Trial OF Nicholas >. Gordon for the Murder


OF Amasa SPraRue.
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THURSDAY AFTERNOON, April TO-
WILLIAM H GREENE Saw Nicholas 9. Gordon about
o'clock ON the day Of the murder; he was going up
westminster street, in this city.
PAUL wHEELocK Went into Nicholas Gordon's store
early in the winter of ls4s, and before the MURDER had
seen Nicholas before, but not acquainted with him
he talking about his license and Mr. Sprsgue said he
would be revenged sprague, and seemed angry; he
was talking to man did not know stopped only about
GLEs JAMES in Nicholas Gordon in the fall
Of s4s asked him glass Of brandy he said he had
no license; said Amasa Sprsgus damned Algerne had
prevented his getting license; but that Amasa Sprague
would be out Of the way before another year and would
not be before the Council Of Crsnston to prevent his
getting license. he said would have his revenge II
God spared his e alse called there the last Wednes
brandy Gordon aad had license and that he sold
wi hou. they would prosecute him; saw him at Mat
he called there with man he called O'bren and inqur
ed the time Of night some said Mr.. SpIague was
a h. cbass h
sorry, and said OBren if you talk the people in
the house won't like it, end shall 60 along; they went
out door, and turned up the street.


Cross-tramined-The subject Of the murder being
talked about at the tavern when Nicholas I'M he
pesred sincere when he said he sorry, and seemed
shocked when he learnt Sprague murdered.


tHADEys MAsonssrEs;-I was in Nchoss Gordon's
end asked for something drink he said he could not
sell Il, as he had no license Ben Kit came in and he
took to be new rum Nicholas said sprsgue had kept
him from getting license and said he would have him
out Of R% . U me ss
TALL stout man. and small man they were fooiing and
appeared like men who had been drinking they had
gun.


Cross eramined.-I have known N. 8. Gordon good
many years; what he said, did not impress me very
looked upon only complaint against Mr. sprsgue
c0n5uct never mistrusted he would kill Mr. Sprsgue
B.
Der or October l643, at tavern IN warwick he asked
me when the Council set in the town Of Warwick told
him, not till the second Monday IN next month he said
he thought of purchasng tavern stand At CIompton
Mills; then asked me if William sprague was in War
wick what Amasa Sprague in Cranston said Amasa
sprague ruled the OF Cranston and prevented him
from obtaining lie ssd, God damn him, he would
come up with him before the year was up


ramned-Ths conversation first occurred my
mind when heard of Mr. Sprague's murder; did not
qured and ascertaned his in less than hall an hour


JOHN srkvsrs-saw NJ 8. Gordon at Hoyle's tavern,
in this city, Monday morning after the murder; asked
about the murder he said the murder had been
mited said he was sorry for it, as the chief Of his bust
siness came from the who worked in Sprague's
poy. said it would hurt his business; scme one men
toned pistol gun had been found and the murderer
should.


WILLIAM BoyD-Lived near Mr. sprague's two years
ago saw Nicholas have coat the color ef which
sembled the in Court when first this coat after
the murder thought it resembled the had seen
nave on mao uI sa y.
of resemblance.


JAMES BaowN-saw Nicholas on Monday afternoon af.
ter the murder; had lately came from all Rlver he
told me there had been sad sar in the villages he stated
to where he Sunday: said he had not been to
Mr. Sprague: he felt ashamed to 60 alone: he also
said he felt ashamed to the place Of murder alone
but he intended to go: thought he looked differently
from what he generally Gid: he held his head down didn't


Crosseransined- L knew that Gordon was suspected,
and believed him to be guilty.


8. CusHINo-l made the calculation cf the apparent
lime of sunset the 3lst Of December, ls43 At the
place where the body was found would be o'clock 30
minutss at sprague's house. O'Clock "a minutes: a.
Kipgston's, O'Clock 25 minutes.


AMOS PorrER-saw, Nicholas Gordon in the road near
der: tall man was with him: thought he was intoxi
Gated: he said bad affair has happened out here's thank
God did not help kill him: was not here.


ATTORNEY GENERAL BLAKE here stated that the Govern
vi ent had no further testimony to introduce.


Mr % Gee to up the &C.
o'clock, when the Court ADJOURNED to meet to
morning at 9 o'clock.


FRIDAY MoRNISo, April H..


Mr. Potter resumed and concluded bis opening argu-
men touching upon all the evidence which had
roduced by the government and applying to the charge
set forth in the indictment


When he had concluded,


SAMUEL Curry opened for the prisoner briefly setting
forth the propositions which the defendant would attempt
to establish, and then proceeded to examine the


PRHoNER's WITNESSES


HoRArIo N. WATERMAN Recalled for the prisoner
Was by when De Merritt traced the foot prints
Gordons house did notice any tracks leading from
the house tcwards Hawkins Hole; never heard Of any
recolect that Mr. De Merritt spoke Of such track on
former trial never heard Of It till now.


Cr0sssrGmined Il went to Gordon's throuah the
chard; several rods from De Merritt.


Direct Il looking for tracks, and had the same op
portuny when near the house. to observe such track
that he mad.


WALTER BEATTIr-went with Rowland Mothewson to
Bog Meadow, with boot to see If II would f the track
running towards Gordon's house. This before any
had fallen, bat cannot recollect what day was
We found no trsck the boot would ft


night and again on Monday morning. Gardons house Z
between my house and place OF murder. got the
isnss o. RODS from ma Gordon and went directly
with me. THIS Monday morning did not
notice any track leading from the swamps to Gordons
house.


ABBY ANN KING. : Ncholss Gordon boarded in my
house from Sept lSil, to June July, ls42 He had
evercoat when he came to board with me- and bouah hit
while he there She second was the green
court, think; never saw him have the blue
O me rn
and il was afterwards cut up Thinks 1t was Of dark
green color.


not shaggy, like coat found in swamp.


MARGARET GORDON. sister OF prisoncr.-Camc to this
country June, 1919. and staid with Nicholas till No
vember. Have him have the green coat frequently
him have the blue coat never saw before
saw Court We used the back door of the house
chiefly; went to the Prvy from that door never heard
Nicholas use any threatening language towards Mr.
sprague. worked with Mr. stinson in this city when
the murder committed; was at homo on Christmas
day; John and william were both there.
EILKN GORDON. mother Of prisoner-Hsve resided with
Nicholas Ia Cranston, since came to this country in
June, is43 the green coat resembles belonging
Nicholas the blue coat till saw II
was at homo ON the day of the murder had not been
home Christmas used the back door OF the
house swept the dirt out Of that dsor threw the sops
there, and went to privy from that door did
John have gun on day Of murder.


Croseraminsd-- Caht say positively that have
the coat the possession OF John Nicholas IA
p,ir Of pantaoons taken from Gordon's house. were
shown to witnessl Don't know as ] ever saw them in
the house Was in the house all day Monlay after
the murder there good many people 10 the store,
but did into the house the ocers came In in
the evening.
CURRY, permission read The testimony Of Professor
Caswel given at former trial set lrth that snow
e to the depth Of inches the 9th December
ls43 and that fell after that period, and prior
the time OF murder.
house at time OF murder intimate acquainted with
Nicholas Gordon had known him Ave years have
him wear the green oveIcca; saw the blue
in his possession never heard him threatening
language against Sprsgue his dos ased to lay behind the
counter lhave been behind the counter, but never
noticed whist the dog lay


Crosse raminedI think Gordon kept store in Cranston
from two to three years ago last spring, till time Of mur
der before that he kept in Knightsve quarter OF mile
distant