Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-13
State of Maine VS.. Herman |
Bickford Of Oakland.
Charged With Assault With Danger.
GUS Weapon With Intent to Kill.
Closing 'rsu"e":e Made. Friday, by counse,
Tor State and Respondent,

kennebec superior court Friday.t.o,rt
will convene at o'clock this morp;n,
when Judge Hall will deliver his CHARGE
and the case will be given to the ;,,ry
At the opening of the court in the
morning, Frank j. Ham OF Belgrade ::
deputy sheriff, testified that he had
taken the shovel to Il grocery store and
il weighed four and three-uuartcrs
pounds.
Attorney Field opened the case for
the defence.
Herman l.. Bickford, tie defendant.
took the stand. He testified that on
Dec. %. he was at the depot in Oak
land. Met Cochranc Cochrunc wanted
to fight. Told cochranc that he was
off his nut" C'ochrane followed him.
Made pass at witness. Asked Coch-
rane what was the matter with him.
He said nothing and then witness ana
Cochrane shook hands and parted. Was
assaulted by Llewellyn Knox. Had
shovel in hand and with it ATTEMPTED
to ward off Knoxs blows. Cochranc
was present. Don't know how Coch-
rane fell down. Did not strike Coch-
rane. Was arrested by Deputy Sheriff
Hersom. Went along peaceably. Mr.
Hersom said he would see to Knox
later. Was taken to the lookup Had
been drinking on that day. Had not
been drinking with Cochranc. Been in
Jail since last December Was formerly
in employ of the Maine Central Rail-
road Company.
On cross examination the respondent
testified that he weighed $50 pounds.
Had known Cochrane for many years
Left employ of Maine Central in
October. Left because the work was
to hard. Met Cochrane about o clock
on the afternoon of Dec -. Cochrane
was intoxicated and staggered as Il
drunken man does Cochrane APP
preached and wanted to know if Wit
ness wanted any part of him tCoch-
rance. There was no further talk at
that time. But few minutes after
wards witness and Ccchrane shook
hands and separated. Parted as the
best of friends. Went to freight depot
and found shovel in corner next to
the office. Walked up the platform
and met Llewellyn Knox. who at
tempted to make pass at him. Don't
know where Cochrane was when wit
ness was arrested. Didn't lean against
any railroad truck. Don't remember
of seeing Cochranc bleeding on the
snow. Did not strike Cochrane over
the head with Il shovel, at least do no,
remember of doing it. Was in full
possession Of faculties and remember
every little detail connected with the
case.
On redirect examination respondent
testified that he saw Cochrane "A few
miuutes before Knox assaulted him.
Did not see any more of Cochrane after
being knocked down by Knox.
DR.. Edward W. Boyer of Waterville.
testified that he attended Cochrane at
Oakland. last December. Made exam
ination of Cochrane's ear. Found con-
fusion in canal that runs from the
outside world to the drum of the organ.
Cochrane heard the ticking Of watch
nearly two feet away. Wound not
necessarily made by sharp instru
ment. Examined head but found no
diScolora ton.
On crOss-eXamination witness test
fled that he only made one examina-
ton OF the ear. Was signs of a weak
ened hearing in the left ear.
Hiram A. York testified that he was
at a dance the night before the alleged
assault Saw Cochrane fall backward
down stairs. distance of l. to Is feet
Cochrane had been drinking.
Joseph f. Ellis testified that he saw
Knox holding Bickford down. a man
named Strickland shouted, usingsa bad
name. Kill him.
On discrimination witness testi-
fled that he was an uncle to Bickford.
Don't remember of saying anything to
Deputy Sheriff Hersom when he ar
rested the respondent. Had no bad
feelings against Strickland. Had been
drinking that day. Bought pint of
whiskey at the place kept by George
Huff at Oakland.
David r. Ellis testified that he had
resided in Oakland Is years. Was /.
constable. Saw Cochrane on the 18th
day of December, about o'clock at
his house Cochrane appeared as if he
had been drinking heavily. Cochrane
mentioned something about going up
street" Deputy Sheriff Hersom
threatened to arrest Cochrane if he
cid go ont. This was after the alleged
assault.
BENJAMIN F. White testified that he
carried mail, hauled baggage and eX-
press for the Maine Central at Oak
land. Had frequently hired Bickford
10 shovel snow. Bickford is his step
son.
Questioned by the court. witness tes-
tilted that on December % he had re-
nuested BickfOrd to shovel snow.
At the afternoon session Llewc.lyn
Knox testified that on the afternoon of
| Dec - he was at the Oakland depot.
Rickford and Cochranc were there.
They went to the railroad crossing.
talked for about five minutes. shook
hands and parted. Later saw BickfOrd
coming back with shovel over his
! shoulder. Pass made at witness by
Bickford. Cochrane was placed in Wit :
i, ness sleigh and taken home.
on cross-examinatiOn witness .esti-
! fed that Bickford struck him first. Did
not coo the blow but saw Cochrane as
! he was falling.
| n, redirect witness stated that he
aid not see Bickford hit Cochlane
! therefore was not positive that Bick-
| ford did the striking.
: Tho defence rested here.
Samuel T. Hersom. deputy sheriff
called by the government in rehu;tal
,.,iad statement made by witness
~ i'll n