Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-28
BRAN Is A WONDER.
Continued from page ~

If the issue Were not such a serious one
it would be impossible to resist the temp
tation to look on the humorous side of
the trial. Bran has almost concluded
his cross-examination. District Attorney
Hoar when the court was about to adj
iourn at p. NJ. Saturday stated to the
counsel for Bran that with the exception
of a few matters of detail. Bran exam
ination has been concluded.
The general verdict amongst those who
have listened to Bram's testimony. with
out discussing any Interior issues. is that
he has told remarkably clear and con-
nected story of what he claims We're his
own doings on the night of the murders.
and that he has stuck to and repeated
that story, without any material altera-
ton or qualification. three or four times.
during one of the most exhaustive and
searching cross-eXaminations heard in
Boston for years
ment except that he had written the
name of the man to whom he was taking
whiskey in Buenos Ayres on leaf of Il
hymn book rather than on a card. which
he had placed in his pocketbook. that the
courses as described on the log book did
not exactly tally with what he stated he
meant to be "A duplicate, and that the
courses after the murders were not al
ways marked accurately.
On one or two minor points he claimed
that the district attorney had misunder-
stood or misinterpreted his answers. and
claimed that no statement that he had
made could be hsown to be inaccurate.
He contradicted in the most direct man
ner the testimony of Monks in regard to
specific acts and statements on the night
of the murders. and also said that his
recollection of some other matters was
not in accordance with that of Spencer.
When the question was put to him,
point blank. by District Attorney Hoar,
whether he had at the time they oc-
Cured, or since, suspected Monks Of the
murders. Bran replied that he had not.
He has shown himself man of Won
4 c,,1 L.;
control to a remarkable extent. He never
stops to frame an answer. but in the
most outspoken and apparently uncon-
sidered way, replies to the questions
hurled at him.
Sometimes he has started in to deliver
little lecture to the district attorney.
Aren't you getting little mixed, Mr..
Hoar?" pardon me. you are making IA
out for you or You are speaking of too
many things at the same time. Mr..
Hoar," sets the spectators inquiring how
a man in Brams position can have such
perfect control of himself, and never be
caught mapping.
suggested to him that he had made such
and such answers to certain questions
earlier in his examination. but Bran has
in almost every instance risen to the oc-
casion, and repeated almost verbatim.
what he had already said in reply to the
particular question.
Were you in the longitude of Cayenne
after the murders?" queried Mr. Hoar.
Yes. SIR" replied Bran.
And YOU We're In the latitude of
French Cayen, alsO?'
IF we were We would have been in
Cayen. sir was Bram's reply.
Order" said the criers and the i'll
struction had to be repeated before the
listeners quoted down.
Further on Mr.. HOar asked Bran two
or three questions in regard to different
points in his testimony, and Bran, with
some show of feeling. answered.: II would
thing at time, Mr.. Hoar."
Answer my question, please" COM
manded Mr.. Hoar.
Yes sir; what was your question:"
Bran coolly asked.
When Mr.. Hoar was asking Bran about
whether Monks had read the service of
the Episcopal church before the bodies
were put in the boat. or at some other
time, Bran did not appear to catch the
drift of the question.
He paused. and commenced to scratch
his head. as though endeavoring to recall
what he had been asked about.
He was relieved from his embarrass-
ment, however. by District Attorney
Hoar. who said that what he had asked
him about occurred at an earlier time
than that at which he had been plac-
ing it.
may get these things mixed up. Mr..
Hoar." retorted Bran. as he resumed his
former impasstve demeanor.
Again when Bran was being ques-
toned regarding the entries in the log,