Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-14

The week before the uncomplctcd
trial of Alexander Tcrrio began, At
torney d. j. McGillicuddy, accompanied
by y. n. Garcclon, NJ. D.. of Lewiston,
went to Canada to evhume the body of
Matthias Pare and obtain the evidence
that Mr.. Tcrrio's counsel were sure
would acquit their client.
They left Lewiston on the $50 r. NJ.
train and arrived at Sherbrook at 800
the following morning. At 100 A. NJ.
they took Il train for st. Francis, Cam
ada, where they arrived about noon.
From here they drove by carriage Il
distance of II miles to st. George. Not
waiting to rest, they drove that same
night to st. Benoit, where the body of
Matthias Pare was buried.
Previous to leaving Lewiston they
had been recommended to the Canadian
officials. Arrangements had been made
with the attorney general of Canada to
eXhume the body of Matthias Pare.
Nothing was left for them on arriving
at st. Benoit. except to proceed with
their grave digging.
The cemetery at St. Benoit is located
in Il lonesome place. The night was
N.ttI HC thoughts OL tHc 81 cWSoiIIc
work they were about to perform great
ly unnerved them. To use Attorney
McGillicuddy's own words: Neither
the doctor nor myself were expert
enccd grave diggers. The very
thoughts of digging up Il coffin, OPEN
ing it and removing the bones nearly
took away our courage. II 4 mans
liberty hadn't depended OH our work.
think we should have backed out of
the job when it came to lifting the lid
of the coffin"
In order that there might be no mis-
take by opening the wrong coffin, An
thony Poulin, who buried Matthias
Pare, was employed to re-dig the
grave. After the earth had been re-
moved Pouiin identified the coffin.
A solemn silence prevailed when DIR.
Garcelon slid into the grave and his
feet stepped lightly upon the wooden
box. Attorney McGillicuddy and the
until the doctor began to remove the
coffin-lid, when they turned away.
The only light the mon had WAS fur
nished by a lantern, which WAS held in
the grave on the end of a cane by At
torney McGillicuddy. The cane had
been borrowed from an aged resident
of st. Benot.
When the coffin lid was raised. Il
sickening odor arose. 1t was SO strong
where Attorney McGillicuddy and the
grave digger were standing. as to near
ly take away their hreaths. and it was
much worse where the doctor was.
The cover off, DR.. Garcelon proceed
cd to remove the burial clothing from
the half decayed body. This done, he
began at the first rib and counted six
the sixth rib being the one in tho back
! pierced by the bullet that killed Pare.
| The rib was removed, and the men re-
| tired from the grave.
Pals of water were procured. The
rib was washed clean and wiped dry.
An examination revealed Il small hole
| near one end. This was the hole that
had been made by the murderous bull
let two years previously.
Taking 1920 bullet from his pock-
ct. DIR. Garcclon tried to put it through
the hole. 1t would not go, the hole was
a great deal too small.
If a 5000 bullet made the hole. one
certainly ought to pass through it
again, argued the doctor. Alexander
Terrio used a 1890 bullet. 1t conse-
quently could not have been bullet
from his rifle that killed Pare.
A 22-bullet was placed into the hole.
1t fitted. showing that a 22-bullet might
have killed Pare.
This was the last bit OF evidence
Attorney McGillicudy needed. His
belief in the innocence of Alexander
Terrio was confirmed. If all other evil
dence should prove valueless, this
could not fail to prove Terrio not
guilty.
The object of the Canadian grave
digging trip accomplished, the coffin
was replaced as it was found. the
grave refilled. and the party returned
to st. George.
DR.. L. N. Marquis of st. George,
Canadian inspector, was an eye wit
fC0ntfnuod ~, mare ~