The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-02-11
Told Story Without
Break or Falter.
Says He Last Saw His Mother
With Ed knight.


record OF the courts OF the country has
the evidence Of child not Jet I'VE years
Of age been Of so great moment, 20 filled
with dramatic interest In that the life
of man prominent among his towns
men may depend upon It II 1t is left to
stand unquestioned,a as today, when Fred
die Spragus testified in the Supre me
Court ana said positively that Edwin ii.
knight, the accused man, was with his
mother just previous to the murder. The
absolute freedom OF the child from en-
barrassment, the direct but unconscious
way in which he answered every quss-
tion, and his keen memory of events
which happened neaely year ago when
he was only three and . half years OF
age, makes his evidence II not borne down
by greater weight OF evidences, which may
aim to show that the child was educated
to the subject, all the more remarkable.
The day was further one OF intense in
teEest in that the defense in its opening
Declared that the accused man will go
on the stand and account for every mo-
ment OF his time ON the morning OF May
LIST, the day OF the murder, and thai
the testimony of the witnesses which 1t
has win go to prove that 1t was physi-
cal i'm possibility for the defendant to
reach his home from the scene OF the
crime ut the time he did.
The prisoner has the appearance Of a
spectator very much interested in the
proceedings. Only few times thus far
has he given evidence OF a particular con-
Germ, and chats pleasantly with friends,
Offering suggestions from time to time
to his counsel, near whom he has his
seat. lie 10 q clean out, Intelligent look
ing business man. His wife, surround
ed by her friends, has been unfailing In
her attendance at every session since the
opening.
The trial will undoubtedly occupy the
greater part OF the coming week, and
even a more keen legal contest than that
which marked the submission OF the
states case is looked for as the evidence
Of the defencs is slowly gathered from
large number of witnesses.
Witness Roland w. Libby, a surveyor,
was recalled and testified briefly as to the
accuracy of photographs Of ths scene of
the tragedy.
Samuel S. Locke was recalled. His ex-
animation was brief and simply verified
previous testimony. Cross-examined,
witness recognized the letter which he
had written to Fannie Sprague. He was
asked "a to the import Of certain phrases
he used in said letter to impute the char
acter OF his action with the murdered
woman to which he replied In the affirm
alive. Witness corroDorated his answers
relative to the actions of witnesses ana
the Sprague woman. given at the inquest
held after the murder. Witness admitted
that his actions with the murdered wom-
an had not been proper
Deputy Herbert A. Spencer on the
stand showed the portion of the clothing
removed from the body Of the murdered
woman.
Mrs. Warren, who saw the Sprague
woman go to the spring for water on
May LIST, identified the portions of the
dress shown as part CT that worn by her
at the time of that eTrand.
Mrs Mary K. Littletisld testified that
previous to the birth OF Freddie Sprague
respondent was seen TALKING to the
Sprague woman.
William Morley. the next witness, said
he worked on the Goodwin place In
search for the rounds from the cross-cart,
which 1t was testified were left there
de did not find nor did hs see the ones
found by the officers who searched with
him.
The attorney general addressed Judge
Powers that the last witness tbs state
wished to bring forward was Freddie
Sprague, the little son OF the murdered
woman. The jury was allowed to retire.
The attorney general said the only
question as to the admissability OF evil
dencs from q child of tender years was
whether or not the child had natural in
telligence. There was an amusing test
w hen Attorney Yeaton showed the boy
a newspaper heading, the letters OF which
he was, with q few exceptions, unable to
name. Attorney Yeaton, in his argu-
ment on the question OF admission OF the
boys evidence said that the test of intel
ligence alone without moral les ponsibili-
ty, rendered absolutely worth lie rs the tes-
timony given. That the child has shown
the result OF special instruction along
certain lines he said, Is too apparent to
be denied, Continuing Attorney Yeaton
said: "That the child has intelligence
sufficiently developed to be allowed to
testify In a case OF this kind must be
open In very great degree to controver-
sy. he was unabls to read inch-long
letters shown him: unable to determine
one OF those letters with the single excep-
tion OF a. unable TO tell the time; un-
able to stats the number Of days he has
been In this court. At the time OF this
occurrence be was only 3 l-2 years old
and after lapse Of over year this child