Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-04-21

following: Archie c. Adams, Scion:
j. c. Kincaid. Athens: John Kelly,
Moscow; Milton Rowe, Skowhegan;
Leon w. Goodrich, Bingham: George
Snow. Madison; c. T. Perkins. Har-
mony; Norris Wilson. Pittsfield; VIM.
Hooper, Arson: NJ. L. Watson, Cam
bridge: G. S. Robinson. sSkow be gan.
The clerk of courts, VIM T. Seekins,
was unable to be in court and his
stenographer. Miss Lena Wyman adj
nlnistered the oath in his place. The
first witness for the State was Henry
Crowell. Skowhpgan, a surveyor who
made the charc of the Gilbreth
block. used lin the trial. Other en-
hibits presented. by the State and adj
mitted without question by the re-
spondent. were l. photos of the Gill
breth block, taken by Phillip Bowker
Of FAIRFIELD. who was called as Sec
ond witness. The third witness was
A. 5. Drummond, Waterville. who is
connected with the Waterville Saw
ings bank as cashier. Mr.. Drummond
testified that the bank had owned the
block for 40 years Cohen pur-
chased the property on Sept. 20. 1920,
giving mortgages and notes of one
year time. When the first note came
due, on Sept. 20, 81. Cohen was I'M
able to meet payment, it was extend
ed six months which would have
made it due on Mar. 20, '22, or eight
days before the fire. Preston Delano,
a barber; A. II. Jewell butcher
and the sixth witness, William Self
Ter, grocer all testified to having
occupied the block for long term of
years and that Cohen, on purchasing
the block greatly increased their rent
and that they all moved out as soon
as other locations were obtainable.
The seventh witness was 3. II. Law
renee, formerly selectmen and asses
sor for IT. years From this witness
the State evidently wished an esti-
mate of the value of the property.
but the respondent objected. The
eighth witness was Claud Taylor who
was the most important witness
heard. He was called just before
dinner but it was decided to ad-
| journ. and to hear his testimony at
the opening of the afternoon session.
| Mr.. Taylor testified that on Wednes-
day preceding the attempt to burn
! the building, he rented of said Co.
| hen, part of the basement, where
he was to open q steam fitting shop.
| He was the one who discovered the
| light in the basement, Sunday night.
and notified Officer Quincy, and who
| with him Investigated and found TIE
| lighted candle in tin cans. spread
about II inches apart in the other
| part of the basement. which Cohen
had reserved and nailed up, when lie
! let Taylor have his part. The pans
containing the candles were sur
rounded by a large amount of paper.
hay, excelsior and straw, which was
saturated with kerosene oil. A young
J man by the name of Mcpherson aged
| 10 at the direction of Officer Quincy
went in and blew out the candles.
Taylor was submitted to a very rigid
examination, by Attorney Pattangall.
The last witness was Joseph Quincy
of the police force of Fairfield. The
following also testified. Deputy Sher-
if Wallace A. Hill of Fairfield; Clar-
ence II. Rodcrick. who occupied the
garage in the Gilbreth block: Warren
Blaisdell. who, with his wife and niHe
children, occupy the room over the
vacated stores; Fred Stcaring. a con
ductor on the Watcrville- Fairfield
line; and Charles Danforth. q motor
man of the same lire. The latter
two. Testified TO Cohen's coming up
on the car that day. Charles Oak Of
Fairfield; belmont Gerry and Frank
8. Smith both of Fairfield who tes-
tilted to seeing Cohen in town on that
day. The first witness to be called
at the opening Of court this Friday
morning is Sheriff John A. MoOers of
Skowhegan which is expected to be
Of much Importance. This case has
caused a great deal OF interest.