Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-25
SUPERIOR COURT.
For Breaking, Entering and
Larceny at Belgrade.
Fred ". Holmes Given Two
Years Hard Labor, Thomaston.
Sentence Suspended In Case Of
Arthur 6. Shattuck, Bridgewater.

Court convened at ~ A. Nj. Friday,
The larceny casc of the State Us. Fred
II. Holmes being continued.
One OF the first witnesses examined
I 1T The morning session was Mir. MoSher
Of Belgrade. the owner of the store
house and flour that was alleged was
stolen BY Holmes. III the time Of the
breaking and entering
10 YOU cali to mind MI Holmes
Gaming into your store and giving you
SIT, and your giving him back $l5..'
asked Mr. Nhitehousc.
''.<u, sir
Mr.. Whitchouse then asked the wit
ness # II used morphine and witness
replied mat lie had taken none for Is
wears
Al this point in the testimony Mr.
/ AtoSher produced his set of books and
Nr. Whitehpuse asked the court for
more time Oh the case, that he might
nave time 10 examine the books. EX-
tension of time was not grant ed, how
ever.
The state rested its case 1T this
jRncture and Mr.. Whitehouse address,
"a the jury.
Nj. Whitchouse contended that
Holmes lad no key and no way to get
into the storehouse, except by going
IL. :" v TIL MosEer. He said there was
~ c.j,s nee that the flour had been
rolled along the railroad track, as no
iiutir lad sitted out of the barrels.
County Attorney Became intcrposed
during tho presentation of these facts
and asked Mr.. Whitehouse if ne was
opening or arguing the case. After
this point had been adjusted Mr.
Whitchouse proceeded.
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred w. Holmes were
then sworn.
Fred Wallace Holmes was put on
the stand. Testified he was a day
laborer and had been in Belgrade near
ly a year with the exception of short
time III tho Canal Zone, Panama. Came
back to Belgrade last June.
What did you pay for that barrel
Of -four"
Il think 1915"
who brought it up for you?"
Il brought it up
What dill you use Prescotts stable
for?'
Witness than told about working for
a mar by the name of Adams an,
using this stable to keep Adams horse
in
What 90 you know about those three
barrels of tlour?'
Il know nothing of those three barrels
of flour"
Have you any habit?''
Objected TO by State. Not admitted.
How is your memory"
MY memory is usually good unless
7 - nf,
How much morphine were you TAX
ing at that time?"
From IS to 80 grains a DAY.
ASKED how much a normal dose
consisted Of witness stated that a half
grain Of morphine often proved fatal"
What buildings lie between the
bridge and the StorehouSe?"
Witness described the building ami
told their relative positions to the
Storehouse"
Witness described the manner in
which the StOrchouSe was fastened and
stated positively that he did not take
any -four from the building in question
Tried to sell the barrel of flour in his
house between Oct. % and y to various
persons about the village Of Belgrade
Explained the sale of the flour by say
ing that he was in poor health and
needed the money His wife, he stated,
wrote him and asked him to sell tho
uour. Explained the matter Of th,.
error in making change by saying that
he had given AIR. Mosher s. bill and
that Mr.. Mosher gave him back two
s. bills. Holmes called Mr.. Mosher's
attention to the mistake and it was
rcCtified.
Said. on cross-examination, that he
had bought two barrels Of flour at
CoombS mill.
Was asked if he had any skeleton
keys ard he said that he did not When
the officers searched he said it was i'm
possible that the officers found any
he did not have any.
Amy l.. Holmes was put on the stand
and testified She was the wife Of tbs
Respondent Came to Belgrade in 1904,
she stated and then described the 10
cation Of the buildings mentioned in
the case
Described the trip to Panama. told
how Holmes was taken sick and was
sent home at the expense Of the gov
eminent.
Says She knows nothing about the |
flour. Told about Holmes buying q
barrel Of flour at Coombs mill The |
-four was placed in the pantry on the |
return from Augusta and was not open |
ed Witness stated that Holmes re-
questcd her to send him money.
Mr.. Mosher was recalled and stated |
that he had recovered all OF the last |
lot of -four
James Tebhetts. Belgrade, former |
deputy sheriff, was called by the Stat,
in rebuttal anG stated that no did not |
find any keys on the day he frs. visited
Holmes house
Later found one KEY on a bench
made out of 4 piece of a knife blade
Continued on Page Elevcn.)