Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-07-15

court room long enough to give Tay-
lor some advice and incidentally to
tell Judge Larrabee and Attorney Cla-
son what she would do to them or to
Taylor should he try the door to her
house again. Her name is Madeline Z.
Merrill. or Mrs. Charles r. Merrill.
She lives in Chelsea and is the moth
er Of Mrs. Taylor
In answer to Attorney Clason's ques-
ton as to what her maiden name was
she replied Howard" but attorney
Clason appeared to know differently
and City Clerk Wadsworth produced
the records which gave her maiden
name as Madeline T. LyancOuth. She
finally admitted that Lyancouth was
her maiden name but declared that it
was none of Attorney Clason's business
and had nothing to do with the case.
Attorney Clason thought it had as it
established record for her truth and
veracity.
Her testimony related to talk" be-
tween herself and Taylor in which she
said that Taylor made the remark that
Mr.. Howard was not her brother and
that he could prove it,
Mr.. Merrill husband of the last wit
ness, was next called. Mr.. Howard,
after asking him his name and place
of residence asked him if he was the
wife of the last witness. This caused
the spectators to break out in a roar
and it was necessary for City Marshal
Andrews to rap for order Mr.. How
ard realized his mistake and smiled.
Mr. Merrill said he heard no threats
made. In closing he said he was not
in fear of Taylor and was able to look
out for himself.
These were all of the witnesses that
MIR. Howard had present and the de-
PENDANT took the stand. He said that
since his wife left him, he had received
two letters from parties supposed to
be neigbbors of the Merrills and which
were signed Mrs. Johnson" The let
tiers set forth that the child was being
whipped. was ill-fed, was dressed
raggedly and was not kept clean Mr..
Taylor said that upon receipt of these
letters he kept careful watch of the
premises and on one occasion had a
talk with Mr. Merrill and his wife in
the bayfield, relative to the baby, but
had never made any threats except to
say that if the baby was not properly
looked after, he would make it hot for
them. He said that he meant that in
court and have the custody of the baby
determined.
In his closing argument Attorney
Clason stated that that there had been
no direct evidence that the defendant,
young, frail man, had threatened to
do the complainant, a strong, rugged
and older man. any bodily harm, and
on these grounds argued for a dis
charge.
Mr.. Howard stated in closing the
case that he feared Taylor; feared to
meet him and said that for the past
three weeks he had not gone out Of
the house after dusk without being ac-
companied; that he was a man we'll
advanced in years, had seen many
hardships and was now a physical
wreck, his health being poor, his eye
sight bad and his memory failing him.
For these reasons he wanted Taylor
placed under bonds to keep the peace
Judge Larrabee discharged Taylor,
saying that the evidence presented was
not strong enough to make it neces-
sary to place him under bonds.
When the decision was rendered, the
women in the case waxed indignant
and began to tell Judge Larrabee, what
was right and what wasn't right and
what they would do and what they
wouldn't do, if Taylor bothered them
any more.
While they were talking at the top
If their voices, Attorney Clason came
from Judge Larrabee's private office,
where he had been talking with the
defendant. whereupon Mrs. Taylor as
sat,cd him with epithets and with these
parting remarks the women left the
court room and the crowd dispersed
and one more chapter of the Taylor's
family troubles was brought to an end