Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-07

lnk Liz Ut Elk " ems Nbu FSkT hAN&~i
when be hal been drinking:
A.-Not bat once that remember.
$50 far as you saw, Mr.. Gatchel II was
q kind husband:
A-Yes sir.
Q.-What room was Mira. Getehell slck
in.
A-The parlo-.
Q-During the time you were there you
never SAW Trssk and Mrs. Getcheil TO-
gether!
A.-No sir; never dill.
Sewell Glidien was called.
Stated that he is II years oh snd lives in
Cooper's Mills. Il brother of Mrs. Getch-
ell. Had known Henry Getchell quite well
for four years. Worked for him three weeks
three years ago this spring. Had WORKED
for him at different times since. Lafcrest
Trask worked there. Worked on the barn
this last fail They called each other La
forest and Hen. Have been over to Mr..
Tasks with Heary. Had seen them at
Augusta together. Witness worked for
Mr.. Moody in his stable 10 Augusta las
fall. Saw Henry and Laforesr together
quite nuInber of times il the stable. Had
seen them drink togather a few times.
Trask stayed there nights some. Renlem-
bered when Sheriff Norton and Mr.. Ham
len were at the house together. Was at the
house when they came. Abhie Keen was
there. Didn't have supper earlier that
night.
Odd you 60 anywhere after supper:
Al went to Carlos Hammond's at
Beams corner. Went afoot. Went to buy
half pound of tobacco and some shot.
Went and r-furpaJ apJ Ii1p'r 500
Trask that night. He wasn't there at
night or the next day.
These statements were closely listened TO
as they contradict damaging testimony by
Abbie Keen.
Q.-Was there any understanding with
Mrs. Getchell as to any signals:
A.-No, sir. Never had been.
@ When you got home that night, who
was there?
A.-Abbie Keen and the children and
Mrs. Getchell. Didn't go out that night
again Went to bed.
Witness stated very explicitly that he
had heard Henry say he wished he was
dead number of times. OGe time tive
years ago, after he'd been drinking, Henry
said he'd been out West, worked hard all
his days, AMI he'd been better off if he was
lead, and he ished to God he was. Heard
him say he wished he was dead, one time
when lying on the lounge last fall. He
used to say it when he was mad. Henry
VS. drinking man. Had helped him into
The house number of times. Used to
rink when he got where 1t was. Never
knew any words to pass between Henry
and bis wife but once. Then Henry was
licking the horse in the dooryard, when
Emma took up for the horse. He told her
to go into the house and she went.
Mr.. Heath asked witness Odd YOU hand
t. me a bottle in the court room today"
Al did.
A round quart bottle with little liquid
in the bottom of i. was here shown witness.
who Identified it. He said he brought it
there.
Q-Where dil you get that bottlr?
A.--Got it out Of the cupboard this
NOR ing.
Witness said he went to GetchelrJ to
work the last time the day before last
Christmas aud had been there since. Had
seen this bottle there from time to time
Had seen no similar bottle there. The
Iiqqii now in the bottle had been there for
some time.
Gross examined
Q-Were you at the Getchell house
when was out there?
A Yes, sir.
Odd you show me bottle:
A.-Yes, sir; showed you where it was.
Q.-Do you say that is the bottle!
Ayes, say it is the bottle.
Q-Do you say there was anyt' ing in the
bottle took in my hand that day.
Ayes, sir.
Q.-Do you know what Sheriff Norton
come out there for?
Add not until the next morning.
Wasn't present when Mrs. Ge.chell gave
her statement.
Q.-You had no idea of what was going
on until the next morning.
A.-No, sir.
Q.-You were there all the afternoon and
got your supper there, and yet you didn't
Inquire " hat he had been there for, nor ask
about it that afternoon or evening?
Ono, sir.
Q-You didn't know that your sister was
under suspicion?
A.-No, sir.
Q-You had heard talk about Henry be-
| ing poisoned?
A.-iadn't heard anybody in the town
say that Henry was poisoned.
Had said that Henry drank most every
time he could get at liquor.
! Called Henry hard drinking man. Had
heard he was subject to cramp. Had seen
Mrs. Getchell rub him. Had heard him
take on when be had cramp in his right
ann. Had seen him have 'em in his legs.
Day before Sheriff Norton came, was hunt
ing. Didn't know what he was doing the
day after. Was in the barn the day Sheriff
Norton came.
Witness was cross examined very closely
as to what Henry said about dying, three
years ago. Witness stated he heard Henry
say once, death was pronounced on the hui
man man, and lie wished he was dead and
couli get out of his suffering. This was
three years SGD. Henry complained at the
time Of having a pain in his back. and
Strengthened back against the barn door.
Witness even remembered this was in tie
l)wer barn. Had heard Henry say he
wished he was dead perhaps hundred
tines. Wasn't alarmed at these statements,
but thought a man must be "a little out" to
make such talk. Still, he didn't think he
was crazy. Sh,uljnt call him a strong,
robust man, just fair, ordinary man. Had
a heart trouble. Heard him say so year