Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-18
SUPERIOR COURT.
April Term, Judge Hall Prssidi1E.

w. s. CRoArH. Clerk,
L. 7. CARLETON, County Attorney.
F. A. SNAIL, Stenographer.
FRIDAY, April II.
State vs.. Bickford, ct ais. The testimony
in this case was resumed this morning, the
county attorney continuing the cross exam.
ination of Bickford. Witness sail he had
brought the coat which was requested, and
upon suggestion of Mr.. Carleton be pro-
duced gray coat, with broad collar, and
put it on. The coat came down about 20
the hips. He testified that black soft hat
which he had there 10 court was the one be
had worn siuce last fall. Frank Perkins,
his cousin, who owned the light coat, had
been in the habit Of wearing witness's
clothes, ard witness was in the habit of
wearing Perkins temporarily. When Per-
kins went home to Oakland, shout a month
before the robbery, he left the coat which
had been producsd and q slouch hat. Had
never worn the hat that Perkins left. Had
put on that light coat before Perkins went
away, to step ou. into the dnoryard or for
some purpose like that. Had done that
once and perhaps more. After he went
away, witness did rot have it on until the
dar before he was arrested
Edward Smith, one Of the respondents,
testified that he was 90 years old ard came
from his native place, PoiDce Eiwfrds
Island some time last fall and went into
the woods to work, but on account of the
deep snow was discharged and came TO
Gardiner aud Randolph to seek work as q
| blacksmith, and hired ous with Bickford,
whom he had never seen before; tbst he
was occasionally in the room OF Cocnrane
| and Smith. below, and once drank soms
whiskey there, tu, knew nothing whstever
Of the robbery until ,ihe tfficers came
to search; that on the night Of
the robbery he ate his supper ard
went to the post office and railroad
| station in Gardiner, ard went home about
| nine ard retired to bed and did not leave
his room until the ne It morbing about six
that Bickford was in bad when he ,elired.
sad was there in the morning. He said
that at the time of the search he did not
understand the officer to ask If be could
simply get into the basement from the shop
without going round, bus whether be could
get into Cochrane's room, and thss q. thai
time be did not under.tand thst one could,
the scuitle leading into coal and wood
pen and the stable, board being taken oui
| TO les person from the coal pen into the
room occupied by CochfsDe, fact which
he did not know at that time; that when the
officer notified him that he had sesrch war
rant he asked about it and said: "Wi!l 90
down and tell the fellows? That he had
been down through the scuttle into The
horse stable, but never through where the
board was of, and knew nothing about thai
until the search. Was in Cochrans's room
perhaps three evenings, making calls. but
NOT there the Eight before the burglary
The coat be hsd on he bought OF Bick'
ford the day before the arrest, and Bick
fore as that time pu: On ths gray coat.
Andrew Cochrane, testified that be VA
AZ years Of sgs and hsd lived 10 Randolph
going there from the Soldiers Home
'. Rented the rcon in the ba.enlen
Of the blacksuithshsp and tiles
ssws. Took William Smith /,
, about 10 days before the arrest. until b,
could get plsce. Knew nothing vhss
ever Of the burglary, nor anyttipg Of To,
stolen property, until it was found unde
his bunk BY the officers. On tie evenin,
Of the 23i Of F4brusry he and Smith hs'
some liquor to drink and retired to bed
During the night sometime, witness rouse
!. from sleep and found Smith up and ask.sd
: Il wss morning, and Smith replied no. thi
Z be bad only got up to 90 oul
Q Was aroused sgAin from sleep about
a o'clock 10 ths mcfning BY the rushing int
|. the shop shove Of Fred Tsysof and the tel
e ing Of those above thxt there had been
a robbery at the residences Of Mrs. Cooke, 4
& he understood IT, He denied sny psrsicip,
Z ton in the robbery and tisclaIned "a