Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-23
AWAITING TRIAL.
Young Heal of Clinton Lodged in Jail

Young Beal OF Clinton Lodged in Jail
Deputy Sheriff J. NJ Hill of Watervill,
arrived in the city on the ten o'clock traiI
yesterday with Charles BeaI of Clinton whs
rests under the terrible suspicion of havin,
poisoned his father, and at the same tim,
nearly causing the death of his brother, b.
placing strychnine in bottle Of whiskey
Beal is young man about twenty years o.
age. He was somewhat stability dressed. il
frock coat of brownish material, ligh
soft felt hat, blue wooden shirt and shoes il
decidedly dilapitated condition
because the warmth Of the da,
rendered such garment unnecessary.
must be said in the young mans favor tina
there was nothing in his appearance which
indicated that he would be capable of per
forming the terrible deed of which he il
suspected He is quiet appearing fellow
with by no means evil-looking countenance
His face is an honest one, and his appear
ance is not that of desperate character b,
any means. Immediately upon his arriva
here he was lodged in Jail where he will doubt
les remain till the April term of court.
In the afternoon he was seen by Journa
reporter who asked him what he had to say
concerning the suspicion which had fastened
upon him.
II can only say" he replied THAT ar
innocent. / do not believe that any one
who knows me can believe me capable OF
such an act" He spoke with evident emo
ton the tears filled his eyes and his voice
was choked.
Was there any bad feeling between your
self and father"
much of my father any boy could and
have nothing to complain of regarding hi:
treatment of me"
Was there any unpleasantness between
yourself and your brother?"
None whatever"
Were you obliged to remain at home
against your wishes"
mo, was free to go when | desired
Father exercised no restraint over me what
ever"
The scribe would have carried the con
became retieent and said excuse me, a
moment / will come back in a minute and
withdrew into a neighboring cell with a
fellow prisoner, with whom he conversed in
low tones, and whose advice he as apparent
ly asking. After moment he returned ana
said quietly, You must excuse me from
talking about this .4iideed"he added while the
tears came into his eyes IL do not feel much
like talking today. | am in the hands of my
council. He will be here in day or so and
then may be willing to say something
An Augusta gentleman who was an own
cousin to the poisoned man, expressed a
strong belief in the boys innocence. II do
not believe him capable of such an act" he
said neither can see any reason why he
should desire such a terrible thing as the
death of his father. Both he and his father
where at my house last fall. They were on
the best of terms The boy seemed to think
great deal of his parents. His father
talked with me concerning his boys and |
know that his heart knew no difference be-
tween them.
The afiiction which has come upon this
family is peculiarly sad. only a week
before his death, Mr.. Beal buried his mother
who lived with him, and now the whole
family is broken up.
Up in the office of the Hotel North the
journal man found Deputy Sheriff Hill. Mr..
Hill went to Clinton Monday morning in
company with County Attorney Carleton and
remained through the inquest. The coro-
ner's jury remained in session till eleven
o'clock Monday night 1t was not till three
o'clock Tuesday afternoon that the evidence
was all in. And at four o'clock the jury af-
ter carefully considering all the bearings of
the case rendered unanimous decision.
Five minutes later young Beal was under
arrest. 1t is the report at Clinton that the
Young man has not borne the best of reputa-
tons His father did not place any conf
dence in him and never allowed him behind
the counter in the store. He employed him
rs teamster and never trusted him to han
die any money. The younger brother dis
PLAYED considerable business ability and was
employed as bookkeeper and salesman in
the store The older brother is said to have
cherished the feeling that he was crowded
ont and his brother was getting n much bet
ter show than himself. The result was that
he had number of different quarrels with
his brother, which resulted. about fortnight
before the tragedy in the old mans turning
him of
when Deputy Sheriff Hill searched young
Beale's trunk he found it to contain num-
Der of cheap photographs.
The result of the trial will be awaited with
interest, and the community will hope that
this Young man may be cleared from the hor-
rible suspicion which evidently had great
weight with the coroner's jury.