The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-24
GUILTY.
Murderer'S Plea
at Bar.
Kelley. Greatly Agitated
When Arraigned.
Wept While the Judge Read
the Warrant to Him.
Neither Relative Nor Counsel Put In
An Appearance.
Neither Relative Nor Counsel Put In
An Appearance.
Hurried Into a Carriage and Driven
Back to the Jail at Dover.

Somersworth, N. H., April "a Joseph
T.. Kelley, the murderer of Cashier Stick
ney of the Great Falls National Bank.
was arraiGned in court at o O'Clock this
morning, and pleaded guilty to charge
OF murder Everything connected with
inc nearing was OF dramatic character
and Kelley, who had only a week ago
called everyone in Somersworth his friend
ana had been on the most intimate terms
with local people was this morning an
parently without a friend in the world.
His father. who had been expected t. be
present at his hearing, did not come.
neither was there any counsel or friend to
appear I'm kelley's behalf. He was abso-
lutely alone and was bowed down with
GRIEF, shaking like child and utterly
oblivious of the surroundings
For the first time since his arrest, he
appeared too fully realize the enornitv
of his crime, and the probably terrible
consequences to him. The hearing WAS
held in the little town hall where every
class OF meeting is held froIn the ordinary
town caucus TO the town election. Very
frequently lectures and banQuets are
given and the stage Is fitted for COSY
little theater. This mornings at the front
of the stage was row of footlights and
the scenery OF the last performance which
the ensemble of "a most dramatic character
throughout. The crowd which attended
was very large. The doors were opened
at o'clock, and there was great rush
up the stairs. A row of settees had been
placed about 20 feet in front of the stage,
making an enclosure in which were q
number of other settees and chairs This
enclosure was in the center Of a crowd Of
people, who although greatly interested,
were remarkably orderly.
The Warrant Read.
Judge Knapp appeared and seated him
self at the long table in tho enclosure
Kelley was then made TO walk down the
stairs at the side of the stage and through
"A passage, forced through the crowd and
was seated in the exact center of the open
space on the floor Of the hall Behind
him Were seated Sheriff Hayes and the
other officers who had been closely con-
nected with the case. At two minutes
past 9 County Solicitor Mason arose and
said MAY it please your honor, the
state presents case of one Joseph f.
Kelley, who, on April l6 1891, with
malice aforethought did kill and murder
one Joseph a. Stickney by hitting him
on the head and cutting his throat He
then moved that Kelley be arraigned for
tho crime.
read the warrant to Kelley. The prisoner
was seated wnon the judge arose, but
WAS at once ordered 70 stand. He seemed
TO be very weak. SO mucn so that he par
TALLY fell forward on the table. and it
was only by great exertlon and by a firm
clutch on the table that he finally was
able to stand up. His head was bowed
upon his breast and for two minutes no
stood motionless. As the Judge in read
ing the warrant reached the words,
With n poilo,man's billy did hit him or
the bead, and then with a razor did cut
and before the Judge finished was sobbing
like child.
His Plea Is Guilty.
His sobs could be heard at the other end
Dt the hall. lie seemed co be completely
As Judge Knapp asked the
question: Arc you guilty or not guilty.
l<elley's head dropped lower and lower
and his sobs grew louder Tho court was
obliged 20 repeat the question three times,
when 10y n great effort. Kelley answered
tho one word. guilty, SO low that only
nose In the immediate vicinity could
lclr him. His yoicc was hoarsc and ho
lppeared TO be choking as the woid was
altered.
There was no confusion or cutlery rs
<elley's plea was made and the court then
announced 70 the prisoner that 10 would
l0 taken back 10 the county Jail nt Doyor.
md held ior the next session OF the
supreme judicial Court In September
Almost Immediately Sheriff HAYES went
onward and took Kelley by tho arm. He
oNiiN ~ NltututI VI ItlSt tn' trtlnDllnx
nan from his chair as his ncryes wero
Ompletely shattered and he sc.nicd To
ave no control over himself. With tho
id of Constable Bartlctt Kelley wns
AIKEN back tO the stage and thr, utH the
'Orgoous scenery 30 the street wtrta hc
vas placed in a carriage aud drl,cn OarA:
D Dover.
The hearing this morning ends u lcl-ni
rOcecdings in tho case I'm tho tOv.s m
The entire matter Is nca
Z the hands Of supreme Judicial Npurt
7 New Hampshire. which will dtt rn.ro
he degree of guilt at its session in
cptcmber.
There was considerable feeling OK
rcssed this morning at the apparent do
'rtion Of the young prisoner ly his
Ither and family, mono Of whom came to
10 hearing at all, although they woe
expected.
No Money TO Fight Hopeless Case
Ameshury. Mass, April "a. Michael
elley Of Amesbury father 81 Joseph l..