Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-03-27
BEST TAKES STAND.
Continued from page ~

SAID Mr.. Clark, but when compared
with the man who would get secret
out OF man, then voluntarily tell Ii
TO the other side and go on the stand
ana on the pretenSc of having it
forced out of him, tell the secret, Best
is Il saint
Mr.. Clark then continued. admitting
that Best was a man who drank and
that he had once been convicted of
II assault upon man. Best had other
faults. After Bailey had disappeared
ne found sum of money and a watch
Baily had been owing him money and
BEST therefore took this watch and
the money. When he learned that it
would be bad for him to have the
money found in his possession he hid
the watch and money, where it was
found by the officers. He did wrong to
take it and he made a mistake in hid
ing it. He will take the stand and
tell the whole truth.
Richard Fl. Reneau. Mary A. Reneau
and Charles Reneau. who live in a
house on the Ncwburyport pike. We're
the first witnesses called for the de-
Tense. They testified that on the night
of Oct. they did not hear any unus-
ual sound, as of rifle shot or rafting
teams. They each acknowledged that
it was not unusual to hear rifle shots
in that vicinity.
hen court came in. this afternoon
the defence proceeded with it's intro
ductlon of negative testimony in regard
to the rafting" wagon and the horse
with the peculiar sounding hoof beats
being seen on the way to the floating
bridge.
Attorney General knowlton offered
to admit that no other persons than
those who had testified for the gov
eminent had heard this rafting wag-
on but the defence declined the offer
At this point Counsel Clark called
John {. Best" and the prisoner
stepped out of the pen and was sworn.
He then proceeded under the direction
OF Mr.. Clark, to tell the story of his
life and his connection with the Bailey
farm He said he was born in Sack
vile. n. r.. April s. 1865: attended
school regularly until he was l. years
of age. and after that until - years old
went to school winters and worked on
a farm summers. He worked for AL
fred Aver. on a farm. for 10 years
vile. His only brother lives at New
castle. y. r.
After farming for a year Best work
ed in a shop and later in d grocery
store in SaCkVille. He came to Massa-
cllusetts in 1891. to take back his sis
ter. Annie Stiles. who was here on n
visit with her baby. Came to Lynn
and worked for J. G.. Renton for seven
or eight years: was once arrested for
assault and given four months in the
house of correction.
First saw George +. Bailey about
July 20, 1899, being at that time on a
loaf owing to a strike in the shoe fac
tory. Went to the Breakheart Hill
farm on hearing that Bailey wanted
a farm hand. Worked for Bailey a
month and was paid off, Bailey asking
him to stay longer.
Went to work for Eenton again but
in the spring of 1900 Bailey came after
him and wanted him to go in partner
ship in what is known as the Ed
munds farm. Early in the month Of
May, Best said he went out and agreed
to go to work on the farm. Bailey to
give him his board. Il room to sleep
in and half of whatever was raised. in
exchange for his work of caring for
the stock and half the work of cult
walton. The summer was q poor one
for farming and witness said he told
Bailey that it was not worth while for
two to spend their time there. Ba iley
encouraged him to stay and promised
to give him half the crop of cabbages
and apples.
Best said he continued to stay here
under that arrangement. He never had
d Word with Bailey but once, and that
was in July. over wedding the peas.
Bailey always seemed cruel to the
horses and cows, and witness spoke to
Rim about it occasionally.
He Knew Susie Young was living on
the farm as though she We're married
to Bailey He had heard from Winfield
Rowe that Bailey had a wife and chill
dren in Maine. as Rowe had said that
the Maine officers were after Bailey
and that there was a $500 reward for
his arrest.
Best said that on Monday oct s. he did
his usual work in addition to getting the
dinner and supper. as Miss Young hai
gone away. He had been to a nciShbor 8.
Mr.. Griffin, to find out how much pota-
toes were worth and had number o:
on returning to the farm he saw Bailey
and exchanged greetings. Best said H.
started the fire. let the cows into the barn
and got supper ready. BY that time Bal
lev had pitched off load Of hay. Bal
ley asked witness if he would like 2
dring and between them they had a small
portion of homemade cherry rum. After
supper Best said he went out to milk the
cows and put the milk to cool. Bailey. III
the meantime, doing something around
the house.
on returning to the house. Best said hH
washed the dishes while Bailey fixed Il
bolt on the wagon. in when work Bcor
later hclncd him. Soon after that he
harncssed up. got two of three cans ol
milk from the well. put them in the
wagon and drove away. He stopped at
the gate and came back for match to
Best said this was the last time he ever
saw him He denied ever saying to any
one that he saw Bailey on his return
from Deary's. Best said he did not know
If Railcv returned He finished the dish
os fed the cattle. had drink of rum
and went upstairs to bed, waking up be-
twocn & and I o'clock next morning.
He did his usual work and after milk
ing he returned to the house expecting
10 find breakfast ready. The house was
closed and he could not see Bailey any
where. He got in through the Kitchen
and sitting room and looked into the peo-
room but Bailey was not there.
Best said he got his own breakfast ana
ala the morning chores as usual. Aftcr.
ynords he raked over the fire in a lot OF
rubbish that had been cleaned up liotl,
Il rop ~