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

throughout the trial. The respondent plead
ed not guilty and the case was opened Fri
Fred l.. Palmer, foreman, Monroe; M. A.
Harden, Knox; True S. Heagan, Belfast
Ralph ii. Howes. Belfast; Adelbert Knight,
Belfast; 81. B. LemaD, Palermo; Anson
Leonard, Morrill,; George G.. Pierce, Belfast
Frank L. Philbrick. Tho:ndike; George R.
Wilbur H. Ridley, Stockton Springs The
jury went to Montville Saturday to view the
premises.
The case was re. opened Monday morning
by County Attorney Bowden, after which
eleven witnesses for the State were called
and sworn. Hollis NJ. Howard of Montvile
was the first to testify. He stated that he
was at his barn to do the chores betwee
sunset and dark the afternoon of Dec. 9th !;
that he had no light or matches. He closed
and fastened all the doors. He was up about
O'Clock next morning caring for a sick child,
and his son Mark told him the small barn
was on fire. Mark dressed hastily and went
out, but witness remained indoors. Two
barns and smaller building were burned
The new barn. which was 40x60 feet, was in
sured for $3.50, the other buildings for S25
each. The cattle and moving machine
were saved. The hay, carts, harrows, har-
nesses, sleighs and the farm implements and
tools were burned. Blake was burned out
in the Hustus house Oct. 23d and the next
day applied for the rent in Ralph Howard's
house. He moved in soon after The Blakes
came to his house nearly every day and were
given food and other necessaries. One day
Blake asked him to haul him some wood to
haul some groceries from the store and to
have Mark come down and sleep in the house
while he (Blake) was away. Witness then
gave Blake some advice about working and
trying to support himself. Blake left, ap-
pareLtly in anger. The Hustus house was
burned Oct. 23d, and the White house, near
by some time before
Mark L. Howard, son of Hollis M cor.
roborated his father in the main points, and
gave detailed account of his work at the
fire. He found the door of the small barn
open about foot and half when he got
there. The brother of the witness. Ralph
w. Howard, had some grain and lumber
stored at the house where Blake lived. Mark
saw some of this grain in Blakes hen pen
and moved the grain and lumber to his
fathers house. Blake told him there was a
fire started at his house the same night
Hollis Howard's barns were burned. Wit
ness Went down there and found a box,
near the house, partly burned 1t was a
Stickney & Poor packing case, with a cover
of rough boards fastened TO the top by
hinges made of strips of leather cut from
boot leg. There were small holes bored in
the sides, and an extra bottom was put on
| in snch way as to leave small open space
between it and the sides. The box was filled
with straw, shavlngs, etc. The day before
the fire the witness fitted window in the
| teup at his brothers place, leaving the
| shavjngs on the floor. They were gone next
day Behind the barn they found pile of
straw, on which was shingle weighted by a
stone There was snow on the ground under
the straw, but none on top. Blake told
witness that he saw the fire before the
Howards did; that he was at home and saw
the light before any one gave the alarm. He
did not go up because he was afraid that
whoever set that fire would come and burn
him out.
| Ralph W. Howard testified to the bargain
by which Blake moved into the house Blake
was to have his rent Free with what wood
! he needed for home use. He was to look
after the place and keep things in order. He
had the Of bedstead, some chars a
stove, etc, his having been destroyed in the
Hustus tire He testified to many points
the same his brother-about the box, the
pile of straw, the grain and boards, etc. He
Was teaching school in Searsmont up to the
day after the fire.
The Court adjourned for dinner after
which Arthur Jackson was called. He cor
roborated the others about the burning of
the II. M. Howard barns, the condition
around the Blake house, etc.
j. G. Carey, selectman of Montville, lives
miles from the Howard place. Saw a fire
| in that direction about O'Clock the morn
ing of Dec. 9th. Learned what it was about
| 8 o'clock. Went to Howard's and Blake's
| Will IT, "A. SpTOWl anu OGn6rS IN ul6 alter
noon. Saw where there had been a fire on
the side of the Blake house. Testified the
same as the others about the box, the straw,
| etc. Saw no snow on the top of the rock.
Compared the straw with that in the sheep
| pen at the Blake place; it was similar. The
| boards on the fence were of the same kind
as the cover on the box.
E. A. Sprowl, selectman, corroborated Mr..
Carey as to the conditions at Blake's. There
was no snow on the rock. Found a match
one-third burned near the box, on the snow.
| Frank A. Cushman testified the same as
the two preceding witnesses; also that the
| fire at H. M. howard's spread over quite a
large portion of the ground near the build
ings.
W. A. Poland was at the H. NJ Howard
fire. Saw Blake in the forenoon Blake
said his buildings had been fired and wit
snow about4 O'Clock. Showed about half
inch. The fire spread over considerable
ground at Fl. NJ. Howard's.
| Ralph Howard, recalled said he heard of
box like that found at Blakes in the pos
session of one Stevens. Asked Blake to go
to the Stevens neighborhood and learn
something about it.
S. G. Norton, Sheriff, went to Montville
the afternoon of Dec 9th. Described things
at the Blake house substantially as did the
other witnesses. Said to Blake ut is funny
two fires should follow you" Blake replied,
| Ou AOOuu dCCuSc uu0 VI buIS L all luuO-
cent and l can prove it," Blake told the
sheriff that the fire was at his house about /
O'Clock and at 81. M. Howard's about an
hour later. 1t was on the little corner board
of the small barn, towards the large barn
1t was some little time before he heard any
alarm. When asked why he didn't give an
| alarm Blake said he didn't think of it,
Found pieces of leather at Blake's similar to
the hinges on the box.
Mark F. Messer testified to the box and
| other things at Blake's. There was no snow
| in the box the cover was open when he frs,
| saw it.
Frederick L. Odlin, detective of Lewiston
| arrived in Montville Dec. 11th. Saw Blake
Dec. 10Th. Blake told him he was burned
out in the Hustus house and moved 70 the
| Howard house. His mother called him the
morning of Dec. 9th and he found fire OF
the outside of the house. Put the fire out
and pulled the banking of brush away from
that part of the house. After putting ou,
the fire he and his wife built fire and
| warmed themselves. Saw the fire at H. NJ
Howard's; did not give any alarm. Did not
go to the fire; was afraid to leave home
after his own house had been atire. Witness
saw Blake again the 23d. He then told the
same story as before. Blake said: "1hey
needn't accuse me of this; am Innocent
Blake said nothing to the contrary about be
ing on other than friendly terms with the
Howards.
John Perry lives half mile beyonC
Blakes. Passed Blake's house on his way
to the fire. Gave an alarm as he went. Saw