Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1900-02-26
SARGENT FREE.
Continued from page -

mcnt that the court instruct the iury
to bring in verdict of not guilty"
As Attorney General Hafnes took
his seat the great crowd in the court
room gave rounds of applause which
lasted fully minute and was only
stopped by the most vigorous efforts
of the officers. When the applause had
ceased, Judge Powers said:
Mr.. Attorney, your request meets
the approbition of the court"
Then turning to the jury he con-
tinucd:
MIR. Foreman and gentlemen of the
jury. | instruct you to bring in verdict
Of not guilty in this case, and to 50 an
swer through your foreman when asked
BY the clerk"
The jury followed the instructions
Then the attorney general moved that
the indictment for the murder Of William
Goliath be mol prnsd.
The scene that followed was a most
affecting one. The respondent shook
hands with his counsel, while tears rolled
nc prosecuting attorneys for their action
i'll the case. ana the crowd dispersed.
after having witnessed scene unlike
any ever Witnessed in the Maine courts.
Sargent. the respondent. in telling the
story Of the affair to the court. said
I'VE started for the fishing trip az noon
on Aug. III. 1888. we made the uSuaI prep
aratipns, dug bait. got out lines and went
down to Goodwin stream. We found
boat had never seen before. VIII
Goliath ana Harry Quimby got il and
pushed off. There We're three paddles in
he boat ana used one. | had a bamboo
fishing pole We iished with boat NOV
ing dill not enter the pond. keeping to
the stream. once we anchored near the
inlet Of the stream to the pond. At last
We anchored some rods up the stream.
where the occurrence took place. We had
rr-hf MI irr1a-
but Quimby never took thing.
Goliath proposed to move upstream.
He tried to get up the anchor, the bow
tipped and we went into the water.
shouted II the boys to grab the boat and
struck for the shore. | looked around
and saw Colbaths head just above water.
| went back for him and he grabbed me
so hard that to save myself ! had to kick
myself loose and swim back. The boys
went over and | had to get to hard land
somehow. / stayed in the woods all
night and i'm the morning found the road.
The accident happened about O'Clock,
but there was no sun that day and |
couldn't just say what time it was. In
the night / lost off my ruhbers and one
stocking. | cut my foot and took off my
frock to wrap around it. Then | lost the
frock off the foot. That night ! wandered
Il got up at sunrise next morning, and
walked until | found the wood road.
When | first got out | was completely
turned around J saw some buildings and
finally recognized them. Then | went to
the main road coming out near Mckin-
neys house Met Mckinney and Wallace
there. then went to Goodwins house.
There ! met Anuis and Goodwin and told
them Of the affair. | went into the house
and went To bed chilled and exhausted
In characterization Sargent said that
he swan distance OF 50 or 40 feet to the
shore and that he did not think that the
boat capsized. lie said that he and Col
bath drank several times from the
whisky flask and cider Jug they had with
them but he did not consider that he was
drunk.