Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-25
COOL AND UNMOVED.
Best Holds Nerve in Spite OF
Damaging Evidence.
Defence Tries to Show III-feeling Be-
tween Stiles and Best.
Officers Tell Of Finding Watch and Money al
Brcakhcart Hill Farm.

Salem, Mass, March 2i.-The sixth
day of the trial of John G. Best,
charged with the murder of George l..
Bailey in Saugus on the night of Mon
day, Oct. s, last, before the superior
court in this city, closed, last evening
with the case far from finished. The
case is being tried before Judges Sher-
man and Fox and Il jury of II men,
1t was begun, Monday morning last
the jury being empanelled in the fore
noon. The afternoon session was de-
voted to the opening statement of Dis
trict Attorney Peters and the intro
duction of some preliminary evidence
Tuesday forenoon, the jury took Il
view of the place in Lynn where the
body was found in bags.
Since then, the time has been spent
in the presenta ton of the evidence of
the government. First. as to the old rat
Ting wagon which it is claimed by the
government was driven over a certain
route from the place where the crime
was committed to the place where the
body was found. Then the prosecution
has introduced evidence seeking to
show some feeling against Bailey on
the part of Best. The talk of various
neighbors with Best has been upt in
the case.
The most important evidence in the
eyes of the government. and the most
dramatic, was that of the brother-in-
law of Best, William H. Stiles. who.
on Friday, testified that Best gave him
q plan of the Bailey barn and asked
him to so to spot indicated on the
plan and get a watch and put it out of
the way. Yesterday, officers testified
to the finding of the watch and $74 in
money in the very spot indicated by
Stiles as that marked on the plan by
Best. This watch was identified by
witnesses as Bailey's watch. The de-
fence claims ability to meet and ex-
plain all this evidence about the watch
and money in due time.
Best during yesterday. as during the
week, appeared to be cool and I'M
moved by anything which has trans
pired. He showed a little evidence of
nervousness Friday night and yester-
day morning he looked less cheerful
than on other days. but the wear and
strain of a weeks trial naturally has
had its effects on him, as it certainly
has on everyone else connected with
the case. from the judges down to the
reporters.
Best seemed thoughtful. yesterday, but
he sat leaning back in his chair much of
the time He listened to the testimony
with eagerness and frequently sent for
his counsel and consulted one or the
other of them.
Every day adds to the local interest in
the trial Since Monday many more per-
sons have sought admission to the court
house than could he accommodated: Nont,
are allowed in the spectators seats be
yond the seating capacity, which is about
$50. At times yesterday and Friday sew
eral hundred persons sought admission in
vain.
1t took detail of local police vester-
day. to assist the shcriffs in keeping a
path open and preventing the crowd from
bursting in Owe? the court officers 1t was
not so much desire disposition to 30
through the doors as the pressing of the
crowd from behind. Interest III the trial
was keen. Everybody wanted to know
what further evidence was To come
At the opening OF court Judge Snarmai
told the jurors that, after conSdera ton
the court had decided to exclude the evil
dence given the other day by DIR. Pink
ham about the two shots in his opinion
having been fired together. They had de
cidcd mat it was not a matter of opinion
and therefore the jury would di. regard
the testimony.
The cross-eXamination Of Stiles by
Lawyer Dick brought out the fact that
Stiles was the man who engaged SiSk as
counsel for Best. and that he had been
repeatedly consulting with counsel cvcl
since DtSt gave MN the pIdilS. pIt StlIc
had not told counsel of it. Mr.. SiSk. n
examining the witness, dealt with him
sharply. Considerable was said about til
alleged feeling between Best and Stiles
the latter denying any i'll feeling bCtWccl
himself and the prisoner.
Another scene of interest was whcl
Chief of Police Thompson of Saugus anc
State officer Neal told of their rapid rid,
to Brcakheart Hill farm, yesterday. ano
their search for and finding of the Watcf
and money of Bailey after Stiles had tOlt
where BeSts plan showed them to be.