Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-02
DIDN'T REMEMBER
Except About Brady's Marvellous Tablets
Waite Sure Those s:Qusered'' Him.

was made in the trial of Wilbur M.
Waite. the alleged firebug, this fore
noon. The respondent was on the
stand two hours from County Attorney
Libby. wiate stu k to his story aboa,
being dazed after taking four little al
legged tablets confused that he did not
realize much that was going on at tn,
time of the interview in which he
signed the alleged confession of crimes.
Some things relating to that time he
was able to deny, but to most uues-
tons on that point his response was II
don't remember" or II don't know" Or
"to my knowledge no such thing oc-
Cured"
He said the first time he talked with
Detective Brady about the fire patrol
was on the steam launch at Riverton
He described his enterprise and spoke
of how it fell through, but there was no
talk of incendiary fires till they were
returning home ION electric cars. Then
Brady's questions led up to that topic
and Waite said he was aware he had
been suspected of. setting fires, but he
had nothing to do with them
Here the county attorney picked up a
transcription of Detective Bradys tes-
timony and began firing in questions
about those Preble House interviews
The respondent said he was in the
reading room or the hotel when ne
signed the application for the position
that had been promised him. The al
legged confession OF crimes was signed
in Pritchard's room next day That
was the time of his confused state of
mind after partaking of Brady's mys-
FERROUS little tablets. Brady had pre-
viously told him part of this firms
business was struggled goods into the
states from Canada. but Waite's only
duties would be to answer mail orders
and handle collections. He would not
be required TO handle goods or even sec
them.
Did they tell you that they wanted
money bond?" asked the county at
tOrney.
mo, Pritchard said money bond
would be of no use. They wanted per-
sonal bond
Didn't you think that was a funny
kind Of bond for firm to require of an
agent who was to handle large sums
and be paid $500 or $500 month";"
Eyes. that thought did occur to me-
but not till after had signed the
paper 1 was so confused then didn't
realize what l was doing"
Did they tell You the statement you
signed would bind them as well as
you"
Eyes, they said this statement Of
.r;v esrr rvi1y
us a hold upon each other in case of
trouble
How did youfthink it gave you a
hold on them?"
II didn't know anything about that"
He remembered that something was
said at the time about incendiary fires.
But he didn't know what he said about
them. He also remembered that both
detectives told him it made no differ
ence whether admissions were true or
not. He said henmight have told his
wife, the night Of his arrest, that he
did not remember where he was on the
night of the Harrington block fire. but
she did not tell him to claim he was at
home at the time and prove it by her.
Asked if he told Officer Ticket he
was foolish for confessing to those
fellows witness replied: Il told
him was fool for getting
into those fellows clutches. I
also told my wife that I was blind and
they led me-" He admitted he told the
lows were using him squarely and he
intended to use them squarely.
did you tell Brady you had a close
mouth?'
II couldn't have told him so, for don't
think have a close mouth.
In response to a question from his
counsel, Waite said Chief Eldridge gave
him fireman's badge so he could go In
side the fire lines and take pictures of
suspicious fires Six other witnesses were
called to strengthen Waite's alibis and
three reporters called by the defence tes-
titled that they had seen hanging in the
police station a poster, offering $500 re-
ward for apprehension of a firebug. which
poster Marshal Sylvester had testified he
never saw.
The defence rested and rebuttal testi-
mony for the State was begun. Oficers
Jones and Quinn testified that they saw
Waite at the Temple street fire within 10
minutes after the general alarm.
The respondent had admitted he was
there. but said it was not until 20 minutes
after the alarm. This is the only fire of
the IL that the State has absolutely To-
Gated MIN IN ATTENDANCE upon any OF the
fires
officers Bonner and Pickett testified to
talk they had with Waite, and overheard
at the police station.
Chief Eldridge admitted that he gave
Waite fireman's badge and that the first
talk they had about the fire patrol was
after Waite returned from Lynn.
This afternoon will conclude the trial
up to the closing arguments which prob
ably will not be made till morning.
CREW RESCUED