Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1891-01-01
FRED W. FOSTER
Isaac B. Sawtell Convicted of the Murder
of his Brother Hiram.

DOVER, \. H., Dec. %. Guilty of muir
der in the first degree" This verdict,
rendered early this evening against Isaac
B. Sawtell, and followed immediately by
the death sentence, brings to a close one
of the greatest o. New Hampshires muir
der trials, and convicts the accused of one
of the most deliberately planned. carefully
carried out, and in every way cold blooded
crimes for which a man was ever brought
to the bar of justice. "A fair trial and
just verdict" is the expression of opinion
from Judge Bingham. who sat upon the
bench, and it is an opinion echoed bv all
who have watched, studied or In any wav
given careful and unprejudced consider
alton of the case. The verdict was rem
dered by the jury after less than two hours
OF consideration, and upon only one point
was there disagreement, and that only
for short time. The jury never doubted
for moment as to who committed the
crime. but one of them did have some
question as to whether the murder was
committed in New Hampshire. A little
argument, however. brought this man into
line with his companions, and then the
rest was plain sailing and there remained
only the formal votes to be taken. This
done. word was sent to the Court that an
agreement had been reached, and within
fifteen minutes thereafter the formal an
nouncement had been made and sentence
pronounced in accordance Herewith.
1t was exactly 7.45 O'Clock as Isaac was
brought to his seat by the Sheriff, and
hardly moment later before the jury filed
in and took their usual places. Not one of
them looked at the prisoner, and if his
eyes were searching their faces for COM
fort or hope he could find little of either
therein. Justice Doe was the chief object
of their regard, and one could almost read
the verdict in the faces so studiously avoid
ing the pale one confronting them at their
left. The roll of the Jurors was called by
the Clerk, and after each one had answered
to his name Judge Doe said: ''Mr Fore
man, has the jury agreed upon verdct?"
1--WE have agreed" answered Foreman
Amasa w. Pike. What do the jury find
on the first count of the Indictment" was
the next question. I'VE find upon the first
count that the defendant is guilty." was
the firm reply. Guilty of what?" equity
of murder" 'Murder in what degree?'
''In the first degree" For a moment there
was not sound or a movement in the
court room. Not a muscle of the prisoners
face or figure moved AMI he sat as quietly
as if some one else than he had received
death warrant. A moment more passed,
when Attorney General Barnard, rising
with evident appreciation of the gravity
of the situation, said: MAY it please
your Honor it now becomes my duty to
move for sentence" Silence fell once
more on the court room as the Attorney
General resumed his seat, and it was
broken only by the. slight scratching of
Judge Does pen as he wrote the death
sentence after a brief conference with
Judge Bingham. Isaac whispered few
words to his counsel, and then turned his
back full upon the Clerk as he received the
written sheet from the Judge and rose to
read it. Isaac B. Sawtell," said the Clerk,
''the sentence by law upon you, convicted