Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-03-01
STATE HOUSE.
Another Hearing on Charles
|. .BeaI Pardon Case.
The Petitioners Finally Given Lea e
to Withdraw by the Council.
Adjournment TO March 2C-Ddd lettings ire m
The Departments.

- nearing developed at an uneXpect-
"a moment, Wednesday afternoon, be
fore Governor Powers and the Coun-
cll Of rather more than usual interest
and Of unusual eloquence. 1t was that
Of the second hearing of a petition for
a pardon Of Charles l.. Real of Clinton
who is serving a life sentence in the
State prison for poisoning his father il
the fall of 1883. Mayor Warren G.
Philbrook was the attorney who pre-
sented the case, as in the first in
stance. and he was also the junior
counsel in the defence at the time OF
the trial, nearly Il years ago.
He brought out some new evidence
to show that there was n doubt about
the guilt of the man. Beal. but all his
cloqucnce was Of no avail as the Coun-
Gil in executive session voted to give
the petitioners leave to withdraw.
The facts presented by Mr.. Philbrook
We're clear CROUCH and they were not
questioned. but the Council as a rule
does not like to go behind the decis-
ion of a jury and the sentence after
the prisoner is found guilty. If cause
is shown why man should be rel2as-
ed or if anything goes to show con-
clusiVrly that the man was WrOnged
they are ever ready. but they dislk
tt raI N 9 man on new evidence that
r.. ~ goes To substantiate some Of
the claims at the trial.
Judge PhilbroCk made one of the
most eloquent appeals and logical ar
guments that the Council has had the
pleasure of listening to. but ne was
handicapped in the condition Of af-
fairs.
Charles Beal was convicted. 50 Mr..
Philbrook said. merely on his own evil
dence The father. trader, had been
poisoned. Charles Beal testified before
the coroners jury that he had found a
bottle of liquor in the barrel where
his father kept the whiskey and had
taken it to a nearby stable. 1t tasted
badly and he threw it into the manure
pile. The officers found the liquor and
the analysis proved it to be strychnine
that made the odd taste. Then the
State merely set about to prove some
connection with the poison and Charles
Beal.
It was claimed that on a certain
night Charles Beal entered the drug
store of ]. II. McManus in Waterville,
and inquired about strychnine
Charles Beal denied this. Hon. l.. u.
Carver, then coroner. saw one Of the
Beal boys in the store that night. He
first thought it George and then de-
cided that it was Charles. Nothing
went to prove Charles claim that he
was not the one. and it stood in court
as the worst feature against him.
Mr.. Philbrook tried to prove it was
George and looked for the young mans
name on the Waterville House regis
ter. but the leaf had been cut out.
Since the last hearing, III August. Mr.
Philhrook has found the proprietor of
the hotel and he certifies that George
Beal, the brother. was IN the city that
day. This was given on an affidavit
made by the man. Waite. in Bangor
He did not know what became Of the
leaf in the register that day. He
furthermore said he was summoned to
Augusta at the trial, that the cOuntyS
attorney asked him privately if it We're
not Charles who was in the city that
night, and upon receiving a strong re-
ply that it was certainly George, was
told he had better go home. and he
was not called upon the witness stand
Then Mr. PhilbroOk brought signed
statements from Frank Beal. an eX-
press messenger between Bangor ana
Portland. we'll and favorably known in
Augusta. and Miss Matte Beal of this
city, both cousins of the other Beal
BOYS These statements said thaJ
George Bral said at the time Of the
trial that it was he and not Charles
who was in the drug store. And yet"
said Mr. Philbrook, 'he stood by and
in ,,rAN-intr his lrtt hpT tln
one"
Be it known now that the claim OF
Mr.. Philbrook and Charles Beal is that
George Beal is the one who committed
the crime George Beal has long since
disappeared. says Mr. PhilDrook, ana
cannot be found.
The Council. however, voted leave to
Withdraw.
The Councils business was not of
long duration. Only the routine out
side the hearing was taken up.
The board of pharmacy commission
ers reported that they had examined
&c candidates for certificates to
compound medicines and had grant
ed % registered druggists certificates
and four as qualified assistants.
Adjournment was made to Tuesday,
March 20, at p. NJ.
A school of military examination will
be called for a day next week when cap
tain John NJ. Bird of Rockland. will be
examined as to his qualifications for the
position of major in the LIST Regiment.
Three officers elect of the Rockland com
pany, Captain NJ. ]. Conley Of portland.
and a second lieutenant-elect Of GO. II OF
Waterville. will make up the list Of men
70 he examined by the board.
The voltage Of the State House was
made equal in all its parts by the cleo
tricians. Wednesday. 1t has previously
been of 1Oi in the old part of the house
and 80 in the new section. All is now set
ot 104 with l6 candle power lights IN the
burners.
The report of the superintendent 81
schools was received from the plnder
"wednesday. and Mr.. Wiggin began th1