The Portland daily press., 1900-06-13
HUNT FOR CHAMPION.


Coroner's Jury Began To Hear Evil
dence Yesterday.
West Newfeld, June l2.-work in con-
nection with the tragedy on the Goodwin
farm near this place was continued all
night by those interested in the case. The
most serious attention was directed TO-
wards tracing the man Champion who Is
wanted In connection with the case, be-
cause Of the suspicion that he Is respon-
sible for the death of all who perished.
Officers Miles and Spencer were on the
road during the night and their investi-
CATION developed the fact that Champion
was seen few miles below Sanbornville
yesterday. Sanbornville is about eight or
ten miles from the Goodwin house.
From evidence thus far obtained it ap-
pears thatC Champion is well supplied with
money and apparently there was no desire
on'his part to cover up his tracks.
Tha ruins of the Goodwin house have
been thoroughly searched and all the evil
dence in connection with the case is in
the hands Of the authorities. In their
opinion there is no possible doubt that
murder was committed and the place set
ON fire to conceal the crime. The mutila-
tion of the bodies of Mr.. Goodwin and
Bertsch, the hired man, is considered un-
mis- taxable proof that they were the VIC
tins of foul play. The activity of the
authorities in trying to follow Champion
was not abated today. From the fact that
the fugitive apparently made only ten
miles yesterday, strong hopes are felt
that they will come up with him today.
The police today interviewed Mrs.
Leonard Hill, said to be relative of Geo.
Champion. Mrs. Hill 1t is thought can
tell something of Champions where
abouts yesterday, as the police have re-
ceiyed evidence to the effect that he spent
part of the day at her house.
When she was questioned this morning
her answers were so evasive that sum-
mons was served upon her to attend the
coroner's inquest when she will be called
upon to tell all she knows about the case.
The inquest was begun this morning at
the residence of A. Q Mitchell, chair
man of the Newileld selectmen. Coroner
Moulton had summoned a number of wit
l5HSCs, diiphS NhV4h cOhii DiS"s A<'oes
Moore, Rachel Wadieigh and Lena Smart
who told that they saw Champion in the
doorway of the Goodwin residence late
Sunday afternoon. The various members
of neighboring families also testified.
Samuel o. Moore stated that Scott
Goodwin stopped at his house Sunday
evening on the way home from church
l., che ftxv, ftsar Tor n'e1Ael
George G. Reed testified that Fred
Bertsch, the farm hand, visited his home
early Sunday evening and remained until
nearly nine O'Clock
The testimony of the two families ac-
counts for what to some has been unex-
plainable, that "a man like Champion
could have killed two men like young
Goowdin and Bertsh. Goodwin might
have been an easy victim, but Bert sch,
who was tall and we'll built would not
have proved so easy If the murderer
should have tackled both of them at the
same time. The difference in the time of
the arrival of the two at the Goodwin
house accounts for the success of the
murderer in killing both and the terribly
mutilated condition of Bertsch's body
when found, shows that he made a desper-
ate effort for his life.
The coroner's jury adjourned at two
O'Clock subject to call sometime tomor
row.
The coroner and County Attorney W
S.Matthews then went to East Wakefield
to take the deposition of Mrs. Bertha
Glidden, who is supposed to know some
thing about the case.
There were ten witnesses in all before
the coroner's jury today, and at its close
1t was stated that thers is no doubt what
ever that Champion was the person who
committed the crimes.
CHAMPIONS BOSTON CRIME.
Boston, June 12.-The news from West
Newfield, which show; thai the authori-
ties are anxious to find George Champion
who was said to have been near the Good
win place which was burned, it is be-
lieyed, TO conceal the murder of four per
sons on Saturday, has aroused deep in
terest in police circles here, as George
Champion is wanted here for examination
In connection with mysterious assault
ease. 1t is generally believed that the po
lice of Boston and Of West Newfieh ar,
trying to trace the same man. The man
wanted in Boston left here June the day
after Harold Poole, sailor boy, was
found unconscious from a fractured skull
in Brookline. Champion was with Pools
when he was last seen before he was hurt
Yesterday Mrs. Champion moved away
Where she went is not known. Neighbors
of Mrs. Champion say she told them be
fore the Poole assault case became known
that Champion had written to farmers in
Maine for work.