Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-06
HEARD NOTHING.
Mrs. Hennigan, Chief Witness
Against Blondin.
Was Near Door When BIondin Left
Green Street House
But She Heard No Disturbance Of
Any Kind.

murder trial. today, Mrs. Henning.
whom the government believes was one
of the last persons to have seen Mrs.
Blondin alive, was the principal wit
ness. She was called to the stand dur
ing the forenoon and her examination
was completed just before the adjourn
ment. 1t had been understood that the
government considered Mrs. Hennigan
one of the most important witnesses
in the case.
lie was developed during the cross
examination, however, that after Mrs.
Hennigan had seen BlOndin and his
wife enter their room, Saturday after
noon, April 81, 1901, she remained
within a few feet of the door until
BlOndin came out and left the house.
During that time she heard no sound
of any kind to indicate that a struggle
was taking place.
Dentist Mayer of Lowell, who was
on the stand when court adjourned,
yesterday, completed the identifica-
ton of lower set of artificial teeth
as the set he mad made for Miss Mar
garet f. Riley (Mrs. BlOndin.)
Mr. Mayors, the Lowell dentist. who
was on the witness stand when the
court adjourned. Thursday night, was
delayed in reaching Boston, and Mrs.
Blondin's sister, Mrs. Jane White. of
Providence, was called to identify the
upper set of artificial teeth which the
government claims, was owned by Mrs.
BlOndin. Mrs. White recognized the
teeth because the plate had been re-
paired.
Mrs. White admitted that she had
not seen the teeth for II years, when
they We're shown to her by Officer Dnu-
ham, after her sisters death, but she
insisted that she was absolutely GER
tain about the Identification.
Mrs. White denied that she commu-
nicated with her sister, Emma, when
she was ill about two years ago, or
that Emma visited her at that time.
When the next witness, Mrs. Mary
Casey, sister of Mrs. Blondin, was call
ed. Judge Braley pointed out the fact
that Mrs. Casey had been present in
the court room during the examination
of Mrs. White and suggested that it
might not be proper to permit Mrs. Ca
sey to testify. Mr.. Morrison, however,
announced that he would not object to
her appearance upon the stand but he
would take the opportunity to suggest
that particular efforts should be put
forth to prevent a recurrence of this
situation. Also he would suggest that
ina smuch as many of the state officers
would appear as witnesses for the gov
eminent it would be only fair if they
were excluded from the court room.
Judge Braley explained that the Off
MT in, no
pose of assisting the government in the
presentation of the cause. When any
one of the officers was called upon to
testify the other officers would not be
present.
Mrs. Casey was then sworn and pre-
ceeded to identity piece by piece the
articles of clothing identified, Thurs
day. by Mrs. Casey's daughter as the
property of Mrs. Blondin.
Under cross-examinatiOn Mrs. Casey
admitted that her Identification was
based upon the general appearance of
the articles and not because of any
particular marks upon them.
Another sister of the murdered wo-
man. Mrs. Susan Casey of Lawrence,
positively identified an undershirt as
one she made and presented to her sis
ter about two years ago.
DR.. Mayew, the dentist, then was re-
called and identified the lower set of
teeth as made by him for Miss E.
Reilly, 81 Middlesex street. He was
positive that the teeth were made by
him because he made teeth only in
December that year and made only
one lower set for woman. That wo-
man was Miss f. Reilly. He recognize
ed his own handwork in the plate to
which the teeth are attached. All eff
forts on the part of Mr.. Morrison to
shake his witness were unsuccessful.
Nelson b. Shabott, who had charge
of the engine room at the establish
ment of Fabes, Hayward & Co.. said
that Blondin was employed by him as
fireman from about Thanksgiving.
1900. until SIX months later. He had
observed BlOndin at his work and no.
ticed that he was man of unusual
physical development. His muscles
stood out prominently as is usual in
the case of a man who had performed
much laborious work. The heavy tools
used in firing were handled with ease.
One of these tools, an iron bar Is feet
in length and weighing about 80
pounds, was handled without apparent
effort.
Mr. Morrison objected to the witness
being interrogated as to the exact time
BlonGin was employed by Forbes
Hayward Il Co, or any particu-
lar days when he was allowed to leave
the establishment before the usual hour
at night He stated that records were
obtained and insisted that such infor-
nation be gained from these records.
The only time ne was able to recall
when Blondin asked permission to
leave his work before the usual hour
was Saturday, April q. 1901. Blondin
told him that day that his wife was
going to Providence to see sister or
to nurse a sister, and he wished to ac-
company her to the South station, as
she was not familiar with Boston
streets. Permission was given and
Blondin went out about o'clock. 1t
was customary for the fireman to visit
the fire room every Sunday to prepare
the fires for Monday. That work was
performed the Sunday following April
q and so far as he knows it was done
by Blondin. For several days follow