Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-03-08
"COULDN'THELPl IT,"
Mrs. Gero's Expression When
Zero Was Found to Be Dead.
Witnesses Relate Circumstances OF
Alleged Murder at ChesunCook.
Fred A. Holt of Augusta, Gives Some
Important Testimony.

her husband by cutting him with
knife during a quarrel at their home
in ChesuncoOk, last October. The Sc
lection OF q jury and the opening ar
gument for the prosecution was COM
pleted, yesterday afternoon, and to-
days session was devoted TO the eX-
animation Of witnesses.
The jury as selected is made up as
follows: Judson Briggs, BrownVille,
foreman; A. c. DOuGherty, BroWnville;
II. w. Livermore, Scbec; Ormand G.
Ames, Blanchard; Alnon Pease, Wei
lington; S. o. Harrington, Parkman;
ID. A. HathOrn, MedfOrd; Walter $.
Bennett, Abbott; George J. Ordway,
1anRerville: Charles r. Hoxie, Orne-
Vile; Freeland L. Pitman, Williams
burg; II. T. Croker, Monsoon.
The principal Witnesses We're Thomas
Gibbons Of Bangor, and Fred Holt of
Augusta, who We're present when the
alleged crime was committed. The
story told by these men was substan-
tally the same. Neither saw the
fatal blow struck, but both knew MIR.
and Mrs. Gero had a struggle over
the possession of n knife and saw Zero
stagger from the house TO the yard
where heFexpired a few minutes later.
AS the WOUNDED man emerged from
The house he cried. Help me. for Gods
sake help me-" and then fell, uncon-
|scious..
When AIRS. Gero came upon he pros
trate form she said He is making be
ieve." She then explained to Witness
Holt that the trouble arose over the
refusdl of her husband to give her a
THAT Zero was dead. Mrs. Zero said
with an oath that she couldn't help
it.
Fred A. Hot of Augusta, was called.
Holt is young man of nervous make
up, who answered the questions readily
in voice somewhat suggestive of de-
fence and bravado. He said he was go
ing to dig potatoes. Oct. 18th, but old
Tom Zero had been drinking and Tom
said he wouldn't dig a damned potato
that day if he never dug them. Witness
was drinking some, but denies being in
tOxicated. He went out in canoe to
see some game in Il pa ssing canoe. Zero
had been drinking but wasn't drunk
and helped him launch the canoe. Wit
ness was out about half an hour.
Coming back he heard loud, angry
persons. As he passed the window he
saw Zero with both hands clutchnG
his wifes throat. Both were swearing
and cursing. He did not see any knife.
While passing between the window and
the door he heard the sound of a heavy
fail which Jared the cabin. AS he en-
tered hp saw Mrs. Zero lying on her
back on Che floor. her left hand clutch
ing 4 bloody knife. Zero standing over
her, the blood running down his legs.
Zero went out Immediately, saying:
Help me. for Gods sake help me-"
Witness followed Zero out and saw him
90 along ana fail.
Question: Did you have any con-
versation with Mrs. Gero about the af-
fair"
Yes. She said: L asked him for
drink and he struck me- She showed
me her ear and said that was where
he hit her. She said: He done it all
himself and ! don't want to be blamed
for it, Then she went ana looked at
Zero and said: He's just playing but
he's all right, any how"
Witness denied playing cards with
Gibbons, saying that Gibbons was too
drunk
He never saw the knife after it was
in Mrs. Gero's hand in the cabin.
on cross examination Holt said he
had always made his home in Augusta
and had never been in Cape Elizabeth.
He said he changed his name from
Holt to Dunbar so that he could give
n h. 4
other capm.
He was at Gero's to dig potatoes.
Zero having promised him 81 per day
and board.
Col. Peaks made the witness go over
his testimony piece by piece, compar-
ing replies with his testimony at pre-
liminary hearing. Holt chung closely
to his original story. on redirect ex-
animation Holt said he had a wife and
one child in Augusta.
ID. A. McCloud took the stand. He
said he was coming from his camp and
arrived at the Zero homestead a few
minutes after Zero died, for his body
was still warm. He saw Mrs. Zero
out of doors, and before going up to
the cabin took the cartridges out of
his rife. He asked her: Whats the
mater with old Tom p" She replied
" The old - of a - is dead and
there to stay" He suggested taking
the body into the house, but she said:
Hes dead and he might as Well stay
there
Witness said he went into the house
with Mrs. Zero and thought she locked
the door She took down a long bread
knife and said: do You see any blood
on this? DO you see blood on the fioor?''
She was very much excited and began
to be worried. She wanted to see his
rifle but instead of giving it to her.
witness put in cartridges fearing she
might tackle MIN. Witness agreed with
Mrs Zero in all she said and as seen as
he could he got out. He heard CONVEX
sation between Tom Bridges and Mrs.
Zero. Bridges said: MY dear sister,
YOU tell more about this when you get
to Dover" She said: You shut up or
Continued ON page -