Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-06-12
TEMPORARY INSANITY
To Be Basis of Defence for Sidney
Preble, the Boy Murderer.

Lewiston, Me, June 11.-Temporary
insanity is said to be the ground on
which counsel for Sidney X. Preble,
sclf-confcssed boy murderer now in
Auburn Jail awaiting trial. will attempt
to clear him or obtain a leniency from
the court.
According to Bowdoinham friends he
has had no opportunity to be real
boy.
Only Is years old, they say he had
never known what it was to be really
happy, as most boys are, and that
therefore it is not to be wondered at
if his mind did not show q natural.
healthy bent They say that little was
was done to amuse the boy or to en-
courage the finer traits of character
that are waiting to be developed in eV
cry boy.
He used to brood, they say, over the
difference between his life and that Of
some other boys he knew. They assert
that this became habit with him, and
established such mental condition
that his statement that young Heath
threatened if he ever kicked his dog
again he would shoot him. preycd uliOn
his mind to such an extent that he be-
came alarmed and, thinking Heath
meant his words, decided he had better
himself be the first to shoot, is not at
all Incredible
His parents, neither of whom went
near him while he was under arrest in
the BowdOinham Jail, still keep away
from him. They did send him a pair Of
- I, l.,
fore worn, just prior to his preliminary
hearing before Trial Justice Fulton.
but neither went 10 the railroad station
as he LETT town possibly forever, to be
taken to Auburn Jail.
The officers at the county jail say
thcy do not know Of Preble's parents
visiting him in Auburn.
His parents not accompanying him to
the train is said to have hurt the boy
intensely, for he had expected his
mother at the station to give him Il
parting kiss. but she did not 60 near
him. and he left the town of his birth
with heavy heart. 1t is said that a
few words from her would make tilt.
lad feel much more cheerful. He has
since shown a disposition to behave
feel kindly disposed toward him.
He has written his mother several
letters in which he wrote with deep
feeling, but the officers do not know Of
the letters being answered.
Young Prebles home life and sur
soundings are being carefully looked
into by Judge Frank L. Staples of the
oath municipal court and Walter =.
Of his interests and will probably de-
fend him at his trial.
1t was at young Prcble's own re-
quest that Judge Staples took hold Of
the case. AN incident in which his
brother figured aroused the boys in
terest in the judge, and it was to him
that he had meant to make his confess
sion of his crime. 1t was during his
first talk with Judge Staples after
shooting young Heath that the boy first
showed sign of feeling.
Judge Staples at first asked the boy
ne questions regarding his crime, but
questioned him concerning his educa-
tion. The boy told him that he loved to
read books Of adventure, especially
'"Thc Swiss Family Robinson and
Robinson Crusoe:" that he liked arith-
metic and his other studies, and then
the judge is said to have asked him
about his home life. 1t was then that
the climax was reached. This little lad,
WHO had so carefully planned to take
the life OF his lifelong playmate and
then face arrest without the slightest
sign of feeling. broke down completely
and sObbed, giving way to his long
pent-up emotions. 1t was several min