Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-05-08
RUM BOTTLE
Now Shares Mystery with Iron
Hoped Jug of Cider.
Another Element Of Uncertainty In
troduced by the Defence.
Much Talked About laiorest Trask Passed Z
Weary Day-Prisoner Shows Strain.

AAS SdasSSS 6AASe Va qASe1ohS "oA oh
swers pour forth from tha legal mill un-
checked and the end of the Getchell trial
does not seem any nearer than it did Satur-
day.
The audiences do not seem to be bored
and the crowd still wait in expectancy for
sensation. When the name of Laforest
Trask was announced about an hour and
three-quarters before the noon recess, Mon
day, there was little buzz and he came in
and took the stand, much more significant
individual than it is probable he ever before
found himself. He would not give one the
impression Of exciting mad infatua-
ton in the heart of a
woman likely to commit deed
such as Mrs. Getchell is charged with, and
has the appearance of being too indolent
for daring lover. His manner on the
stand was composed and deliberate, not
withstanding the ordeal which he WAS
forced to undergo, and which is not ended
yet, for the county attorney will begin
again with Trask, on cross-examinatiOn,
this morning. when fresh and at a very SEN
sational point in the testimony.
Mrs Getchell still retains her outward
calmness in the court room, but is percep-
tibly growing thinner and psler. 1t is said
that she is unable to get the sleep which a
person undergoing such an ordeal should
get. And it is not to be wondered at. How
soon she will take the stand is not known.
Minnie Jones was recalled for cross ex-
animation Monday morning.
She was first asked relative to the loca-
ton of the spring on the farm and its dis
tance from the house. Said it was not a
half mile from the house. Didn't use much
water from it.
Odd you ever see your mother and
Trask on a lounge together?
A.-No sir.
Odd your mother ever send you to
the spring for water when Trask was at the
house?
A.-No sir.
Odd you never tell Mrs. Williams
that your mother sent you to the
-pring when Trask was at the
house and you hurried back and found
them on the lounge together?
A-No cir. Never saw them on the
lounge together. Witness persisted in this
declaration.
Q-You did not think Mr.. .Getchell's love
for Trask was such that he didn't want to
die?
A.-Never heard him say so when he was
with Trask. When he worked hard he
fir. quently said he wished to die.
Odd you think he would kill himself ?
A.-No. Knew he hadn't the courage to
do it.
Odd you tell your mother that you
| thought Henry wasn't going to live?
A.-Told her SO once last fall. Couldn't
remember of telling her SO after he was
sick in the fall.
Q-Was he kind to you?
A.-Pretty kind. Admitted he used to
swear at her.
Q-Did he ever mention poison in con-
ection with his wish to die?
A.-When he was putting paris green on
his crops had heard him say if he had the
| courage he'd take spoonful of that.
Q-How many brothers have you?
A.-One own brother and one half
brother, George.
Q-When did your father get the gin?
A.-Didnt remember. Got it in mud time.
Couldn't remember who it was her mother
| or Fowler that said that noon to Getchell
that he'd taken too big drink of his medi-
cine.
| Getchell had cider in the cellar the first
of the week and fetched it up into the
kitchen to drink it.
| Q.-Did you hear Mr.. Getchell say what
he was taking the gin for?
| A.-When he fetched it home he said he
was taking il for heart trouble.
| Was at Nashs but a short time that
Saturday morning. Didn't remember OF
seeing Trask on the front steps when she
got back. Couldn't remember about the
nights he staid there.
| Witness here described how Getchell ap.
peared when first taken sick. Neither he,
mother nor Mr.. Fowler helped him on to the
lounge. When at the table he put bis hand.
to his head and said how bad or how funny
my head feels. Didn't say "Oh my Goo
my head feels awfully." Didn't groan a
the table, but did on the lounge. Walked
to the lounge as if he was stiff legged
and his arms were right out straight
1t was five or ten minutes before
Ter mother sent her away. Diin'
remember that he screeched. Fiv.
or ten minutes after he left the table hel
mother told her. minnie, you go to Mr.
Nash's to get him to go after the doctor
and when he comes back to bring hil
mother here, and 60 just as quick as yoa
can." Didn't occur to her when he wa.
sick that he had his courage up to killing
himself. Didn't know what siled Mr.
| Getchell when he was sick in potato digging
time. Complained some of his heart. Ht
ca ID the trouble was his heart. Had com
pla med of his feet and legs being numb be-
fore he died, especially when he would gel
his fs It wet.
| Redi,ect.-Tbe night Getchell died shs
went home with Mr.. Nash. Couldn't re-
member whether the cider was kept in the
buttery or in the cellar.
In this connection it will be remembered
she loca,ed the jug in the buttery on the di.
rect examination Saturday.
Responding to Mr.. Heath's questions wit
ress stated there was two-gallon jug with
an iron hoop around it. Thought he got il