Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-09-09
SUPERIOR COURT
Holland Pleads Guilty
to Manslaughter
At the Saturday Session and Is
Sentenced to Serve Not Less Than
10 Years Nor More Than 20 at
States Prison-Grand Jury Re.
ports 10 indictments

10 Years Nor More Than 20 at
States Prison-Grand Jury Re.
ports 10 indictments
In the Kennebec superior court
Saturday morning John F. Holland of
Attleboro, Mass, withdrew his plea
of not guilty of murder by reason of
insanity and pleaded guilty to man.
slaughter in causing the death of his
wife. Leona F. Holland and Fred
Mardon Of WATERFOWL, Mass, at Gar
diner. He was sentenced to serve not
less than 10 years and no. more than
20 years, with recommendation of
20 years, by Judge Fred Emery
Beane, in the State prison at Thorn
aston. Holland was indicted at the
April term of court for murder, but
was sent to the Augusta State hospi
tai for observation as to his sanity.
While Holland was on the stand at
the session Saturday he broke down
and cried.
The authorities claim that on the
18th day of last February Holland
purchased revolver in Boston and
took Pullman tran reaching Gardi
ner early in the li1cE:ng of Feb. 20.
He had been drinking heavily and
went to the home of his wife's par
ents. Mr.. and Mrs. Thomas Currie
on Middle street where Mardon was
roomer. Hollands wife had in
stituted divorce proceedings against
him and he tried to effect a recon-
Citation with her but she refused.
He then fired two shots at his wife.
one lodging in her shoulder and the
other in her mouth. She died few
days later at the Augusta General
hospital without gaining her power
Of speech.
MardOn,, who was in his room
asleep. was aroused by the shots and
while he was descending the stairs
was hit twice by Holland, one shot
entering his forehead above the right
eye and lodging in the rear Of his
skull and the second shot entering
lis left check, scvering an artery and
coming out at the left side Of the
! neck Mardon's death was instan-
taneous.
Holland. it is alleged, was jealous
of AIardon. and claimed that Mar
don and his wife were intimate.
Mardon was employed on the con-
struction Of a new bridge over Cob
bossee stream at Gardiner. Holland
is "a years of age.
Holland entered the court room in the
custody of Sheriff Edward D. Harwood
c,o L.. ~, h3,,o
suit with a flannel shirt and dark neck
tie. He was represented by Hon. George
w Heselton and Judge Will c. Atkins
of Gardiner as counsel.
Attorney Atkins stated that the de-
fence would show that Hollands wife
and Mardon were intimate in their rela-
tons.
County Attorney W H. Fisher object
ed to the introduction OF any evidence
which would tend to blacken the char
acter of dead man or woman. The
man has already pleaded guilty to man.
slaughter" declared the county attor-
ney
Walter K. Wakefield, city marshal Of
| Gardiner. testified that Holland asked
! him to go to his wife's house with him
to get some things. SO there would be
no trouble between himself and wife.
The witness stayed at the house little
while and then left, saying to Holland
that he guessed there would be no trou-
BILE. This incident occurred during the
middle or latter rart of January.
Michael Burnham. night Waterman on
the bridge where Mardon was employed,
testified that he knew Mrs. Holland and
that he saw her and Mardon together
on several different occasions. She came
to the bridge and inquired for Mardon.
she would ask how late Mardon would
have to work and to tell him that she
was waiting for him. One night Mar
don gave the witness his pay envelope,
asking him to give it Mrs. Holland,
which he did, and he saw her taken
bill from the envelope.
On cross-examination by County At
torney Fisher the witness testified that
he never saw any improper relations
between Mrs. Holland and Mardon, but
one night on the Causeway he saw Mar
don with his arms around her neck.
Where were her arms asked the
county attorney.
II could not say" replied the witness.
William H., Holland Of Boston. a
brother OF the respondent, testified that
he was with him in Boston on the day
that he left for Maine. the 10Th day OF
asst February. His brother was a peace
full man and he never saw him under
the influence of liquor
The witness testified that there had
been insanity in the family and broth
er was deported from New York to Ire
land because of insanity. The night be-
fore the respondent went to Maine he
spoke of expecting letter from his wife
and also spoke of making home for
her at Attleboro, Mass, where he was
employed.
You weren't with your brother
when nc bought the revolver in Bos-
ton. were you?" asked the county at
torney.
NO. sir I was not. replied the
witness.
Mrs. Julia Holland. wife Of the pre-
ceding witness. testified that Holland
told her that he wanted to make a
home for his wife at Attleboro. He
was very nervous during the few
days before he went to Maine. She
had never heard Holland make any
threats of doing anyone bodily harm.
John +. Holland. the respondent,
Eyy