Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-12
BILL HANDS
Tells of His Share in the
Mosher Murder.
Was With. GRAHAM at House, but
Did Not See Deed Committed,
Stories Do Not Agree, but Nc Sticks 10 Jha,
Told Yesterday.

rAo3hcr. Joseph Kelley. the convict IN
whom Graffam told the story of the
old lady ana her son in Gorham, took
the stand and related the conversation
he had with the respondent. YIN
Hands, the negro, who admits being at
the Moshcr house on the night of the
murder, testified that GRAHAM wa,; the
MIN Whom he accompanied to the
spot Inc courtroom at both morniu-
ana afternoon sessions was crowded
with interested spectators who had
been attracted by the possibility of
sensational Developments Every
available inch of space in the cour,
room was occupied and scores were
turned away.
Graftam made his appearance under.
the usual escort. his face calm and
lmpaSsIVc and seemingly not at all in
tcrestcd in or annoyed by the hundreds
who looked at him.
On motion of Mr.. True, counsel for
the prisoner, all the witnesses who will
he called to identify Hanis and Graf
fam as being together at different
times were excluded from the court
as their names are called.
The first witness was Arthur f. Rich
ardson. the man to whom Mrs. Moshcr
reported the murder. He told of Mrs
Mosher coming to his house about mid
night and telling him of the crime He
went Immediately to Wcstbrook and
returned to the Mosher place with the
officers about 10 o'clock They entered
the house and found everything in q
state of disorder, furniture broken and
blood stains in nearly every ROOM In
Cliffords room trunks. boxes and
drawers had been opened and their
contents scattered about.
Clifford MoShcr'S body was found in
the parlor. There was large scar on
on the forehead. the skull was crushed
in and the wall near which the body
lay was Smeared with blood. ON the
table there was a large bloodstained
club and evidences of fierce struggle
were found both in the parlor and
kitchen. The next morning witness cx-
amned tracks about the house The
tracks led to the rear of the buildings
and then down the road toward West
brook.
.NpthIiiS VI WAS Drought
out in the CroSS-cXamination.
Sheriff Samuel F.. Pearson was the
next witness. He said he arrived at
the Mosher farm about ! o'clock sun
da y morning and told of conditions
practically the same as described by
the former witness. He then identified
a. bIoodstained stick and lantern as
PARTICLES found by him and taken from
the Moshcr house during his first visit.
He also identified two shoes as a pair
he had previously measured and which
correspondcd very closely to tracks
found near the Moshcr farm.
Dr. John F. Thompson was called
and testified that on the Sunday fol
lowing the murder he went to Cor
ham. and made an examination of the
body.of the murdered man. He de-
scribed the wounds found on the body.
The principal wounds were three frac-
lures of the skull Any of these
wounds would have caused death. 1t
was his opinion that the wounds were
caused by hard blows with a blunt in
strument. The man was in good
physical condition before the wounds
were inflicted.
s@uclln ctiIso Nao tliNii iSN"',~
and testified that when he found tn"
body a pair of cotton drawers were
twisted about the dead mans neck. 1t
appeared that man with bloody
hands had grasped the garment at
either end.
Joseph Kelley, the convict VINO
claims GRAHAM told him of an Oh
woman with Il Wcakminded son ana
lois of money while they were together
in the State prison. followed Sheriff
Pearson on the stand. He said he hfst
met Graffam in the Portland jail, ana
the acquaintance later was renewed
when both were in the State prison.
While in prison the two were thrown
together frequently and one day prai-
fam told witness that he knew an o''i
lady in Gorham who had son ana
considerable money. GRAHAM Said tnt
old lady was deaf and that II wouiu
he easy to get the money. He propo'
cd that the witness join him in the Pio-
icct but this witness refused 10 40.
Kelley first told the story on the uaS
.fter the Gorham murder was commit
tod When he was told that an OH
lady and her son had been attackeu
and the latter killed. Kelley repiicu.
THAT is the very place Graham to'u
me about" 49,,
In .cross-examinatiOn he SAID nc toi
pobodv about the conversation ne hao
with Graffam until after the u''N :
Mr.. True then read from the 'o''
records of the sentencing of one '"He II
Kelley to several terms in the count
Jail and State prison. for larceny ~ -.
.ay;ootion and other causes. Some OF
these Kelley owned up to. while 'he
others he denied. There were 10 ie''' e''
in all. ,;o,
wm. Hands. the alleged accomphce
20 E,aw,rd Graffam. was then place"
,,non the stand and told stor! vi ~.
affair which differed from any pue
ouslv published it practically fo'io" =
"a tho outline given in the opening -
,. Attorney WhitehOuSe, yeSte'