Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-04-13
Senior Pardon Hearing

/ The public hearing on the petition for
pardon Of Stephen Senior Of Sanford,
now serving a 15-years term for rape of
his daughter Martha. aged 10 years, in
1917. followed the Norton hearing. Attor-
ney Lucius B. SWEET of Sanford conduct
ed the case for the petitioner.
Mr.. SWEET based the application for
pardon on the fact that the trial had
failed to hear evidence which would tend
to prove Seniors innocence and that
practically it was frame-up on the part
Of his wife and two daughters to be rid
Of him from the household in order that
they might have more liberty. he said
that Senior at times drank. but that he
was not bad man; stood well in the
| community and had many friends who
believed in his innocence.
Counsel said the appearance Of board
er in the family was the beginning Of tho
: trouble at the Senior home. He began4to
notice that his wife was becoming inter-
ested in the boarder and that the new
conner was becoming more than head of
the family than he OSenior) was. Finally
came time when he was charged with
having gone to his own daughters room
on Sept. 20. 1872, driven the youngest,
Mary, aged about II. from the room and
assaulted Martha. He was arrested and
while in the lookup was visited by the
boarder, who said that if Senior would
leave the State and stay out his wife
would not appear against him. He prom
Used and did so. 90 - r..
| As time went on he felt that he had
made a mistake and decided to return,
face his accuser1 and prove his inno-
cenee. He went to Sanford. met his wife
and daughters. who left the house for
the street, where he followed them and
q scene ensued, resulting in another
charge and arrest. from which the con-
victaon resulted. Said Seniors mother
in-law. Mrs. Carroll. visited him in jail
ana told him 1t was a frame-up to get
rid Of him and she would be witness
for him, but when the trial came she re-
fused to appear for him. An appeal from
the verdict was taken. but not prosecut-
ed for want of funds.
Since Senior had been in State prison
he has been a model prisoner.
= Warden e. H. Waterhouse Of the State
prison, who was at the Council meeting
on other business, was called by Mr..
SWEET and stated that Senior had been
absolutely trustworthy while . prisoner
and his word was thoroughly good.
Counsel SWEET presented large num-
ber Of letters from people who expressed
their doubt Of Seniors guilt and their
wish that he be granted executive elem
ency. among them from the following:
Rev. H. F. Huss, pastor Of the Bap-
fist church in springvale; Judge Geo. F.
Hanson, who presided over the munici.
pal court at the time and who thought
there was something flshy about it, FL
mer e. weutworth Of sprinsvale. Elmer
y. Harris, postm3ster Of springvale. who
Thought It . fraIne-up:" Hiram b. Rowe
cashier Of the springvale National Bank;
Rev. jos. o. Casavant. q priest Of Spring
vale and the Seniors next neighbor: VIII
Hutchins. reporter Of the Sanford Trib.
une and daily papers correspondent, who
always thought Senior not guilty.
Harmon g. Allen, q dry goods mer-
chant and trustee Of Mason Institute,
who thought 1t . frame-up and the SEN
timent Of the people for pardon; How
and q. Perkins. postmaster Of SANFORD,
who thought guilt was doubtful; unso-
licited latter from State Prison Chap
lain, e. v. Allen, favoring a pardon;
0ooxR0 e. AnG0, IeCOrQ0r OF the court
and who issued the warrant and who.
had he known the circumstance would
not have issued it; now believes Senior
innocent.
Counsel SWEET asked Warden Water-
house II he had been Obliged to change
Seniors work. The warden said he had
bnct. but the former warden found Sem
| Tor had too much opportunity: to brood
over his situatfon and he put him on
other work. whore he now seems more
cpntented. Mr.. SWEET said two Jobs At
least awaited Senior II released. He
also presented three petitions. bearing
ass names. headed by George Worces-
ter. II. ,. Rowe and J. T. Robinson.
Counsel argued that nearly. four years
in the State prison. under the circuu-
stances was ample punishment for any.
thing bad Senior may have done and
he thought that II released he would
make. An honest, Industrious. sober citi-
ran. otherwise. II he had to serve out
the whole sentence: he would come out
about 60 years Of ass and 1t ) had time
g begin life anew. He asked Z par
don. ....s. rs 50 IS IS .ss
80 6