Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-06-03
FOR MURDER.
Charles E. Brigham Arrested
by a Lewiston Detective.
On Charge Of Numbering Mrs. C. P.
Smith, Londonderry, N. H.
Admits Presence There but Asserts Ills
Innocence.

Lewiston. Me-, June 2-This after
noon, at 4.3o, Charles f. Brigham was
arrested in this city by Detective Beau
lieu on the charge of numbering Mrs
Celia p. (Marshall) Smith of London
derry, Rockingham county. New Hamp-
shire on the evening of Monday, Feb.
80. brigham was found at Hannaforel
q Kimbalfs store on Main street, whore
he had been employed about 10 days.
lie was easily identified by the Off
GERS here fro mthe description of him
sent out by the New HAMPSHIRE Off
GERS at the time of the murder. When
first arrested he gave the name of
Charles Edwards and denied that he
had ever lived in Londonderry. n. III.
He claimed that his home was in Yer
mont.
Brigham was later taken into the
marshals private office and after be-
ing questioned for two or three hours
admitted that his name was Brigham
and that he was i'm Londonderry the
week of the murder. but firmly asserts
his innocence of the crime for which
he is now held.
Mrs. Smith, who was murdered, lived
with her brother. John Marshall. The
morning of March |, Mrs. Smith was
found dead in her room, her head terri
lily crushed and bruised. The room hal
been ransacked during the night. Rob-
berry was the motive for the crime.
Brigham says he forged a note, uSin;,
his fathers name, about a year ago,
but that nothing was ever done about
it. Sometime the first of February, he
forged an order, using the name of
Charles Steel, for whom he worked.
This order was for 81 and he declares
was done ut the instigatim of some fell
lows of his acquaintance who induce l
him to drink.
lie says he first heaal of the murder
while on the East Boston ferry boat.
March 3. He read the account of the
murder in newspaper. lie acknowl-
edges that he knew III was changed
with the murder and Says the reason
he did not give himself up and prove
himself innocent was because he was
afraid of being arrested for forging the
note and the order.
brigham says he remained in Boston
n few days and then went from there
to Portland by boat. In Portland he
boarded for while until his money
was gone and then rOomed with n sea-
1aring man and was helped by the Sal
walton Army. In Boston he sold gold
1llied case Waltham watch for $14. This
watch he says cost him $2S.
From Portland he came to Lewiston
and obtained employment through an
agency with Il mlkman in Auburn.
He then went to work for Learned, the
gardener. Finally about two weeks ago
he went to work for the Hannaford-
kimball Fruit Co.. driving team ami
working about the store. Since bel ~
here he has given his name as Charles
Edwards. that being his middle name.
brigham is cool and answers all uues-
uons quite promptly. except those which
bear upon his whereabouts about the time
OF the murder He declares that on the
night of February % and March he was
at the Hotel Hampton in Boston, and if
tn" clerk of the hotel can remember him
he can prove an alihi.
IN" prisoner says he was q visitor at
the house Of Mrs. Smith. the murdered
woman, and had known her for some
three years. At one time she was the
house keeper for Mr. Steel, for whom ne
worked in Londonderry.
lie says his father. who was formerly
the stree: commissioner of Nashua N
H., now lives in Hudson. n. H., but that
he has not been at home to remain over
night since he forged the name of his
father on n note about n year ago. His
father according to his story. is n man
worth considerable property.
City Marshal Wing notified John w.
Kelly. solicitor of Rockingham county.
and Sheriff Marcus Coils of Portsmouth.
of the arrest of brigham and arrange
mcnts were made to have an officer sent
here to take Brigham back to New
Hampshire. He will go without reo,,isi-
ton papers.
While he has been in Lewiston. brigham
has conducted himself in a quiet manner
He has made few acquaintances outside
of those with whom he came in contact
while about his work.
His room was thoroughly searched. but
what little property he Possesses throws
no light upon Brigham or the murder with
which he is charged.
The Lewiston police. on being inter-
viewed, said they know nothing about
an alleged confession by Brigham, re-
garding the murder of Mrs. Smith.