Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-05-11
PIERCE EXCITED.
Creates a Sensation in Court
at Auburn, Wednesday,
While Col. J. B. Peaks Of Dover,
Is Testifying on Stand.
CavaIho Identifies Pierce's Lctters-latter' s
Admissions While in Jail.

Lewiston, Me. May 10.-At the open
ing of the trial of George w. Pierce
al the supreme court al Auburn, this
forenoon, Col. j. b. Peaks. chairman
was called by the State Col Peaks
was counsel for Pierce in the Bouchard
assault case not long ago
DO you know George w. Pierce, the
respondent" inquired Mr.. Mccain. the
States attorney.
Il 90" replied Col. Peaks
Yes, and his Wife. too Numbered
the respondent, rising from his chair
Pierce was promptly seated by Dep
uty Sheriff Dweiley, who sits behind
the prisoner
Then" continued the States attor-
ney, you know George w. Pierce"
Yes" replied Col. Peaks.
And Pierce's Wife, too" shouted
Pierce. jumping To his feet. Pierce
was throttled by Deputy Dwelley and
forced to sit down.
Col. Peaks was not disturbed by the
nsinuation but the episode made a
sensation in the court room. Pierce
appeared to be very angry.
Letters then passed between Pierce
and Col. Peaks relative to the assault
case trial We're introduced. Pierce
claims that Col. Peaks was party To
what he calls a private settlement OF
the case out of court without his
knowledge or consent.
Ex-Mayor w. II. Newell testified to
telling Pierce that III he ever caught
him leaving any poisoned sugar
around his house he would never
need a jury trial, for he (Mr NEWELL
would get a revolver and blow his C.
d brains out. Mr.. Newell testified to
receiving anonymous letters of derog-
atory nature, supposed to have been
written by Pierce. also to receiving a
leather medal at the completion Of the
Coppers- Blake trial in which he was
counsel.
State Detective Odln testified to ad-
missions made to him by Pierce while
in jail. as being that if he would help
him out of the scrape he would pay
him well and would promise never to
do anything more. He wanted Odlin
to get his accusors TO forgive him He
whole business conditional that they
forgive him.
At the afternoon session, David n.
Cavalho of New York an expert in
handwriting, was a witness for the
State and testified to the results of his
examination of handwriting supposed
to be that of Pierce the respondent.
Photographs Of various letters were
identified and shown the jury. He was
shown samples of typewriter letters
and testified that they were written on
the same machine.
Judge \. d. Cornish Of the Lewiston
municipal court described at length the
meeting with Pierce at Mayor Newclls
Office, when Pierce was accused Of var:-
Gus crimes. lie told Of a letter purporting
TO be sent BY him 70 the judiciary COM
mittee Of the Legislature at Augusta. Ii
contained a violent protest against the
Witness testified that he was in favor Of
the proposed increase and signed petit
ton to that effect Testified to other
Scurruous letters sent to him as purpOrt.
ing to be from him. These letters were
put in as evidence by the prosecution.
Miss Maud Warren. alleged accomplce
of Pierce in two Of the indictments for
criminal libel. took the stand. Her testi-
mony was expected to be sensational but
il proved to be devoid Of any sensational
elements. She was on the stand but
few minutes. She testified that she had
known Pierce Sc years. After the Bou-
chard trial he told her that Teel was do
ing all he could to injure him She iden-
tilted a scurrilous letter written TO A. +.
Talbot. Judge Cornish said She wrote il
at Pierces dictation. At Pierce's direc-
ton she signed it "A. d. c." Asked
Pierce why not sign it "A. E. O. and he
said Never mind" Witness did not
know whom the "A. ID. a." was meant
for. Never wrote any other letters for
Pierce.
AT the conclusion of Miss Warren's tes-
timony the State rested its case. The de-
fence Will open. tomorrow morning.