The Portland daily press., 1890-03-13
Great Excitement at f FHsLiEIEs:
the Examination.

ROCHESTER,, N H., March 12-The pre-.
liminary hearing Of Isaac Sawtelle charged
with the murder of his brother Hiram began
here today before Justice Wentworth. An
immense crowd filled the room and with
difficulty order was maintained. The ex-
element was intense when Sawtelle was
brought into court. All witnesses not on
the stand were excluded from the room dur
ing the giving Of testimony. County At
tOrney Kivel opened the case for the State
and Mrs. Jeannette Sawtelle, widow of
Hiram, was the first witness. She testified
as to the property trouble and the motive
that may have led to the commission of the
crime.
AT II recess was taken until 1.9O this
afternoon.
Mrs. Sawtelle resumed her testimony after
recess. She described the clothes worn by
Hiram when last seen here. The conversa-
tion with Isaac on his return from Rochester
was given. She asked him where Hiram
was, Isaac replying 80 help me God, have
not seen Hiram" Isaac then told witness
that Hiram had left her and gone West.
After this he told her various stories regard
ing Hiram, promising to hunt him up. Mrs.
Sawtelle here broke down and shed tears.
Resuming she testified to viewing the body
and was positive. that it was her late hus-
body by which she identified it. The shoes
were produced in court and identified as be-
longing to Hiram. She also Unidentified a
handkerchief and button sewn on the shirt.
On cross-examination by MIR. Edgerly Mrs.
Sawtelle testified to her marriage with
Hiram in Boston, having become acquainted
with him when u seamstress on Washington
street. She worked for Mrs. Otis at West
Newton, Mass, nine years. MY maiden
name" she said, was Jeanette Robinson.
Hiram and had one spat previous to our
marriage, but the engagement was not
broken off as result Of the same. My hus-
band kept fruit store on Washington street
during our engagement. 1 have had no
great trouble with Hiram since marriage.
Mrs. Sawtelle, resuming, question as to
the assault on Hiram by the witness was ex-
cluded by the Judge. She said: II have
not assaulted my husband since, and never
and my husband were not on friendly terms
when he was released from prison. He
never kissed or hugged Isaac. My husband
was not glad to see him when released. l
about Christmas time. received the same,
giving it to my husband. Hiram and
Isaac had words regarding the deed of
house to Isaac. Hiram said he would not
submit to the giving, of property to Isaac.
saying he would fight as long as he could.
He wished 1t to remain in his mothers hands
l had trouble with Hiram's mother, as did
Hiram. Hiram objected to my going to
Rochester in response to telegram, saying
it was scheme on Isaac's part. Isaac was
-N~ NSo%No oAoO
asked me to accompany him to Portlad, Of
fering to buy me sewing machine, and was
invariably urging me to meet him out Of the
state.
Questions regarding DIR. Blood and Ed
Russell were not allowed by the presiding
judge.
Edward Rollins, truckman, proved an
entirely new and valuable witness. He tes-
tilted that Isaac Sawtelle came to his house
at noon on February 9th, to engage board for
his daughter. She was to arrive on the af
ternoon train. When at the depot, on the
arrival of the afternoon train from Boston,
the witness saw the man he describes as Hi
ram Sawtelle, alight from the train. He was
met by Isaac, and they engaged In conversa-
tion.
A severe cross examination followed, but
the witness could not be moved.
Henry l.. Berry testified to selling pick,
shovel and axe to Isaac Sawtelle. When the
axe was produced In court, he recognized the
cost mark and figures on the same. He tes-
titled fully as to Isaac's purchasing the arti-
cles about 4.30 p. m, February 9TH. He took
particular note of the man as the witness
was never before requested to wrap up
shovel and pick.
At $50, adjournment was ordered until to-
panr