Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-14
THE Defence
In the DiI|ingham-HiII Case
on Trial at Skowhegan.
Defendant Willie Hill Absolutely De-.
MES Plaintiffs Charges.
Says that Nothing Has Ever Occurred TO Have
Caused This Suit.

no smaller than that of yesterday Dep
uty sheriffs were constantly circulating
through the crowd. keeping people quiet
but the officer who had charge of the
gallery had cinch, for the women kept
catch every word that was being uttered
from the witness stand. Old and young
women We're present
The testimony of plaintiffs witnesses
in the case was finished this morn
ing. and Forrest Goodwin. ESQ.,
opened the defence. He said the defence
denied the charges of undue familiarity
between Hill and Mrs. Dillingham;; that
no signals, except in a neighborly way
ever passed between them: that the testi-
mony of Lorenzo York was what the
plaintiff relied upon and the defendant
would show that York's testimony was
entirely false; that many witnesses would
be produced to impeach the Yorks, and If
necessary. impeach the testimony of the
Willie L. Hill. the defendant. was the
first witness. Am the nearest ncighbor
to plaintiff, and have known him since
childhood. Have been to York's in Fair
field only nine times. First time carried
Mrs. Dillingham; down at request of Mrs.
Cleaves. Did not see Inez alone
w ueSCFlDeu several VISITS Wn1cn
he made. 10 York's and vicinity in the in
tercst of Il woven wire fence for which
he was agent. Slept at York's one night
in the parlor bedroom with Lorenzo
them and removed the straws from the
bed and then went out. Witness did not
leave his room that night.
York to o"h over once Mood dt wt
purpose of buying. Did not buy and
York was mad at him. Went several
times when he was trying to sell fencing
to the cemetery association
December /, witness went down to see
Mrs Dillingham; in Fairfield. because he
had heard that Dillingham; had said that
he had got inez back again and that she
Went again on Dec. II. Got there at
Oakland between 10 and II at night. This
was at Mrs. Cleaves Willis Cieaves re
was about o'clock A. NJ. As witness
was leaving the house, he say Two men.
one of whom he believed was Dillingham;.
Witness had gone there for evidence in
signed for trial. Nothing had ever passed
between witness and Mrs. Dillingham;
that was in the least degree improper.
She never had expressed any affection
for witness. During Mrs. Dillingham; s
illness, witness had called 4 physician to
attend her. Witness had found Mrs; Dill
lngham alone one time and she told him
that they had all gone and left and had
given her no supper, and witness caused
some supper to be prepared for her at his
own home. Mrs. Dillingham; had told
witness that her husband did not want u
wife and wanted to get rid of her.
Cross standardization always known
Dillingham; and never before had amy
trouble with him. One night when he
returned from the Eastern Maine State
fair at Bangor. he went over to the Dill
linghams Went over to see them all
Found several people there. There was
some talk at that time about Il divorce.
Witness introduced Lorenzo York to Mr.
Goodwin. Mr.. York told his story to Mr..
Goodwin and then witness told Goodwin
that Henry did not use lneZ right.
Mr.. Goodwin made out the libel and
witness took it down and gave it to Mrs.
Cleaves. She returned the papers to wit
ness. the next day. and witness left them
at once to Smithtield ON business. The
next Sunday. witness did not go TO Dill
bingham $. and saw neither Mr.. Dilling-
ham or Mr.. York on that day.
Did not understand that Henry was at
home any part of the Saturday before.
Did not know that Henry. was at home.
to go over to Dillinghams for two days
at Il time. Knew that Henry was at
home. Monday. Witness knew before
DIgham ca came a to his house that she
was not sent to see Mrs. Dillingham; by
the witness.
Witness met Mrs. Dillingham; and Sher-
if Viles when the latter brought Mrs.
Dillingham; to witness house. About 8
O'Clock that night. witness started for
Fairfield with Mrs: Dillingham;. Witness
remembered that he formerly did the
chores at Dillinghams during Henry's
absence. This work was performed.
sometimes before and sometimes after
witness had performed his own. Witness
could not remember that Mrs. Dillingham;
ever performed her work about the barn
at the time he was there.
Witness had been in the habit of going
to Dillingham's more than any other
lncZ after he had done the chores. Had
sometimes staid until late hour alone
with Inez. Witness might have staid there
until o'clock. Was accustomed to wash
his hands and sit down during the life
of Mrs. Smiley. Witness did not recollect
of staying at Dillingham; house all
night when Inez was alone.
Henry is quite talkative, fully as much
so as witness daughter). Witness was
not in the habit of going over to billing
hams when Henry was away except to
his hand to Inez and she would do the
same. Witness was not in the habit of
waving his hand to any of the other Ia
dies in the neighborhood
Witness was on the road to Fairfield
from $50 to about u or little before. the
night he took Inez to Fairfield. IA miles.
Talked the matter over with Mrs; York,
that night. Witness sat up until about
o'clock, when he laid down on the
lounge. lneZ was sitting about 10 or II
feet away during the time witness was
Oh tDe lounge. MIS-. DlIilflS fiitili ulu iiti-
Their lie or sit on the lounge while witness
occupied it. but sat in Il rocking chair
during the time witness was there. Wit
ness had known Mr.. and Mrs. York at
least 10 years.
The first time that witness went to
York's after taking 1nez there. he went
there to see about selling some fencing.
Witness remained this time until after
dinner. Was in the kitchen talking with
Mrs Dillingham; when Mr.. Creighton and
Horato Dillingham; passed through. Wit
ness was not alone with Mrs. Dillingham;
during that visit.
Witness next went to York's in Sep
TENDER. He refreshed his recollection
from dates that he had taken from let
ters he had received from the fence COM
pany that he represented. Saw Mr.. and
Mrs. York and Mrs. Dillingham; and
talked with them Staid there to supper
and left about s O'Clock that evening.
He visited York's again about Sept. %,
along about night. but got to York's be-
fore dark. Saw Mrs, Dillingham; and
Mrs. York. Mr.. York returned home
after dark. Staid all night. Saw no one
beside the immediate members of Mr.:
York's family Witness had staid ali
night twice at York's., Once, he slept
alone. Did not know where Mrs. Dilling
ham was Mrs York did not go into the