Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-17
THE BRAN TRIAL.
Testimony Showing Terrible Mutilation Of the
Herbert Fuller Victims.

Quoted to the prisoners cage A small
model of the Herbert Fuller on board
which the triple murder occurred was
placed on the table of the counsel for
the governments
The first witness was William A. Nc
Donald. of Halifax a civil engineer. who
identified plans he had made of the
Herbert Fuller at the request of United
States Consul General Ingraham.
Mr.. Mcdonald was still on the stand
when the court took a recess until the
afternoon session.
At the afternoon session of
the Bran trial, DR.. W. ID.
Finn of Halifax, testified to examin-
ing the three dead bodies, July %. 1896.
DR.. Finn said he made a careful exam
ination of the bodies. The bodies were
identified by a member of the crew.
model of Captain Nash was pre-
scented upon which had been made
marks indicating where the cuts were
Inflicted. DIR. Finn related just what
he did when the Fuller arrived at Hal
flax with the three bodies He de-
scrihed the three cuts on the body
identified by Spencer. With the aid
Of a skull the witness clearly pointed
nii the skull wound which was about
az inches long. He said the wound
would not necessarily produce mmc-
diate death. The blow was 80 forcible
that il went into the brain The doe
ton used many specific medical terms
which he court asked tn he explained.
The second wound was a compound
fracture of the skull The third wound
was in the vicinity of the left eye
his was a compound wound. The
fourth wound was on the upper jaw
also one on the lower jaw.
He said the wounds We're those pro-
duced by some instrument like a
Ratchet, knife or sharp instrument
There were no other wounds on Cap
tain Nash s body. He testified to ex-
amining Mrs. Nashs body and related
now her body. was mutilated. The
first wound was produced by some
blunt instrument and was as large as
a quarter of dollar piece. The second
was skull fracture: the third another
skull wound. the fourth and fifth We're
fractures of both upper and lower
jaws. both jaws being entirely smashed
in and in pieces. Another wound was
on the right side under the breast and
rib was fractured. On her left arm
there was a cut four inches long The
ulna and radius bones of the left arm
We're fractured, and there was a COM
pound fracture of the right thumb:
the right hand was simply hanging
All the bones of the left hand were
compound fractured. The state of de-
composition was such that nothing
l.stx.
assault.
He described the wounds on the
second mate. The body was very much
decomposed There was an incised
wound on the head giving a compound
fracture, Also on the left side of the
skull there was a similar wound which
was about three inches long. he Judged;
fractures on both jaws: an incised
wound over the breast wound from
above down about four inches; also
wound under the right collar The left
hand had compound fracture of the
metacarpal bones and phalanges The
little finger, ring finger and thumb of
the left hand were severed All the
wounds were incised except one He
thought the wounds were made in self
defence. He said that the death of
Capt. Nash was probably caused by
hemorrhage caused by the wounds on
the body
Mr.. Cotter questioned DR.. Finn Wit
ness said the autopsy was held. July
%, which was before the hearing of the
members of the Fuller. He was pre-
sent at the hearings: visited the bark
on which the tragedy was committed.
He said the number of blows inflicted
on the body of Capt. Nash were seven
on the mead. Probably Mrs. Nash re-
ceived eight or nine wounds The
second mate had seven distinct wounds
and series of wounds on the hand:
there We're seven blows to produce the
seven wounds.
Mr.. Mcdonald was called to finish tes-
trying on his measurements. suspended.
pared the figure called for by Mr.. Cotter
as to the location of the bell and wheel
There was "A rod inside the window
which was on the back side of the chart
room. This rod WAS used for hanging Il
curtain on. He did not remember the |
number of panes of glass in the window |
He said there was Il shutter to the WIN
dow which slid back and forth. The shut
ter WAS composed of frame and seven
Stats with three-eighths of an inch clear |
space. and the Stats were not movable |
j ne uiStiitt from tflti center OF the nlZ- |
zenmaSt to the wheel was IS feet, !
inches; mainmast to center Of wheel. 16 |
feet. q inches; foremost to wheel. l9 |
feet; wheel to forccastle, lo9 feet. 2 |
inches; distance between the two houses |
=. feet, inches: distance from forward |
way to wheel. - feet length |
of after house. q feet He said he
thought he took all the measurements Or
scribed how the steps leading from the
companion way to the top of the lumber
were made; there were four steps Mr..
Casey questioned Mcdonald Witness
said the window opened by lifting it, and
the window went up into the partition.
The prosecution called Lester II.
Monks. who was the passenger on the
Herbert Fuller. when the tragedy oc-
Cured He testified to sailing on the
Fuller. He had conversation with Spen-
GER and Bran. Bran said he should
think a steamer voyage preferable to Il
trip like that the Fuller was about to
take. Witness spoke of the movements
Of the vessel after she left Boston. Mr..
Monks. with the aid of a diagram de-
scribed the arrangement of his room: the
plans of the chart room occupied by the
also what he knew of Mrs.
Nash's room. Mr.. Hoar had him explain
The arrangement of the cabin. clock and
amp which hung near the clock Court
adjourned.
New Hampshire Grange Endorses Brigham.
Manchester. N. H. Dec 16.-The State
srange, today, adopted resolutions en-