Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-02-10
BURKE'S TRIAL
Starts Wednesday at
Skowhegan
Charged with Murder Nelson Bart
ley-Resume Of Evidence Cleaned
from Preliminary Hearing - Burke
Gains in Weight

Skowhegan, Me-, Feb. 9.-Wednes-
day morning, Feb. 18th. the trial OF
John Burke for the murder of Nelson
BARLEY Of Jackman, which occurred
last October will begin before Asso-
ciate Justice Charles ]. Dunn at
Skowhegan. The evidence which was
presented at the time of the prelim-
mary hearing before Judge H. ii.
Brazzell of the Western Somerset Mu-
nicipal Court held at Jackman Nov.
26th, and eth, was in brief that John
Burke and NeE.on BARLEY left the
Moose River Inn. Bartley's hotel at
Jackman, at SIS P. M. on Wednesday
Oct. Is. A car was seen at the Arm
strong Bars that evening and at $40
p. M. Burke called at the home of
John A. Bulmer in Jackman. Burke
stated that he and BARLEY had a
chewing match" after which Burke
stopped to light a match and BARLEY
shot him inflicting a flesh wound in
the calf of the right leg. Burke stat
ed that after BARLEY shot him, Bart
ley had run away. Judge Brazzell
found probable cause and Burke was
held for the Grand jury. Wren the
Grand jury set. there were about 80
of the inhabitants Of Jackman III
Skowhegan, almost all of whom were
summoned here as witnesses, An in
dictment was returned, Burke was
arraigned and pleaded mot guilty"
Burke will be represented by able
counsel, Ex-Attorney General w. r.
Pattangall Of Augusta. recognized as
one of the ablest jury lawyers in the
State, will head the list assisted by
Ex-County Attorney Thomas Leigh
of Augusta and Chester H. Mills Of
Jackman. Attorney General Guy M.
Sturgis. will appear for the State as
sisted by County Attorney E. F. Mer-
rill. The trail will undoubtedly re-
solve itself into question Of time
and distance. Could Burke have kill
ed BARLEY and secreted his body and
acquired the wound, which he ex-
hibited, in the one-half hour during
which his movements are Swallowed
in mystery?
Bartley's body was found on Sat
ley's brother Henry and E. A. Piper,
three and three-eights miles north
from Bartley's hotel. up the Cam
adam road and in the Sugar Berth
woods. From the edge of the woods
to spot where q pool Of blood was
found is forty-four feet and this pool
was four or five feet from a hole in
the ground. caused by the up-rooting
Of two fir trees and it was in this
hole the body was located.
Sheriff Mooers was notified and
went to Jackman Immediately where
he started investigations. County
Attorney Merrill, who happened to
pass through Jackman on his way
home from Quebec, at this time
ordered an autopsy. 1t was found
Barley had been shot twice. One
bullet entered the skull from the
front and another from the back. of
the head. The two bullets met in the
cerebrum. Bartley's stomach was re-
moved and taken to the Bowdoin
Medical school for examination.
Later the body Of Bartlett was ex-
humed and the intestinal tract ex-
amined. This was done to determine
if possible how long after his sup
per BARLEY had died.
Burke has horne hie confinement in
the Jail we'll and neither in his con-
versation or physical appearance
shows any sign Of worry. Burke has
served as tax collector in Jackman
and also as deputy sheriff. 1t is
known that he and BARLEY had some
business dealings together and there
are notes which Burke asserts Bart
ley owed him at the time Of his death.
BARLEY left an estate valued at over
$50 900 and was a man who had wide
circle Of friends.
Witnesses have begun to arrive
from Jackman. Rooms have been en-
gagged for long time and it is fear
ed late arrivals will have difficulty in
securing Accommodations. John Burke
was in his usual cheerful frame Of
mind Monday morning. 1t is reported
that he has gained so pounds in
weight since hie imprisonment.