Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-06-15
EDWARD GRAHAM
Takes Stand to Clear Himself
Of Murder Charge.
Tells a Straight Story and Is In
shaken on Cross-Examinatiou.
Expected That All The Evidence will Be In BY
Saturday Night.

Portland Me-. June 1.-THE princi-
pal event of interest in the GRAHAM
trial. today. was the testimony of Ed
ward GRAHAM, the respondent. who
took the stand at $50 this afternoon,
and whose examination took nearly
the entire session.
GRAHAM made an excellent witness
straight story of his movements since
leaving the State prison, Oct. 16, 1900,
and never allowing himself to be caught
by conflicting statements in his cross
examination.
His answers to Attorney General Sci
ders, who conducted the cross-eXami-
nation for the State, were quick, de-
cided and often somewhat defiant.
The defence introduced medical tes-
timony to the effect that there was IA
slight blood stain on the left sleeve of
Graffam's coat but none on his trou-
sers, vest or shirt.
1t is expected that all the evidence
will be in, tomorrow.
Nearly the entire forenoon session of
the trial was occupied by witnesses for
the defense, who testified that Hands
and GRAHAM were in Portland and
vicinity at the time witnesses for the
State have testified the men were in
Boston.
When the first attempt was made to
introduce such testimony Attorney
4, -; ont N al p..ti n 4,
the ground that the defense wished
merely to attempt to disprovc the tes-
timony of witnesses for the State.
and that such testimony of the defense
was not admissible.
Upon Mr.. True's request the jury re-
tired for a few minutes, while the
question was argued by counsel. and
finally the judge ruled that if the de-
fence wished to prove that the men
really were in Portland upon any given
day. they were at liberty to present
testimony, but if their desire was to
discredit the witnesses for the State, it
would not be admissible. The jury
was then recalled and the examination
of witnesses continued.
The first witness was Judge w. T..
Emmons of Saco. clerk of the supreme
judicial court of York county. He pro-
duCed the record OF the court and read
thcrefrom records of cases in which
Joseph Kelley of Saco. had figured
The records dated from 1872 and show
ed that Kelley had been sentenced TO
at least four terms for larceny and
burglary. Kelley appeared on the stond
for the State Tuesday. and testified
tn him while
both were at the state prison. that they
rob Il house occupied by deaf old
lady and her simple minded SON. af-
ter their terms expired.
Patrolman J. r. Hayes of Biddeford.
testified that he was at the depot when
the night Pullman for Boston came In
soon after O'Clock Sunday morning,
Jan. IS last. AS is his usual custom he
looked closely at the steps on the
blind end of the baggage car to see
if any person was stealing a ride. There
was nobody on the platform. On cross
examination he said he did not enter
the train and could not say that Graf
fam was on board. James VIM, Il
gate tender at BiddefOrd. corroborated
Witness Hayes testimony.
1t was when Alvah J. Cole, a Saco
stable keeper. testified that on Satur-
day. Jan. II. he saw Hands and Graf
fam in Saco that Attorney General
Soldiers made his objection to this kind
of testimony After an argument OF
counsel. during which time the jury
was excluded from the court room.
however. the defence was permitted to
examine their witnesses on condition
that the attempted to prove some
thing and not to attempt to discredit
the States witnesses.
MI Cole then continued, saying that
he was positive the men We're Hands
and Graffam as he saw them within a
few feet. His attention was attracted
ia them particularly because the col
orcd man seized his horses head when
the animal became unmanageaDle. IN
cross examination he said the time OF
this occurrence was Friday instead Oh
Saturday.
Orliscia r. Ames testified that she
was employed in Dickinson's restau-
rant. Portland. Jan. II. and that on
that day at $50 p. NJ. Hands and Graf
fam came to the place and had lunch.
w. F. Dickinson, the proprietor OF the
restaurant. corroborated the testimony
given by Miss Ames.
Two witnesses. said to represent the
Only shipping offices in the city, test1-
fed that they knew GRAHAM and that
he did not call at their offices during
the month of January.
Capt. George NJ. York of South Port
land. said that GRAHAM sailed with him
one trip to South America several years
ago. and that on the vessel he was not
ed for his gentleness. On cross-exam-
nation he said he knew nothing about
the prisoners general reputation for
peaceableness.
Several witnesses then testified that
Graham was employed at the Kittery
navy yard during the month of De-
cember and up to Jan. or 5.
The first witness in the afternoon
was John Bragdon, who conducted
night lunch cart at Westbrook. About
o'clock on the night of Jan. II.
stranger entered his cart and bought a
ham sandwich. When he left friend
told him there was a negro going up
tho opposite side of the street. The wit
moss said the stranger was not Edward
GRAHAM.
Henry Lunt testified that in COM
CONTINUED on page 81