Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-04
NOW FOR DEFENCE.
But Little More Testimony for
the Prosecution.
Man Who Swears He Read Emma's
Letter to laforest.
what Miss Keen Saw. Heard and Couldn't
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Experts"

What Mrs. Getchelrs counsel, her
witnesses and perhaps herself will say in
her defence will soon be matter of discus
sion.
Today it is expected the defence will
open. The government declared Thursday
that it should be able to close this forenoon.
Friends of the prisoner declare that now
some of the damaging features brought out
by the prosecution will be explained away.
1t is intimated that there will be a fiat
denial on the part of the defence that Mrs.
Getchell gave her husband drink of gin
after the doctor went away and try to prove
that it was the medicine the doctor left.
This trial, like several important trials of
recent date, has one feature about which
there are sure to be different opinions, the
testimony called expert" 1t was evident
in the cross-examination of this that the de-
fence was trying to bring out that had the
deceased taken drink of poisoned gin af-
ter the doctor had gone he would not have
lived the time he did, also that the treat
ment given him by the doctor afforded only
temporary relief.
The testimony of the witness who said
he opened and read very interesting letter
signed EN-" and for Trask, created quite
a sensation. Abbie Keen's testimony, too,
had few dull passages in it.
But it is thought the defence will put the
prisoner on the stand, and her testimony
may not agree with Abbie Keen's and some
sort of an explanation may be found for
that letter. 1t is thought that there
will be denials of some apparently
important points and that some of
the testimony will be declared by
the defence as of no account. The defence
is expected to introduce testimony to show
that there was misunderstanding of Mrs.
Getchelrs remarks at the breakfast table
before the Robinsons and Miss Keen, rela-
tive to the third drink of gin.
What disposition the defence will make
of the testimony regarding the private dis
ease Mrs. Getchell is alleged to have said
Henry died of, cannot now be conjectured
Thursday there was welcome relief from
the oppressive atmosphere of the previous
day, but the strain of the trial is very ap-
parent on all directly connected with it.
Mrs. Getchell bears up as well as anyone
and now during the taking of evidence sits
the greater part of the time with the coun-
sel. A vast amount of york has been done
these few days. There have been few res
pites. The testimony has all been followed
Judge Wiswell has been markedly prompt
in his rulings and in every way possible has
assisted in expediting the work. County
Attorney Carleton bears up under his
work remarkably well considering that he
is in entire charge of the prosecution and
was suffering severely from muscular rheu-
matism in the neck when the trial first be-
gan. The counsel for the defence have
shown at every step a determination that
40 effort in behalf of their client shall be
spared.
Sheriff Norton is trying to look out for
the jury and to make their state of exist
ence for these few days at least bearable.
They get the Boston newspapers after the
sheriff culls them with scissors and cuts out
everything relating to the trial.
George 2. Eds, of Sidney, was the first
witness called.
Testified that he had resided in Sidney
some 81 years. Farmer and trader. Drives
out on delivery tam. Passed Henry Get
chell's house on ronte once week. Knew
Henry and ife. Had seen Laforest Trask
1t Getchell's house most every time he
called there.
Witness said, Mrs. Getchell, a year sgo
| ast fall asked him to deliver letter to La
forest Trask.
Witness sail ha carried letter about
week and not seeing Trask be burned the
letter. Before doing 30 he read the letter
1t read "Come over t, my house tomorrow.
Hen will be gone to Augusta and shall be
alone We intend to come over to your
fathers this evening and | shall probably
see you, but there will be others there
But you know to do What we want to we
must be alone."
EN-" was the signature. No date to it.
Cross examined. Said he didn't think he
missed one week in five in making his trips
over that route. Had seen Trask there
perhaps five times out Of Fix. Had seen
Trask at work in the house. Didn't re-
member of seeing Trask and Getchell to-
geiher at work. Thought he had seen them