Newport weekly independent., 1903-07-03
"Lieut-Col." F. Seymour Barring ton Facing the Worst Di-
 lemma of His Life.
CHARGED WITH KILLING JOHN P. M'CANN.
GircunstantiaI Evidence of the Most damaging Character Would Seem ta Indicate that the English Ad- venturer Killed His Benefactor and Friend Deliberately.


 one star engagement here that cul- minated in matrimonial episode, followed by sojourn in the work house, from which he was released by Mayor Wells, at the intercession of numerous prominent citizens, is now confronted with the most serious di- lemma of his life, one in which the outcome may be the forfeiture of his life on the gallows.
 Harrington stands charged with the brutal murder of his friend and benefactor, John P. McCann, and while there is no direct evidence that Harrington committed the deed, the circumstantial evidence is so damag ing that the prisoner himself con- fesses hopelessness, and only pleads that he be mot lynched, but that his life be taken by due process of law, Present Status of the Case.
 Now that the nude body discov- cred in the quarry pond near Bonfils station has been positively identified as that of McCann, and the fact that he was murdered established, the evi- dence is convincing that Harrington not only murdered his friend and benefactor, but after the deed re- turned to the home given in charity to woo the widow, that he might get her money as profits of the crime.
 Chief Desmond is of the opinion that Mrs. McCannn was not implicat- ed in the crimeSoMrs. McCann has been identified by post office inspec- lors as the proprietress of a matri- monial bureau, who had been under ssurveillance.
 The Evidence at Hand.
 Up to this time the evidence con- meeting Harrington with the murder, which will be presented to the grand Jury at the trial is:
 Harrington and McCann went to Bonfils station the night of June IS, and from the evidence given by Con- ductor Ike Bennett and Motoyman John Oellien, on whose car they made the trip, there was no evidence of trouble at Suburban garden.
 Harrington walked back from Bon- fils station, wearing McCann's hat, and admitting that stains on his cloth ingn and shoes were from blood
 McCann's cane and other property were found concealed in the trunk that Harrington was anxious to get out of town
 Burlington had McCann's watch and diamond when arrested.
 Harrington admits, in face of for mer denials, that he went to Bonfils station
 s,I EN.
 McCann's fatal wounds were from S8-caliber bullets. Harrington had a revolver of that caliber in his trunk Cartridges found near the quarry were the same caliber.
 Harrington tried to allay the sus- picions of Mrs. McCann by sending her notes written by himself purport- ing to come from McCann and persons with him.
 Harrington enlisted the services of his friend, Asa Mitchell, to write notes for him, explaining the where abouts of McCann, and also telephone Harrington and Mrs. McCann to the same effect.
 Barrington's complete failure to tell inc truth to the police when arrested, Thursday, on suspicion of knowing where McCann was
 The report of two shots soon after Harrington and McCann had left the car at Bonfls station, which Barring ton, admitting that he was there, had failed to explain. McCann was shot twice.
 Denial of Harrington that the body. l1ater positively identified by Mrs. McCann, her sister, Mrs. Evans, and her friend, Brown, was that of his friend, benefactor and supposed vic tim, McCann.
 The complete failure of Harrington 10 reveal the identity of persons al- legged to have been engaged in fra cas at Suburban garden, and later, to have resumed at Bonfils station. Lack of evidence that any wagon was dhere.
 Evidence of Plot.
 Barrington's admission that he had visited Bonfils station previous to the trip with McCann on the night of the murder, only after being identified by Mrs. Lannon and boy who saw him ahere.
 Barrington's invitation to Mir and Mrs. McCann to visit Bonfls station, explaining it by fictitious story of securing loan on English army pa pers.
 Harrington's knowledge that Me Cam usually carried large sums of money, and that both he and Mrs McCann had money deposited that was at her command. Immediately after McCann's death Harrington arranged for the messages explaining his absence and asking that money be sent him. Barringtons &urging that money be sent. Finally bss offer to send it, in which he would 6rofit.
 Barrington's efforts to ingratiate Himself into McCann's good favor just