Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-11-10

money and securities of the institution.
Mr.. Stickney had once before been at
tackled by robbers. bound and gagged,
but little money was taken, while on
the eventful April 1e, he was unable to
escape with his life, and the vault was
robbed of all the money it contained.
The Great Falls National Bank is the
oldest banking institution in Somers-
worth. and when one looks over the
scene and realizes the opportunity the
murder took in the actualf center of
trade. and at an hour when scores of
people were on their way to workshops
and homes, to walk off with $2925 in
gold. 1927 in bills and $3.50 in silver, the
deed seems incredible. For this reason
and for the excellent reputation of the
cashier and the strange actions of the
person charged with the crime. the
that of any every tried in this section
of the state.
The features of the days proceedings
were the visit to Somersworth, at an
early hour this morning, and the pre-
senting of evidence on the part of the
state, commencing with witnesses be-
longing in SOmersworth, who were visi-
tors at the bank soon after the tragedy
and discovered the dead body of Mr..
Stickney on the floor in pool of blood.
followed by those who saw a man act
mysteriously early in the afternoon in
going to an orchard. depositing a bag
beside tree and soon returning for the
treasure after a partial change of
clothing.
Witnesses were then put in the wit
ness box to show the alleged travels of
the murderer from the eastern New
Hampshire city by team over the line
into Maine to Lebanon. and thence to
Milton. N. H.. there taking train and
afterwards being noticed at various
points up to and over the Canadian
line. Judging by the crOss-examina-
ton of Attorney Edgerly, during the
day, it is evident that the counsel for
the defence wish the witnesses for the
state to characterize Kelley as a
schemer whose mind overlooked with
visionary plans.
The day passed without a single OBJ
lection being raised to a question on
either side. Juryman Samuel E. De-
Merritt of Lee. who is 70 years of age.
has been i'll the greater part of the
time since he was impanelled, but to-
day he is much improved.
Attorney General Eastman informed
The Associated Press. at a late hour,
tonight, that the state expects to put
on its last witness by tomorrow noon.
or early in the afternoon at the latest.
Attorney Ryan will then make the
opening for the defence.
An interesting part of this after
Moons proceedings was the reading of
a letter supposed to nave been written
by the prisoner and addressed to Mrs.
Wilkinson, with whom he boarded
while in Somersworth. The letter was
written May 10. 1897. while he was in
Jail, in which he said among other
things:
Il have tried to be sorry for what
have done. but cannot feel sorry bit
was afraid to go to sleep nights and
that was why l laid SO late in the
l had a tender heart once.
and am not afraid to die, but hope !
have your forgiveness. I hope Nellie |
prays for me, and when my heart
grows soft will tell lyou ALL
The attorneys for the defence, with
all their witnesses, held meeting, to- I
night, at the court house, in one OF the
chambers, for the purpose of consider |
ng the line of their defence. Mr.. KEEL |
ley and one or two other members of I
he family. with friends of the prison.
n from his former home at Amesbury. /
and acquaintance from elsewhere in /
g q u 80