Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-28

possible that verdict may be reached
by tomorrow night.
Best was neatly arraycd as usual and
appeared calm as he resumed his place
as a witness. Best said that few days
after his partner, Bailey. disappeared.
he found a sum OF money, $14. inside a
candy box in the drawer OF a bureau.
Bailey's eold-filled watch was with the
money. Best said he left the articles
in the drawer until the following Mon
day morning, when he placed them in
his pocket.
Later. witness testified. he placed
both the watch and money in a paper
and concealed them under the floor OF
the barn, where they We're found by the
officers This, he said, was the fact
which he had concealed from State Of
ficer Neal, when questioned by him.
Witness expected the articles would be
found any way after his arrest.
Best said he had had no conversation
with Stiles. but that he drew Il plan of
the barr and told his brother-in-law 10
get the watch and conceal it. He never
used the words Il am lost if the watch
is found" in talking with Stiles.
Best spoke of the three dogs at the
farm. He said one had died and that
George thought it had been poisoned
These dogs, said witness, barked at all
strangers or unusual noises about the
farm.
Witness declared that he did not re-
member that he ever said he was afraid
that Bailey would come back and kill
him He said he never told Stiles that
he hated Bailey and he never told him
that he heard Bailey came back after
he went away that Monday night.
Witness said that Bailey broke his
hair watch chain on Sunday or Monday
before he disappeared, while lifting a
barrel. He said Bailey had said some
thing about leaving the place in the
fall He said there was an old boot on
the democrat wagon. but Bailey cut it
up and used the pieces in repairing
harnesses.
The attorney general conducted the
cross examination of Best. He asked
the witness if he had not heard that
Floating Bridge pond had no bottom.
Best said. mo" and added that he
wouldn't have believed it if he had
heard it. The attorney general asked
him what he meant by that answer and
Best said every pond must have
bottom"
Best said he had taken prizes for
craftsmanship. 10, II or Is years ago.
Are YOU acquainted with this ritle?"
asked the attorney general.
What rifle" asked the witness.
all tho
week" replied the attorney general.
Didn't you know what rifle | meant?"
he asked somewhat sharply.
Il didn't knew but you had one in
your pocket" was the answer
He admitted that he was fairly well
acquainted with it and said that he had
used IT some. He said that it hung on
a hook in the kitchen and that the
cartridges were kept in closet. He
denied that he ever said to any one that
he lighted the fire in the rubbish on the
farm because he expected the owners
I'D there Tuesday. He was asked if
there was a fire there, Tuesday, and he
said that he thought there were the re-
mains Of one in the yard between the
house and barn.
the night before?
Il did not
The attorney general repeated the
question. Best answered Il tell you
that | did not know that it rained
hard all right
At the request Of the attorney gen
eraI the witness went all over his testi-
mony concerning the bon fire.
..Of course you knew that the fire
was suspicious circumstance, he was
asked.
Nothing of the kind ever came into
my mind. l had clear conscience"
said Best
isn't it true that you didn't want
Winnie Rowe to have any blood from
this thumb on the premises?
Continued on page %