Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-06-24
THE ARREST OF MERRILL.

Gardiner, Me, June 23.--(Special).-
Olney Merrill. who is wanted by the
officials of York county In connection
with the alleged murder of Charles
Weymouth of Saeo. passed Friday
night in one of the cells in the local
lookup. Merrill was arrested late
Friday afternoon on the farm in the
lower part of Pittston, near the Ores
den line, which he purchased over .
year ago. by Deputy Sheriff James r.
McKeen of York county. Since his
arrest Merrill has not talked about the
case, either to the officers or anyone
else. He showed signs of nervous
strain when he arrived in this city and
him and he learned who they were
that he turned deathls pale.
Deputy Sheriff Martin Burns Thurs
day evening received telephone COM
munication from Sheriff Charles o.
Emery of York county to see If he
could locate Merrill. Mr.. Burns at
once hitched up a team and started
out on a hunt for the man. He soon
found where Merrill lived and learned
that he was there, but did not go to
the farm. Returning to Gardiner he
telephoned Sheriff Emery that he had
the man located and Friday afternoon
Deputy Sheriff McKeen arrived. The
two officers went to Merrilis' home.
Mrs. Merrill was first seen and told
them that Merrill was working in the
garden. son of Mr.. and Mrs. Mer-
rill, lad about 81 years old, was seen
by the officers and questioned. He was
surprisingly ignorant of his family
connections. did not know the name
of his brother in law In Saco and did
not know from what place his folks
moved when they came to Fittsten. In
fact he seemed to have been very we'll
trained along certain lines. -
Merrill was found by the officers
hoeing his garden. He knew Mr..
Burns. but did not know Mr.. McKeen.
This man wants you. Merrill" said
Deputy Burns. @
What fer?" asked Merrill.
For the murder of Charles WeyS
mouth replied Deputy McKeen.
How do you know he Is murdered~
again asked Merrill. THE last (
heard OF. him he was in Canada"
I'VE will know when his body 10
found" replied Mr.. McKeen.
Merrill then said that he was willing
to accompany the officers and went
with them to the house. Mrs. Merrill
upon being told for what he had been
arrested did not seem TO be very much
surprised. say the officers, but, asking
no questions, began to cry. On the
drive into Gardiner Merrill offered to
go along quietly and was not hand
cuffed. He was placed in one of the
cells in the lookup and spent the night
there. He will be taken to Alfred on
the early morning train Saturday
morning.
The prisoner is man about SO years
OF age. about feet, 8 inches. weighing
between $50 and 100, and has large
family. He and his wife and four sons
live on the farm in Pittston. One other
son lives in Saco. They also have six
daughters. two living in Saco. one in
Hollis, one in Waterville. the residence
of the others being unknown.
Merrill came to Pittston from the town
of Lyman, York county. about thres
years ago. The officers say. and he has
not denied II. that he knew Charles wey-
mouth there. He is also acquainted with
Fred b. Snow and wife and Joseph Buzz
zell of Dayton. Me. DR.. Snow was ar
rested in March of this year and Is now
in Alfred jail. charged with breaking and
entering. Thursday night Buzzeli and
Mrs. Snow were arrested in Dayton, the
latter for being concerned In the death
of Weymouth and Buzzell for being one
of the aceomplices.
On the testimony of two witnesses. the
two daughters of about 10 and years OF
age, of DIR. and Mrs. Snow, the story or
Weymouth's death was told and they
Continued on Page Twelve.)