Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-12-01
ISAAC SAWTBLL
Says He Vas Present at Hiram's
Murder In Maine
But BE Did lot Commit the Deed.-.He
HDl Testify
Who Did. with All the Circumstances,
This Week.

CONCORD, N. IT,, NOV. 80 A heAilnl
on the petition for new trial in the cas-,
of Isaac B. Savtsll. occurred before As
sociate Justice Chase Of the Supreme
Court this afternoon. This morning hi
counsel, ]. A. Edgerly, Great Falls; ]. X
Worcester, Rochester, and G. 4. Haley
Biddsford. visited him in prison, when b,
signed and svore to an application for ,
new trial.
This, in brief, alleges that the verdict i,
wrong and against the weight Of evidence
that the murder Vas not committed il
New Hampshire, but was done in Maine
that his counsel, since his confinement, has
discovered new and material evidence fol
his defence. He also wrote, at theii
suggestion, the following, which was sworn
to before MIR. Edgerly:
II. IsaAc B. Sswtell, now confined in
state prison at Concord under sentence OF
death. depose and say On the fifth day OF
February, 1890. met my brother Hiram
+. Ssvtell, at the depot in Rochester,
about 80 O'Clock, a. near ~ l can recol.
lect. in the afternoon on the arrival Of the
train from Boston. | shook hands with
him and he, ss my request, went into the
ladies' room at the depot and waited while
| got team. l was at the depot with him
some three minutes before l started for
the team. went direct to SmArt's stable
and ordered the team.
After ordering the team went direct to
Wsllace's store and bought tools; took
tools and went direct to the stable again !;
put tools in back part Of top buggy and
then asked the stSblekeeper for blanket
which WAS given me. pu. it over the
tools and then drove direct to the depot for
Hiram. l don't think it took me more
than 20 to % minutes from the time first
left Hiram until l returned with the buggy
to depot, and Hiram got into buggy imme-
diately without my getting out Of the buggy.
sat on the right side and Hiram got In on
the left. Then drove directly to Sinclsir's
store in Essi Rochester, stopping nowhere
on the road. l saw no person / knew,
spoke to no one between the depot and
Sinclair's store except my brother Hiram.
had no pstol or other firearms with me,
heard none discharged. drove at mod
crate gait to Rochester. how long ii took
don't know. Several teams passed me and
| passed some on the way to East Roches.
ter. Am certain did not pass or meet any
ie ans loaded with boards or lumber of any
kind.
Arrived at Siuclair's store before 5
tell. but am sure it was not at sunset, for
am sure l saw the sun shining. Gave
Hiram reips, told him should not be long,
As | wished to buy something to cary up TO
the holGe and he asked me to hurry up.
Remained in store some ten minutes or
more, on account of Sinclair's inability to
At wick into lamp or find candle for me-
Bought lamp, had wick pus in and lamp
hlled; also some pens, ink, penbolder and
matches.
When returned to the buggy Hiram
wanted to know why had been gone SO
oDg. Told him becsuse the storekeeper
,orld not get the things sooner. Got into
,arri,ge on tide right. Took the reins from
Hiram and drove directly across the bridge
Ito Maine. Passed the house Of Mr.. Ran
Kin about 10, near SIS | Can state. Went
lirecty from there to the vacant house. |
IN my way from Sincisirs | met some
cams. Hiram and myself were talking in
general way and socially from Sinclairs
o the vacant house.
IL was cold riding. Hiram had gloves
IN and coat collar turned up, and we had
lie buffalo robe drawn up over our faces.
There was nothing in the buggy from the
ime left The depot till ! arrived at the
vcsnt house except the tools that I put in |
It Sua,ts stable, the buffalo aDd blanket, |
md no other persons in the buggy but my
elf and Hiram. l was present when the |
murder WAS committed in the State of
hsine, and am willing to testify fully in
els.ion to it, if | am permitted so to do.
(Signed), Isaac B. SAwrrLL
An affidavit Of Sawtell is to be taken, |
covering the circumstances OF the murder |
more fully, with the names Of those present
md by whom it was done. An ad djournment |
vas taken To enable his counsel 10 obtain |
his. They will 60 to the prison early in |
he morning and take Sswtel's ststemont
It length, although the names he msy give |
will be withheld from the public for pIu
Iehtial reasons. Judge Cbsse vii, transfer
he petition and papers to the full bench, |
nd it is possible Iast ihase and the afIi lsvits
Il three other persons will be read, the |
estimony Of the latter tending to show thst
lie evidence given by some Of the states
ritnessrs at tbs trial was erroneous.
Attorney General Barnard and Solicitor |
iivel Of Stafford county represented the
t,te. After q brief hearing before Judge |
;hase, Gen Barnard suggested that he
vould like to have further tima, and that
he hearing be had the latter part Of the
'eek. Sawtell will then appear in court
nd testify.