Daily Kennebec journal., 1894-12-22
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
lanes Lewis Arraisned at Portland for Murder
OF Byron Coburn.

Portland, Dec. 2l,--ln the municipal
court, this morning, before Judge Gould
was begun the preliminary examination
of James Lewis or Welch, charged with
the brutal murder of Byron 6. Coburn,
at Gorham. County Attorney True con
Quoted the government S case, and Sciders
& Chase were counsel for the prisoner
Welch appeared calm and collected
alert to hear all that was going on, and
ever ready to see anything that seemed
to be in his favor during the course of the
hearing. Graffam was not present in the
court room, but Mrs. kimball, the two
Lowell girls and their brother and Cole
man were there ready to testify when
called.
Recorder Thompson read the complaint
while the prisoner stood, charging WEIGH
with the murder Of Byron 6. Coburn.
"What say you to this chargey' asked
the recorder.
Not guiltyP' replied Welch, in n
positive tone.
County Attorney True proceeded to
open the case. He said that last Friday
morning the community was startled to
learn of the murder of Byron G. Coburn,
whose residence is between Gorham and
Westbrook. The particular part of tho
premises which we shall have to consider
are the barn and the stable. He described
fully the location of the buildings On
the day of the murder there were four
persons in the household, Coburn himself,
Mrs Kimball, the housekeeper, Coleman
and Lewis, the hired men. During that
iday Lewis was absent most of the time
The last person who saw Mr.. Coburn in
the house was Mrs. Kimball.
The witnesses for the State We're then
sworn in as follows: f. K. Fay, Lewis
Mcclellan, Dr. Straw Edward H. Elwell,
Josie Lowell, Annie Lowell, Joseph Cole
ma, Talman G. Lowell.
The testimony was in substance what
has already been published.
In the afternoon Joseph Coleman was
again put on the stand and testified 60 the
location of apartments and windows of
the barn. e. II. Elwell of the Press testi-
fled to the story told him by Lewis on the
night of the murder, which was printed
next morning.
Selectman Lewis Mcclellan produced II
plan of the premises and showed the exact
location of the body. Did not see the
prisoner around the body that night. He
was out of doors, but witness heard him
say that Coburn had been murdered.
At Gorham, when Lewis came up for
help. witness heard him say that Coburn
had been murdered with an axe,
Josephine i. Lowell, daughter of Abner
Lowell, where Coleman and Lewis spent
part of every evening and where Graham
works, said that when Lewis came in
that night, he said, good evening, and
she asked him to have seat. He went
and got drink of water and said" Byron
is dead and want you all to come down
and witness"
Co leman said: "You can't work any
such bluff as that on us. J."
Lewis replied, "No, I'm in earnest.
She detailed, on cross cxmination, fully
as to Lew is and Graffam's habits of com
ing and going Lewis came to her home
every evening.
Tallman Lowell testified that he went
to Portland with Lewis on the day of the
murder They went to several stores and
then aboard several schooners. They made
arrangements to ship and were to let the
captain know their decision. Went home
with Lewis. Lewis was at his house that
evening. When he left he was gone about
20 minutes and came back with the news
of the death of Coburn. Thought Graham
was out part of the evening but came
in after Lewis went out
Deputy Sheriff Parker testified as to
what he saw at the barn where the murder
took place When the bloodstained axe
was produced in the court room, Lewis
displayed no emotion, but one or two
ladies left the room.
County Attorney True said he had one
more witness and court adjoured until
tomorrow morning at 10 O'Clock.