St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-15
DID NOT COVER HIS TRACKS
A Complete Chain of Evidence
Against the New England

Cain.
The case is one of the most interest
ing in the criminal history of New En-
gland, and, although it has apparently
been shrouded in mystery from the
beginning, the work of the detectives
has been so thorough that COM
plete chain of evidence against the
prisoner. from the time of his leaving
his brother Hiram's house until the
finding OF the latter'S body, is laid bare,
and shows SO little attempt on Isaac's
part to cover his tracks. that it seems
strange that any one could have been
mVStlhei as to his intentions
or actions. In December last
Isaac b. Sawtelle was pardoned from
the state prison, where he had served
long sentence on three indictments for
rape. Since that time he has boarded
with his brother Hiram. in RoXbury,
Mass. The latter kept a fruit store on
Washington street, which, together with
his residence, had been owned by their
father, and was held in their mothers
name. Isaac
HAD DECEIVED HIS MOTHER
and induced her to transfer the property
to him, but Hiram put an Injunction
upon it. so that Isaac could not sell it.
The property is said to be worth from
$4,000 to $4,000. These transactions
have eau ed hard feelings between the
brothers, and it Is believed that i'm order
to remove every obstacle from his
path and to give him possession of the
property Isaac plotted to remove his
brother and the latter's entire family,
consisting of his wife, daughter aged
eight. son aged five and an infant.
Week before last Isaac asked Mrs. Saw
telie,s permission TO take one of the
children to Lowell. She refused.
the house and told Mrs. Sawtplle that
her husband had given him permission
to take the little girl to Lowell. snd the
mother finally allowed her to go with
him. When the father came home he
denied having given his consent for
her to go with her uncle. From
Boston Isaac aud the little girl went
to Lowell, staying until Monday, when
they went to Rochester, n. II. The
little girl claims that while at the latter
place her uncle attempted to poison her
with medicine and pills, but only with
the effect of making her sick. Then he
telegraphed to his brother Hiram.
in this city, that the little
ing him to come Immediately. This was
Feb. 4. The next morning a second
TELEGRAM came to the mother, urging
her TO come 10 Rochester, the infer
ency being that had she responded in
person, she too.
WOULD HAVE BEEN DISPOSED OF.
1t was finally settled that Hiram, the
father, should go alone, and he left Bos-
ton "Wednesday at l p. IN. From this
moment his movements became shroud-
ed in mystery, and he was never again
seen alive by his friends. The follow
ing day.. Thursday. Feb. 6, Isaac and
the former denied having seen
Hiram at all. Mrs. Sawte lie was sus-
picious of foul play, and accused Isaac
of putting his brother out of the way,
which he strenuously denied. Isaac re-
manned in this city until the following
Sunday, when he disappeared. Hiram's
absence was reported to the police on
Saturday. and on Monday, Feb. 10.
Special Officer Shields started
for Rochester, while search was
also begun in this city. From the in
vestigations made by the police it is
learned that on Wednesday, Feb. S.
Isaac Sawtelle hired team at Roch-
ester livery stable and met man at the
depot (Hiram, without doubt,). with
whom he drove away. Within half an
hour he returned alone with the team.
1t is believed by some that he
delivered Hiram into the keeping of his
confederates at this time. Later in the
afternoon, about O'clock. he purchased
Ratchet. pickaX and spade at hard
ware store; also canvas bag i'm which
to carry them. Then again hiring the
team, he drove off in the direction taken
in the morning, not returning until 9
at night. To inquiries as to his pur-
chase of a spade he replied that he in
tended to buy farm in the vicinity,
and
WISHED TO TEST THE SOIL.
1t seems that on his departure from
Boston the second time, Feb. CHE again
went to Rochester, where on Monday he
bought two tickets for Portland. His
companion may have gone there direct
ly, but Sawtelle did not. although he
reached there in the evening, where
he registered at the Falmouth house
as ~. Bridge, Dover" He was
assigned a room. and was not again
seen for two days. On Wednesday
stranger called at the hotel and inquired
for some one whose name the clerk
does not recolIect. Looking at the reg
lister the stranger ran down the names
until he came to that of 81.
Bridge" when he exclaimed:
That's the man I want" and
started off. No good des-