Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-23
Judge in BoIduc Case
Takes Drastic Action.
Drops Senior Counsel for De-
fence from the Case.
Or. Ferguson Takes Witness Stand
In His Own Behalf.

Boston, March 22.-Dr. John ID.
ferguson of Manchester, n. H., on
rial with Mrs. Annie w. Reed of Bos-
.on and Miss Mary O'Neill of Man .
chester for being concerned in the
death of Miss Marie Bolduc, took tht
.,itness stand, today. in his own be
lalf. He accounted in detail his pro-
essional relations with the girl and
enied that he had ever treated he-
eept to advise a poultice for an alb
'eess. He said that he and Miss O'Nei.
eent to Boston with Miss Boldue, and
cat all three visited the house of Mrs.
iced. who was about to leave for New
anpshire. He declared that he
started home With the understanding
hat the Boldue girl was going to IT,.
house of Mrs. Shattuck. in Roxbury.
His testimony agreed with that Civ
en- by Mrs. Reed and Miss O'Neil III
Gearly all details. When he reached
he Shattuck house. after being sum-
moned from Manchester to identify the
body of girl, he said he found that
N attempt had been made to cut it
dp. 1t was his belief that when he
cached the house on Dec. 20 the girl
lad been dead several days.
Assistant District Attorney Lavelle
had protested against the interference
+ Mr.. CoakleX when Judge Chase di-
ected the jurors to retire, and adj
lressing MIR. Coakley said:
since the beginning of this trial
ten have constantly obstructed it by
objections and exceptions, so that your
'onduct has become q traversty Ct
justice. Your manner toward the court
has been insolent and eontemptuous
throughout the trial, aud l shall no
longer permit you to continue in the
case. | order that you be excluded
from the courtroom
Shaking hands with Miss ONeil. Mr.
CoakleY walked out OF the room with
out comment.
The jury was then sent for and NJ
John II, Blanchard, counsel for Mrs
Reed, suggested that postponement b.
had to enable Or. Ferguson and Miss
o'Neil TO procure other counsel.
Judge Chase. however expressed con
fdence in the ability of Mr. Callahan
the junior counsel, when Mr.. callahan
said he was not prepared to continue ,ae
case. The judge said that the name q
Mr.. Callahan appeared on the back 81
the indictment as the original counsel for
DR. Ferguson and Miss O'Neil, and the
court believed the rights of his client.
would be fully protected
The trial then proceeded and Mr. La,
velle resumed his examination of pr
Ferguson.
John II. Blanchard. on behalf of Mrs
Reed, then interrogated DR.. Ferguson
for about half an hour.
DR. Ferguson, in answer to Mr. Blanch
ard, said that the last time he SAW Mrs
Reed before he went TO her house witt
the Bolduc girl was in the previous Au.
gust and in the interim he had not ha6
any communication with her, either BY
telephone or by letter. although NJ
thought Miss O'Neil might have had. Be
fore he came to Boston with the Boldue
girl on Dec. 10, he has not communicated
with Mrs. Reed in relation TO the objec;
of his coming, he testified. After ar.
irving at Mrs. Reeds house, he said
he told her that he wanted to find boar
and lodging for Miss Bolduc which She
was being treated for an abscess at some
free hospital. They were In Mrs. Reeds
house not more than five or six minutes
and in that time Mrs. Reed did not lay
hands on the girl neither did she use
any instruments upon her, he declared