Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-03-27

COuuty hlUOEuoy Ddiuco oe ohoo oPoA
ed the case for the state, large chart
containing plans of the town of Porter,
the David Varney place, and the David
Varney barn, having been put up, from
which he explained the conditions to the
jury.
After explaining the chart, County
Attorney Barnes stated that David Var
ney, IS years of age, lived on his farm in
the town of Porter, with his sister, Mrs.
Sarah Day, as housekeeper. Wesley
Chick is the grandson of Mrs. Day. The
relationship of the other parties con-
cerned with the case was also explained.
Mr.. Barnes then stated the circumstan-
ces of the case, and the evidence which
would be produced. On the 9th OF De-
cember, 1905, about 4 o'clock in the
afternoon, Bert Fox, living opposite the
Varney place, heard the scream of a
woman. He ran around to the door of
the barn, and found David Varney lying
on the floor of the te-up, and Mrs. Sally
Day there with him. The report OF a
shot gun was heard by several in the vi
cinity about that time. DR.. Devereaux
was at Mr.. Fox's at the time, and was
Immediately called and found that Mr..
Varney had been shot back of the right
ear with a charge of BIB shot. He lived
about twenty hours without regaining
consciousness. The pocket in his shirt,
in which he carried pocket book with
something like 5000, was torn of and
gone.
That night a little after 5 Wesley
Chick got hair cut and shave in kezar
Falls village. The barber asked why he
had black In his ears and around his
eyes, and Chick said it must have come
from his boots. He then made num-
ber of purchases, mostly of clothing, and
showed a large amount OF money in
several places.
A posse of men looking for Wesley
Chick about II o'clock that night found
him in the Hattie Douglass house behind
a quilt which hung in front of shed
door. On his person was found Sill %
| in money, and on later search at kezar
Falls some over $50 more. He was ar
rested, and while they were preparing to
take him to Kezar Falls, he broke away,
but was recaptured.
Among the money found on Chick
were two fifty-dollar bills, one OF them
yellow-backed gold certificate. David
Varney had received the previous June,
as part of the payment for a yoke Of
oxen, two fifty.dollar bills, which had
been seen by several people. Wesley
Chick had never before been known to
have any considerable money.
On the day following varney's death,
in the woods back of the Varney place
we're found the remains of a fire, l2
gauge shot gun, coat, some cartridges,
David Varney's pocket book empty, a
smoked lard pail, small jar Of some
black greasy substance, and an old hand
kerchief smeared with black. In Chicks
pocket when. arrested was an old silk
handkerchief, wet and smeared with
black.
No one saw Wesley Chick about the
David Varney place, but the state relies
firmly upon the circumstances as detail
ed to convict him of this murder.
Mr.. Barnes opening was a plain state
ment of the circumstances, without
oratory or flourish, and very clearly
stated and we'll arranged.
The states witnesses were sworn, and
the testimony began.
Frank C. Palmer of Kezar Falls,
deputy sheriff, testified to being inform
ed of the assault on David Varney on
Wednesday, Dec. 8, 1905, between 5 and
6 O'Clock. Went to the Varney place,
saw varney, who was in bed, uncon-
scious, and ordered the barn closed.
Chick was delivered to me at about 2
o'clock the next morning. he had on q
new blue serge suit, new hat, and other
new clothing throughout. Searched
him. Found q twenty.dollar bill, ton
dollar bill, and some small change, also q
dark colored silkateen handkerchief,
which was moist, and had dark stains on
| It. Chick had bad cold, and coughed
violently.
Again visited the Varney farm in the
morning. Picked up Mr.. Varney's cap
from the tie-up floor, also some shot and
gun wads. Cfhese were produced and
admitted as evidence.)
Cross-examination was brief, and de-
voted mainly to determining where the
shot and wads were found,