Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-09-06
Correspondence.
Playing Politics With Murder.
ELLSWORTH, Maine, Sept. 5, 1915


case political issue, and that the county
duct OF the case for political purposes, and
wheress firmly bellows that the people Of
this county. as whole, are above play
ing politics with one of the most brutal
I murders ever committed in this State, 1
am constrained, in justice to the officers
of this county, to make plain statement
of the facts in connection with the in
! vestigation OF this case. Following are
the facts:
Mrs. Emma Turnbull WAS murdered on
the afternoon of Aug. 4. 1915 at Otter
Creek. and Immediately upon being noti-
| fed thereof Sheriff Silsby and myself be-
gan an investigation of the crime, in
I which Investigation we r. ceived the full
est cooperation and assistance of Chief
of Police Gerry and Deputy Sheriff Clark,
| both OF Bar Harbor.
Early in the investigation suspicion was
directed toward Guy Small. Of Otter
tirely circumstantial, and the officials did
not deem ii advisable toscsuse his arrest
until more positive evidence could be OBJ
/ tanned. tending either to show mis- guilt
more strongly, or to eliminate him.
| The state OF Maine makes an appro-
priation for the Investigation of crime,
and places it at the disposal Of the at
torney general of Maine l made an APP
plication 10 Attorney General W. r. Pat
tangail, for competent detective to assist
the county officials in the Investigation Of
| this murder.
| He detailed State Detective Lawrence J.
/ Colgsn, who came to US on Aug H. 1916
| Sheriff Siisby and myself met State De-
tective Colzan at the early morning train
/ in Ellsworth, and after giving HIM in de-
tail the evidence obtained up to that time,
| We took him to Otter Creek, that be might
view the premises where the crime was
committed. We also took him to all OF
the various persons from whom we had
obtained evidence, including Guy Small.
We were with State Detective Colgan
from Friday. Aug. II, until Monday after
noon. Aug. Il, when State Detective Col
gan wanted to have Guy Small arrested,
and said that public opinion demanded
an arrest Sheriff Silsby and myself both
advised against the arrest OF Guy Small at
that time. and told State Detective Colgan
that while Small, II arrested, would prob
ably be held. in our opinion his arrest at
this time would be grave mistake, as the
evidence Was weak, and that the arrest
would hinder the State in obtaining fur
Their evidence; that upon arrest hearing
would be necessary, and the State would
tSsr c.d inst hat
it had obtained up to that time.
State Detective Colgsn remained in Bar
Harbor until Tuesday, Aug. 2, when he
arrested Guy Small without the knowledge
of. and without consulting either Sheriff
Silsby or myself. Neither was either OF
us notified by State Detective Colgan,
after the arrest, that he had taken such
action. The first knowledge that we had
of the arrest came from Smalrs attorney.
asking what time had been fixed for
Smaii's trial
sheriff Silsby and Immediately weA to
Bar Hsrbor, and had an interview with
state Detective Coigan. When asked Why
be had arrested Guy Small without adj
yising or consulting with US, he said in
substance that public sentiment in Bar
Harbor demanded an arrest, and that he
had been directed by Attorney-General
PaItangaii to make it.
State Detective Colgan admitted that he
had obtained no material evidence in ad-
dition to that given him by MS when he
first arrived, and was not prepared to
make q report on the case.
Jarranged for Q hearing before the har
Harbor municipal court, TO be bad on
Thursday, Aug. "a. and notified Attorney
General Pzttangall of the time and place.
He did not appear at the hearing
issued subpoenas for such witnesses Is we
had, and Sheriff Silsby served them The
hearing lasted for two days. Hon. L B.
Deasy, of Bar Harbor, had already been
retained by Mr.. Herbert Redding, son-in-
Law OF the murdered woman, and gave me
valuable assistance at the hearing.
Guy Small did not testify at the bearing,
and his attorney, e. 8. Clark, OF Bar Har-
Dor, offered no evidence in defense. At
the close of the hearing Small was
held for the grand jury, and is now in
Jail in Ellsworth.
As previously stated, all Of the evidence
obtained up to the time OF arrest was
purely circumstantial, and WAS not con-
sidered by us as sufficient to warrant the
arrest at the time.
! The county ofhcials were then, and are
now, making an honest and faithful
effort TO discover who committed the
crime, and are trying not to be Influenced
| by prejudice or by public eiamor for .
speedy arrest, as they realize fully that the
responsibility and the burden Of q con-
viction finally fall upon them.
was very much surprised at the action
taken in this case, particularly in view Of
correspondence / had with the attorney
generals Office at Augusta, which is hereto
appended in full.
AUGUSTA, Aug. l6, 1916