Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-06-26


station. Didn't feel any jar of engine ~ II
running over any object. Was running at
the time about thirty miles an hour Found
nothing on his engine Afterwards. Mr.. T.
NJ. Files. fireman on the same train, testiAed
to the same. Mr.. H p. Lowell testified as
to the finding of the body. Body was lying
lengthwise between the rails of the main
track, head south and feet north. Came di-
rectly back and notified the deputy marshal.
When on his way down the first time passed
man near the watering tank who was COM
ing toward the city. The stranger had on
| light pants and dark coat; had no beard
| Mr.. H. NJ. Breen testified that first time
he saw Britt Saturday evening was about &
o'clock About quarter of ten saw . man
come down Court street aud go down the
track Saw that he staggered little. Fol.
lowed him; caught up with him about down
to Young's house. Asked him if he wasn't
but he was going right home and could take
care of himself, Witness walked along with
him -four or five rods. Had quite q talk
with him. When he left him he shook
hands with him and bid him good night.
When the officer shook hands with him he
said, Now, Jake, take care of yourself and
don't get ON the track and get killed, the
same as your uncle Charles did," Britt
laughed and said he guessed not; he was
capable of taking care of himself. Britt's
head seemed all clear. Mr. Breen had seen
him quite drunk before, but never saw him
down. He thought that the Britt which was
said to have been seen on the street after
that time was another man. When he re-
turned he met a Mr.. Corson on the crossing.
Spoke to him and passed on. Didn't hear
any noise on the track again that night.
Heard the noise of parties fishing In the
river.
Andrew Bolton. cousin of the de-
ceased, testified to seeing Jacob Britt
about 900 Saturday night. Gus
Corson and Frank Kimball were with him
lown by Jenkins fish market.
Asked him if he wanted a drink.
roli them no. Didn't drink with them.
Charles Britt was with witness at the time.
Talked few minutes and he (witness) and
Charles left them and went up over Court
Hill to witness house, where they staid over
an hour. Soon after, Corson and Kimball
came up. All but Kimball came down street
about IL o'clock came down to see II they
couldn't get any thing to drink, but didn't sue
ceed. Had about pint when they first went
up to the house. Witness and Britt return
ed. Left Corson by the end Of the bridge.
This was about l2 o'clock. Found Kimball
talking with John Doherty when they got
back. They all came back down street
to the depot where Kimball left them.
They sat and talked. Then Mr.. Breen came
up and told Britt he'd better go home. Chas.
Britt, however, stopped all night with him.
About twenty minutes of eight heard the news
of J. Britt's death. Ate his breakfast and
went down. Charles Britt left his house
about o'clock Never had any trouble with
deceased. Hadn't told anybody that he saw
deceased in town after 10 o'clock. Said
Fred Britt told him that Arthur Baker told
him he saw deceased with Al. Hamilton by
the toll bridge about II 80 Saturday evening.
Didn't know deceased to have any enemies
in this town; not up this way. Deceased
had not been in his house since last winter.
Wasn't down the railroad track Saturday
night,
Chas. E. Hammond then sworn and testi
fed that he lives in the last house on Capital
street by the railroad. Had been out after a
doctor and while going up the hill from the
track heard an outcry. Anxious to reach
leave home again that night. Near ten
o'clock when he heard the outcry. Thought
noise was on the tract or pretty near the
track. Sounded like yell from a man in
distress. Thought there were more voices
than one. The yell sounded above the place.
Charles Britt cousin TO deceased, sub
stantally corroborated Bolton in his test-
mony. Had heard Charles Thomas say that
if Jake Britt didn't stop his mouth about him
he'd make him stop it. Thinks Algie Dud-
ley was an enemy to Jake.
Charles Tapley testified that his home
was in Calais. Is stopping at o. 2. Howes.
Retired between 10 and IL o'clock Saturday
night. Was awake when the IL o'clock
train went down. Was awaked later by the
sound of men quarreling on the railroad
track. Didn't get up then. The noise lasted
some five minutes. The men were evidently
going by very slowly on the railroad track,
moving along down.
The inquest then adjourned to Thursday
night at o'clock.