The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-01-18

later with his wife and went a short dis
tance. and returned. 1t showed a little
when the fire occurred at Blake's house.
The door between his mothers room and
the parlor frequently came open and some.
times bound. He planed it off. The How
ards always treated him kindly and he
appreciated it, Had no hard feelings against
any of them.
Harriet Blake. mother of the accused
told Of the events of the night. There was
never any trouble between Lauren and the
Howards. Lauren and his wife frequently
went out evenings before the Hustus fire, but
had not since that time. They were not out
the night of the fire except as Lauren had
testified.
The Court here adjourned to Tuesday
morning.
At the opening of the Court Tuesday
morning, Mrs. Lauren Blake was called
and her testimony was substantially the
same as that of her husband and his
mother.
The case was ably argued by Arthur
Ritchie. Esq, for the defense, and by Coun-
ty Attorney Elery Bowden for the State.
Judge Fogler charged the jury briefly.
After referring to the amount of evidence
necessary to convict in a criminal case
proof beyond the possibility of doubt
and the Importance of direct and circum-
stantial evidence, he spoke of the elements
that enter into this case: The opportunity,
had and which no one else had the motive,
such as gain, hatred, revenge, or malice;
and the conduct of the prisoner before and
after the event. He charged the jury to
weigh all the evidence for and against and
render their verdict accordingly.
The jury retired at II Is and at II 45 re-
turned verdict of guilty.
The defense filed exceptions and mo-
tion for a new trial, addressed to the presid-
ing judge, and the motion was ably argued
by MIR. McLellan for the defense and the
County Attorney for the State. Judge Fog
Ter Ter stated that the case having been fully
and fairly tried by jury of twelve men
whom he personally knew to be fully the
equal at least of the average of jurors in
this or any other county; and as the case
involved no question of law, but only Of
fact, he should deny the motion. This de-
cision is final under the law, and the YER
dict of guilty stands.
Blake was sentenced to two years and six
months in the State prison,
Saturday the officers found some evidence
which appears on its face to connect Blake
with a number of other depredations that
have occurred in Montville. There have
been losses by theft of mutton at Howard 8
and some parties have accused Blake of steal
ing it. This he denied, and has stoutly aver
red that he has had no mutton or hardly any
other meat since he moved into town. The
officers in searching his house found in the
ash pit in the chimney among the new ashes
deposited there tins winter, not only guam
tity of partly burned mutton bones but sur
glcai and dental instruments which were
stolen from DR.. Ramsey; tools stolen from
Volney Thompson, and other lost property
Choate, who was indicted for the theft of
these articles, was released on bail until the
April term of Court. If the evidence is then
found to impicate Blake, Choate will be re-
nnla rfh
is found.
There are some who believe that Blake, if
not entirely innocent, was a tool in the
hands of others, or one of the gang, and it is
claimed that since he and his family have
been away from the house others have had
the opportunity to put the stolen articles
where they were found. The officers say
that the house has been thoroughly guarded
since the Blakes left and o one has had
the opportunity to place anything there.
Detective Odlin thinks they have convict
ed the right man, and he speaks in the high
est terms of the diligence and fairness of
Sheriff Nortou in his work in the case.
fiigh School Notes.
The Rhetoric class is studying "letter
writing"
Maine Hills. '03 is among the members
who have joined the American Literature
class. We wish them joy in making up last
terms work.
Miss Lillian Smalley, '03, has left school,
The Tell-Tale is to be issued next week.
Classical music is now the recess pastime.
The Freshmen who were conditioned in
their studies are making them up to the
teachers in the last period
The Rhetoric class will soon begin the
study of Longfellow's Tales of Wayside
Inn."
Miss Cleora R. Haney, '99, has joined the
Senior Greek class.
The Junors are studying Halevy's ''L'abbe
Constantin.'
A Sophomore has joined the English His.
tory class.
Some of the Sophomores seem to think
the school keeps fashionable hours.
Mr.. Hatch, '9S, has joined the Sophomore
Greek class.
Superintendent Brick has repaired the
plate electrical machine for the use ol
the scholars in physics and it will soon
be returned to the High school labora.
tory. 1t has been out of repair and quite
badly broken for some time. The Leyden
jar, which is used in connection with the
machine, was made by E. j. Morrison, under
the direction of W. A. Huston, the High
school teacher in 1868 or SO.
SOPHOMORE SUGGESTIONS
A fruit.
A Maine college.
What everyone ought to be.
| famous battle.
| Houses.
| The capital of Texas
| style of hat.
| A State.
| Opposite of fat.
Mr.. BouteIle's Condition.
BOSTON, JAN 16 A repOrt which was