Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-01-26
LEWIS SCHEME.
It was to Trap GRAHAM Into
Confession of Murder.
Tried to Arrange Plan With Deputy
Sheriff Chute, Who Declined.
Sensation in Gorham Murder Trial-The Evil
dence Rather Against Lewis.

Portland, Jan. 25.-In the Lewis trial,
this afternoon, the first real sensation
since the case began was produced when
Deputy Sheriff Chute gave testimony
which is regarded S very damaging to the
prisoner
George W. Given, turnkey at the county
Jail, was the first witness and testified to
taking Gratfam's and Lewis clothing and
giving it to the physicians connected with
the case. Sheriff Plummer gave testi-
mony to the same effect, the object being
to identify the clothing produced in the
court room beyond doubt. At this point
the defence recalled Constable Libby of
Gorham, who testified the Lewis shoes
looked as if they had been cleaned on the
night of the murder.
Harry II. Hannaford, who lives near
the Coburn house, testified that he saw
GRAHAM in the barber shop in Gorham on
the morning of the day of the murder
The witness went out in the woods to
look after some traps and saw tracks in
the snow. The object of introducing this
witness was to show that the tracks lead
ibE llOiii VIZ Scbtiih II WHY iildNtt ".
GRAHAM in the morning.
Frank O. Morris of Gorham, barber
testified that GRAHAM was in his shop and
cut his lip, the morning of the murder
This would account for the blood found
on Graham S handkerchief
Deputy Sheriff Chute here took the stand
amid a hush of expectation, since it was
supposed that he had something to tell
that had not been heard at the preliminary
examination. He testified to seeing tracks
leading from the barn after the murder
Witness had the custody of both Lewis
and GRAHAM. Witness detailed the story
which Lewis told him about tine discovery
of the murder. Lewis asked If there would
be doctor at the coroner's inquest, say
ing that he was subject to fainting spells.
Witness had a further talk with Lewis and
asked him one or two sharp questions, up
on which Lewis tainted away.
When witness arrested Lewis, the latter
asked Has GRAHAM told you that killed
Coburn?" Witness said Eyes. Lewis
then said he wanted to make a proposition
as follows to Chute:
81 want you to have it put in the papers
that am very sick and going to die. I
want to be put in cell and have some
body in the next cell and then have Graf
fam come in to see me, and I'll make
GRAHAM confess that he did the murder. "
Witness said he would not consent to
this. Witness told Lewis that his real
name was James Lewis iWelch, and the
prisoner admitted it, Witness had sub
sequent conversation with the prisoner.
The latter said that Tallman Lowell said
to him: WED rather have you for a
neighbor than Coburn. Why don't you
put some paris green in his cider, and then
go away to sea? He'll drink the cider af-
ter you are gone and then the old woman
will send for you to come back. Why don't
you kill him?"
Lewis told witness that this did not in
eliminate Lowell for he was all accounted
for. Witness was given a long and search
ing cross examination, going over the
same ground again more carefully and
infinitely, but his story did not differ from
that he told in the direct examination,
Witness was still on the stand when court
adjourned until tomorrow morning.