Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-06-07
May Solve Mystery Of
Missing Bradley Child.
While in Temper, Said That
Little One Was Murdered.
Struck With CIuh--Body Carried AWay--His
Later Story Somewhat Confused.


police stated, Tuesday. that Frank To-
binc, lessee of farm in Grafton on
which Edncst Braley is employed. has
told them that Braley'S twO-year-old
child, Elwyn. was killed at the Braley
home. last April. The baby disappear
cd. April q, but a search lasting a
week or more by officers and the vii
layers failed to disclose any definite
trace of the child.
Tobine was arrested. Monday night,
on warrant issued by Bralcy. who
him. Sunday last.
TObino'S statement according to the
police, was made to Officer Otis Abbott
of Canaan. Abbott and Deputy Sheriff
Claude Murray went to Grafton, yes
terday. and arrested Tobinc, last even
ing. Bradley claims that in "a dispute.
Sunday, Tobine struck him and also
used these words:
I'll put you where the baby is
1t is also alleged that TObine struck
I'ralcy's grandmother, who is nearly 30
years old. The old lady, it is claimed.
intcrfeIed in the dispute between the
men. Tobine spent the night in Jail
and was taken to court, this forenoon,
to answer the charge of assault. before
Justice of the Peace Everett Smith.
The hearing was held at Grafton and
large delegation Of Canaan officers
went over. The object of most of them
WIS not to interest themselves espcc-
tally in the assault case. but to fur
thcr investigate the disappearance Of
the Bralcy child. in view Of the state
ments alleged to have been made by
Tobnc.
According to the police, Tobin WAS
rigidly examined 1T tho Jail, during the
night. To officer Abbott he is said to
have admitted that he Knew what be-
came Of the baby The child had been
hit on the head with a club, he said.
and in falling it struck it's head against
a sled beam on the premises and died
almost instantly. The body, TObinc' S
story continues, was placed in a box
under the seat of I spring board wagon
and in the evening was taken away
and disposed Of Tobnc said he had
nothing to do with the death of the
child. IN his statements, however, ne
implicated persons residing on the
farm and named the one who is al
legged to have struck the child. In view
of Tobincs statement the authorities,
today. renewed their investigation of
the Bralcy case and the assault charge.
which created Il decided stir, ycster-
day. became of secondary importance.
robinc was taken to Grafton, this
forenoon, for trial on the assault case
charge.
The officers went to the Braley farm,
today, and made arrangements with
Mrs. Bralcy, mother of the missing
child 20 go to the court room as a
possblc witness in the assault case. 1t
was expected that she would be sub
iectcd to a protracted examination re-
Earding the disappearance OF the baby,
News Of Tobine'S statement spread
throughout Canaan. Grafton and Dan
bury during the day and when the
court proceedings were begun. large
thronC of spectators was present.
The BraIcy child was searched for
for several days by hundreds of people
and the state and county authorities
devoted d week or more to investiga-
| ton Of the strange Case. There were
two theories which We're considered as
If more Importance than others. One
of these was that the child had been
kidnapped and the second was that IL
| had been killed ana it's tody hidden.
When Tobne appeared in court he
WAS questioned regarding a statement
he is said to have made to officer Ab
holt Tobine says he did not tell tn"
| officer that the Bradley child had been
Killed hut a few minutes later he said
bo might have made the statement.
He added that if he toid Abbott story
Of the childs disappearance he must
have dreamed II. y
Mr.. and Mrs. Braley testified that at
tbc time Of the quarrel On Sunday. To-
binc said to the former: Il Will put
vo, where the baby is" The court or
Iercl Tobine to furnish bonds in 5000
m keen the peace for one year. On the
cnarre of assaulting BralCy he was
tncd 81 and costs and similar penalty
r,e imposed on him for striking Mrs.
I,,,za Rr:.Iey. the grandmother.
~ to noon there had been no fur
thor developments in the Investigations
If Tobinc's alleged statement to Officer
,h,ott and i'm view OF his remarks
T., oourt II is possible the case may be
dropped.
Az Tobine. was unable to give bonds
A. ,uthoritfes decided to take him to
.ho iail at Woodsville. this afternoon.