Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-21
Daily 1sennebec 3opr1aL
WOED BY FORCE.
Anna Hasscit Tells Ho. Fred Burt Tried to
Win Her Affections.

Norway Me, Aug. 20.-Fred y. Burt.
-, was arraiGned before the municipal
court, Saturday. on the charge of as
sault with probable intent To kill. The
trial developed unique and sensa-
tional method Of court ship. which
might have been all right in stern old
Roman days, but proved a terrible
failure in these times and this com
munity.
Your olfcnse,' said Judge Davis. in
binding the prisoner over to the su-
premc court, lit SO outrageous and
heinouS that it is extremely fortunate
for you that il occurred in a commu-
nifty where the laws are allowed to take
their course"
Anna Blanche Hassett testified in
substance: Il am Is years Old and
with my 13-year- od sister am the only
support of my widowed mother and her
six children. l became acquainted
with Fred 4. Burt about four months
ago and our acquaintance ripened into
an engagement. He came to see me
almost every day.
About two weeks ago | told him we
would not have anything more to do
with each other. When l was going to
the shoe shop to work at noon. Aug. IL.
he met me in the street and said: Save
me. Anna.
He told me he had our marriage in
tentions published upon the town
clerks books by forgery. and that he
would be sent to State prison for two
years unless went 10 the clerks office
.;,l, - III |
to 80 there with him and left him in
the street. A few minutes later |
changed my mind and went back home
to ask my mothers advice. | found
Mr.. Burt al our house. where he had
told mother the same story. and by her
advice started with him for the town
clerks office. I did not known where
the town clerks office was and he led
me in an opposite direction. out Of the
village. Under pretcnse that some men
were coming to arrest him he got me
into the woods.
Now I'm going to Kill you he said.
and then kill myself unless you prom
Use to marry me-
Il told him | could not marry him. and
that as | had always tried to be good
girl | would go to Heaven if he kille:
himself. so that We should be more wide,
~ separated after death than before.
"IIe grabbed me and tried 70 smother
me with his hand. but | heard a team
coming ana screamed 80 he stopped. h.
got upon his knees and asked my forgive
ness. | forsare him and agreed 10 con,
tinue to the clerks office with him.
"He hurried mo back across the village
over the meadows. wet with rain, UP
pixies Hill I'd where ne said the clerk
had his summer house. We crossed Il
field Of long grass. whore ! Got very We,
to 4 spring. whence he said 4 path !ci
path to a lonely wood upon the side %
The mountain. Suddenly he turned ami
with chlorofnrm over my mouth ana nose,
and screamed. Now have got you where
II thought Of how mother and thu
children would StdrVe If / died, and /
fought for my life with all my strength.
| got the sponge of my mouth an
pleaded. / said: -, Fred. what vii!
~ don't care for them, ne replied
Finally | twisted myself out Of his hands
and ran for my life into the woods. Il
followed ana caught me. Again | Tough.
for my life while he tried to Kill me and
shouted, Marry me Or die.
After struggling about two hours III
the lonely forest | held up my hand and
sworc to marry him if mother would con-
sent. | also sworc to never tell that h
tried to kill me. AS We went toward
home he made me promise several time-
not to tell
The witness mother Helen Hasset'
testified that when Anna got home her
garments were as wet though she had
been dragged through tho river ana she
was 50 weak that she had to help her u
the steps.
The mother said: When she reached
the door she tainted. was 50 fright
ened that | tainted and fell beside hel
upon the floor. When | regaincd my
senses ! carried my child in my arms u
her bed. She did not Sit up FOR thrc,
days"
Deputy Sheriff Bassctt testified thai
when he arrested Burt he found bottle
of chloroform ana a sponge in his pocket
Other witnesses cOrroborated the girl
extraordinary story on other points.
Burt offered no defence, and was bount
over to the supreme court.