Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-02


Had nothing to eat or drink in the woods
from the woods with Getchell that Satur-
day directly into the house, not
into any of the out buildings first
Getchell was in witness sight from time he
left the woods until they sat down to din
ner. Saw Gs tchell take his medicine before
dinner. Witness was washing at sink when
Getchell took medicine. Saw him take it
out of the bottle, quart bottle about third
full. Mr.. Getchell told him what WAS in the
bottle, during the week. Was not allowed
to testify what Getchell to d him. Thursday
witness tasted contents of the bottle. There
was gin and sulphur in the bottle. 1t then
was on sink. Getchell was in the buttery
when he took the medicine that Saturday
noon. Buttery joins on to the sink. Had
seen Getchell at other times during the week
take from this bottle, each time before
meals. Took from the bottle that verv
morning before breakfast. After taking it
this noon he sat down to dinner.
Mrs. Getchell and two children were
there at dinner. While at table he,
Getchell, complained of being sick, said 81
feel sick, l feel awful funny" Mrs. Get
chell said she guessed he had taken too
much of his gin. He said he guessed not
He put his hands to his head complained
of feeling queer. On going to the lounge
his legs trembled and he had hard work to
get there. Witness partook of different va
rieties of food on the table and all the family
did the same. First thing after Getchell
got on to the lounge he asked Mrs. .Getchell
if she didn't have something in the house
to give him. She said nothing but the gin
and sulphur. He said he was afraid it
would kill him. She said she guessed
not. 1t would warm up his stomach
and do him good. She told wit
ness to give Getchell some of the
gin. Witness did so, in hot water
and sugar. Tasted of it to ascertain if hot
enough and noticed it had bitter taste.
No bitter taste to it the Thursday before
This Saturday it was quite bitter and he
felt it in his stomach. Mr.. Getchell said
| it tasted bitter in his mouth and in his
stomach.
Odd he say it tasted different than ever
| before?
Al don't remember.
Witness testified that Getchell, before
the doctor come, complained of being sick,
stretched his arms and appeared in pain.
| He asked to be rubbed and witness rubbed
him and put hot fiatirons to his feet. Once
| or twice he cried out. Witness was in the
| bouse while the doctor was there. Doctor
there about half an hour. After doctor
went away was not in the house all of the
| time. Might have been out of the house an
hour altogether. He thought Ambrose
Getchell was in the house. During the
week Chas. Robinson and Emery Nash, Mr..
Hamm and Laforest Trask were at the
house. Laforest Trask staid there Thurs
day night and slept on the lounge in the
kitchen. Mr.. Trask lives about three miles
around the road from Getchelrs and cross
lots through the woods about mile.
During the time Getchell was sick, Mrs.
Getchell told witness her husband was TAX
| ing the medicine for his numbness. Moth
| ing else was given Mr.. Getchell while he
was in the house that he saw except some
mustard which Mrs. Getchell sent out to a
! neighbor's and got. This given to vomit
| Getchell but didn't.
Cross examined Who took breakfast at
house the day Getchell died?
AIRS. Getchell, two children, myself
and Mr.. Getchell.
Witness said breakfast was taken at the
usual hour. Remembered about the break
fast very distinctly. Getchell got up before
| witness and did the chores. Witness did
not 60 out of house before breakfast
Came down stairs that morning, went direct
ly to the kitchen. Breakfast not quite
ready. Mr.. Getchell and family were then
in the kitchen. Didn't know as little boy
was there. Remembered distinctly Getchell
was there but not about the little boy
Didn't remember what they were doing.
Waited about 10 minutes for breakfast
Didn't remember what Getchell did or what
part of kitchen he was in. Witness sat OH
in the buttery.
Q,-What part of buttery did he find and
take down that bottle of gin?
A.-Couldn't describe the buttery.
Thought kept gin in a small cupboard high
among the shelves about middle way of the
buttery on the south side of the buttery,
which is about s feet. 5 to feet wide.
The length of it is about 10 feet. Opened on
east to kitchen and on west into sitting
room. Getchell was in the buttery taking
gin while witness was at sink washing and
facing north. Could see into the
butiery while in natural position at
sink. Would have to turn to left
to look straight into buttery, Sink he
thought came out flush with buttery door.
Getchell took medicine that morning by
drinking from bottle. Took two swallows.
Being closely questioned witness said he
couldn't tell how many swallows but sure
he took more than one swallow.
Q.-Just what were you doing?
A.-Was looking right at him when he
took sulphur. There was some little com.
motion in the court room at this explicit
statement. Witness then said he happened
to look around and see Getchell taking
medicine.
Naturally you would after wiping
your face and hands have turned and gone
to Lounge?
A.--Might have done so and might not.
Q.-Did he make any remark to you or
you to him?
A.-No.
Q.-How much gin was in the bottle?
Al didn't notice said he thought there
was some sulphur in the bottle.
At this point the cross examination as to
details was very close. Witness was very
explicit but became more cautious. Diin't
Con,inued on 9TH page.1