Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-10-09
ABBlE ASHE HELD
For Action of the Grand jury
at Skowhegan
For Alleged Poisoning Of 3-Year-0Id
Lottie York Of Fairfield.
Bad Mix-up Between Three Horses in the
Races at Pttsfieid.

SkoWhegan, Me, Oct S.-(SpcciaD.-
y hearing was given Abbic Jennie
Ashe Of Fairfield, who was committed
TO Jail without bonds, Sept. 26, charged
nearly years old, residing in Fair
field. Sept. %. \ hearing was given
Miss Ashe. Sept 26, at which time it
was deemed necessary TO await Il
chemical examination Of the dead
childs stomach.
The hearing was held i'll the grand
jury room before Trial Justice Priest.
Forrest Goodwin appeared for the de-
fendant and County Attorney Small of
Madison. conducted the prosecution.
Mr.. Small explained the case ana call
ed several witnesses. Mr. and Mrs.
Frank York. Mr.. Ruel York and Clar-
ence York. 4 9-year-old lad. all testi-
fled to the various happenings on the
day when the child was alleged to have
been poisoned 1t was stated that MIR.
and Mrs. Frank York. the parents Of
the child had not lived together for
several months and when a partial re-
Cancellation was made at the York
place a Fairfield that they both said
the child could be disposed of if they
We're reunited Little Clarence testi-
fled that he saw Miss Ashe give the lit
tie child three pieces of candy that
looked just like waters. He stated
that he was sitting at the end Of the
sink which was near the partition be
tween the kitchen ana sitting room, the
only two rooms on the ground floor Of
the York house. Testimony showed
that the child was sick in the after
noon. complaining Of d headache and
about midnight, awakened in very
sick condition. The child vomiJad three
times and after several violent attacks
Of trembling. died. about $50 o'clock
Sunday morning. Doses Of peppermint
ana fat fryed from pork We're given
the child. in the night to relieve its
sufferinGs.
DR. W. r. Rand Of Fairfield testi-
fed that he was called to tn" York
house by the sclectmon. on Sunday
morning. just after ) o'clock. H
stated that he had suspicious that the
child had hcon poisoned, ana left orders
that the matter which The child had
vomited On the bed should be left. He
later sent for Il inart Of this matter
which was secured by York ana the
coroner Hr also removed the child'S
stomach ana made an cXamination.
He stated that the stomach was
empty. although rcd ard congcsted.
He was suspicious of arscnical poison
because of the inhamoI and swollen
condition Of the tissues.
DR. Rand also testified that the stom-
ach ana the vrmit"i matter was put
IN boxes. s alcd and sent by him to
Professor Roberts rf Brunswick.
Professor Y. &. Roberts was then
called. lie testified that his chemical
analysis Of the vo1ntcd matter re-
vcaIcd considerable traces Of arsenic.
Also the stomach showed the effects of
the same drug. He stated that, judg-
ing from the quantity he found, there
was little doubt hut the arsenic in the
whole of the matter and stomach was
sufficient to cause death. He stated
that the effect was generally noted in
q few minutes after the drug was
taken. but that it's action might be
delayed for several hours.
Previous testimony showed that the
alleged dose was administered in the
early part of the afternoon. \ consid
cradle less important testimony and
description of the York house was
given.
Sufficient evidence was found to war
rant the holding Of Miss Ashe for the
action of the grand jury. she was
therefore committed to Jail to await
trial.