr.
Weed.
The first witness examined for the gov
ernment was Thomas w. Baldwin, civil
engineer Of Bangor, who explained the plan
Oh Bennetts premises and dwelling. Then
Peter Bennett himself took the stand ank
occupied the time up to adjournment in tell.
ing the story of the burglary even to minute
details. The cross examination was very
long and tedious, not one additional facl
| being brought out.
At the afternoon session of the court, the
first witness called was Stillman e. Dyer, Of
| Etna, who testified to being called to Ben
nett's house on the night OF the robbery and
| finding Mrs. Bennett in bed and Bennett sit
| ting up, covered with blood and wounds
Blood was on the floor as well and the tabl,
was tipped over. He saw the revolver an(
dark lantern and straps Of red leather. He
| was there when DIR. Harvey arrived, DIR
| Weed coming about half an hour later Ben
| nett had q cut on the nose, one over the eve
| and two or three on the back of the head
| he saw no appearances Of intoxication in DIR
| Weed.
r. ii. Mitchell of Etna, testified to pick
| ing up ten dollar bill on the track th,
morning after the robbery.
Arthur A. Caverly, of East Newport, wa
called. He went to DIR. Weeds and wa
| told that he was out of town at Detroit III,
| then went after DR.. Harvey and then wen
| 10 Mr. DOblis and with him went to Ben
| nett's. He saw DIR. Harvey and DIR. Weed
| there. Weed did not render any assjstanc,
| in dressing the wounds of Bennett. Late
| the witness found revolver in the road anC
| gave it to Sheriff Brown. He identified tn,
| revolver shown in court as the one found by
| him.
DR.. Harvey testified to being called to at
| tend Mr.. Bennett, DR.. Weed, who was hi,
| family physician, being away. Weed cam
later and remained while he dressed th
wounds. Weed rendered no assistance bu
| answered questions asked him about tn
| manner of dressing:
| William H. Mitchell, station agent and
| operator at Newport, testified to receiving
| despatch directed to Weed, dated June q
| 1887. The county attorney offered copy O
the despatch in evidence. The attorney
for the defence objected and the court re
served its decision upon the point.
George l.. Rand testified to receiving
message for DR.. Weed, December 8, 1887, a
| follows:
EXETER, N. H., Dec 8, 1887.
To DR.. G. r. Weed, Net0port:
Forward veterinary doings today, as per order
| Col Co.
Witness delivered the message IN M,
Marsh to carry TO DIR. Weed.
Mr. Auren B. Marsh testified to deliverin
the message to DR.. Weed that dav. IN
knew nothing of the contents, as it wa
sealed.