Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-08-26

doinham; David r. Wylie. North Bath;
David G. Stinson, Arrowsic; John j.
Desmond. Bath; Frank L. Call, Per-
kins; VIM. l.. Clark, Phippsburg
Frank M. Yeaton. Richmond; Chas. A.
Bean, Bath; Chas. H. ,Hunnewell, fore
man, BoWdOin.
Myrtle f. Adams, the alleged victim,
testified that she was Is years old and
the adopted child of Mr.. and Mrs. D..
Oscar Adams of Bowdoin. She ap-
peared on the witness stand this morn
ing, unassuming girl and told her story
in a modest way.
Witness said her assailant was her
uncle. and that he had worked some at
the Adams farm several months before
the abduction, which took place in the
evening of October 18th, of last year.
She told of having a good home at the
Adams, and they treated her kindly
and sent her to school. Miss Adams
told of the forcible taking away and Of
threats made by Bickford should she
make an cutlery.
Witness said that she was going to
an outbuilding that evening when she
was grabbed by the shoulders by man
whom she afterward saw was Rickfori-
With a club raised over her head i,e
led her to a team in the woods, half q
mile away, where in the darkness she
was forced into the wagon and driven
away. Bickfurd drove to Morrills
Corner and took the main road to Gar
diner and then to Hallowell and An
gusta
When a mile out from Augusta the
horse gave out, it then being about i
o'clock in The morning. BickfoTd, the
witness said, took blankets from the
wagon and made a bed in the woods
Where the first assault upon her was
made and that they were repeated
three or four times. After a sleep OF
one hour there Bickford compelled the
witness to walk 10 North Sidney, about
eight miles, to camp, Where three or
four assaults We're made during the
day.
Witness told of her weary travels
with Bickford through Oakland. Fair
field and other places 10 South Nor
ridgewock, where BickfoTd left her at
the home of man named Otis. and
where she Tvs found by Adms. Miss
Adams had no food for the three days
except half a biscuit which she go.
Sunday following the Friday She was
taken from her home.
Witness said Bickford told the Otis's
that she was his daughter and gave
her name as Nellie Bickford.
The direct examination of Miss
Adams occupied an hour and just be-
fore the noon adjournment, at 1850
Attorney Newell began cross -examina-
ton.
Myrtle was subjected to a long and
searching cros-examination by c. d
Newell, ESQ.,, who is ably handling
Bickford's case. but the opinion is gen.
eral that her testimony was not mate
rally shaken.
Mr. and Mrs Adams were both on the
stand and testified to Myrtle's good
character and behavior, and that she
was modest and obedient. The day be-
fore the alleged abduction they pur-
chased clothing and shoes for her and
were going to take her to a falr. TO
this a Starbird girl testi-
fed to Myrtle's telling her about the
matter
Mr.. and Mrs. Otis Of NOrridgewock,
testified as to Bickford's bringing Myr-
tie there, representing that she was his
daughter Nellie, and how he left her
there, promising to pay her board, she
to be taught to cook. etc. Then the
girl told them her story and they sent
her home. 4
There is a big crowd present and
much excitement over the case. 1t will
probably last through Thursday. and
perhaps longer.
Samuel w. Deane of Brewer, was be-
fore the municipal court Tuesday, on the
charge of half starving and otherwise
and costs.