Only in New England : the story of a gaslight crime (22 page)

Robert Babcock (whole truth and nothing but, I do) remembered Earnest yelling at his mother in the store. "About money. Earnest was mad about the old man's will."

Jasper J. Jones, a "distant relative" of Mrs. Abby Bridewell, testified (whole truth, etcetera) that Earnest had forced the old father to transfer some property into his, Earnest's, name. Had flattered and cajoled the invalid Captain. But had wanted to put

his father under a guardian. Abby Bridewell wouldn't hear of it. After the old man died, Jones had witnessed a furious family argument over probate proceedings.

Wilbur Hatfield (sworn) identified himself as a Notary Public. He testified that late in 1910 Abby Bridewell had called him to the house about some documents. While they were going over these papers—deeds and things—Earnest came into the parlor. Abby picked up one of the documents, saying she would keep charge of it. Earnest snatched the paper from her. Then, as Mr. Hatfield worded it: "A struggle followed, and Mrs. Bridewell fell to the floor. There seemed to be a good deal of feeling between her and her son on this occasion." *

So many neighbors and fellow townsmen heard disputatious shouts echoing from the Bridewell house that it convinced me a new twist should be applied to an old aphorism. Adults should be seen and not heard.

And there are occasions when it would be best for some adults if they were not even seen. At least four witnesses testified to seeing Earnest swig from a bottle late in the afternoon of Tuesday, April 11, so help them God.

Charlie Ravens, bartender, Center Saloon, stated: "The Senator come in about five P.M. Bought him a bottle of Weybosset Gin. Uncorked it and had him a drink before he left. He drove off in the direction of his mothers."

Nettie Gamber, nee Purdy, housewife, stated: "The Senator stopped his buggy under a tree before my house at about ten after five. I saw him take a drink from a bottle, then drive on."

Hornsby J. Styles, helper at Grimes' Smithy, stated: "Seen the Senator go by the blacksmith shop at a quarter after five. I was paring a hoof on Mrs. Babcock's mare. He pulled up down the road and took him a tilt from a bottle."

And, of course, Mrs. Smeizer of the telescopic eye noticed the gin-bibbing. "The Senator drove into his mother's yard about five-twenty. Before he went in the house he pulled a bottle from his coat and took a long one. Then he threw the bottle away into the bushes."

*
Verbatim quote from the records.

Coulter rose to each statement to cross-question the witness. How big was the bottle? Witness Ravens could not exactly remember. Witnesses Gamber, Styles and Smeizer were not certain. But Bartender Ravens, his memory joggled, finally recalled it as a half-pint flask. Not a great deal of gin, surely. Yet more than enough to cast doubt on Senator Bridewell's sobriety when he called on his mother just before suppertime on the evening of April 11.

Of course Abby Bridewell had not met her death before supper-time on the evening of April 11. Earnest had called, spoken his highly audible piece, and left. Witnesses had seen him on the southbound road about six o'clock. His wife testified that he had reached her table in time for supper. Vacuous Alvin supported this domestic testimony. There could be little doubt that the Senator had been at his "south-side place" between six and eight on the evening of April 11. The State's attorney made no effort to contend otherwise. Evidently he was satisfied with the facts thus far developed.

Prosecution had established motive: Earnest Bridewell was in desperate need of funds.

Prosecution had established attitudes: Earnest Bridewell had for years been at loggerheads with his mother and had quarreled violently with her over the treatment of his late father and the disposition of his late father's estate.

Prosecution had established aptitude: Earnest Bridewell had displayed a pernicious temperament, a savage temper when "in liquor," and a recent habit of placing himself "under the influence."

There remained the business of establishing opportunity, developing the aptitude theme to the point of performance, and proving guilt by directly associating the accused with the murder weapon. State's Attorney Bolivar Dodd now produced his big guns.

Asa Goodbody (surprise witness).

Mrs. Smeizer (recalled).

Hobart Cudworth (body-finder).

Lionel Bridewell (accused's own brother).

When the barrage was over a betting observer would have wagered that State Senator Earnest Bridewell was a dead man.

"The State calls Asa Goodbody."

"Do you solemnly swear. . . ." Do.

"Mr. Goodbody, will you please tell what occurred, to your knowledge, about breakfast time, Wednesday morning, April twelfth?"

Goodbody relates the episode recounted in my reconstruction of the inquest records. Concluding with his statement that Earnest Bridewell had asked him to say, if questioned, that relations had always been above reproach between him and his mother.

"And was that all Mr. Bridewell asked of you?"

"No, t'warnt."

"What else did he want you to do or say?"

"Wanted I should make a statement in his behalf."

"To what effect?"

"Huh?"

"What did he want you to say?"

"If any question rose about it, he wanted me to say that I was with him at his south-side place 'long about nine to eleven, evening of April eleventh. I was seeing a man about a horse close to there. But anyhow I wasn't with Earnest Bridewell, since he wasn't there."

"Objection!"

"On what grounds, Mr. Coulter?"

"The State's Attorney is well aware of the grounds. This witness could not have known whether the defendant was at his south-side place or not."

"Objection sustained! And counsel will please address their remarks to this Bench rather than to each other. . . . The witness will please confine his answers to the questions asked."

"What was the question?"

"Just this, Mr. Goodbody. What did the defendant, Earnest Bridewell, ask you to say?"

"That I was with him between nine and eleven the evening his mother was killed."

"Did he offer you anything in return for such testimony?"

"He said he'd give me ten acres of land."

Defense passes on cross-examination. Through Goodbody, the State has scored a body blow that leaves Earnest Bridewell looking pale and winded.

"The State calls Mrs. Bertha Smeizer."

"Swearwholetruth, nothinbutthatruth. . . . ?" 1 swear.

"Mrs. Smeizer, will you please tell what you heard and saw at the Bridewell house on the evening of April eleventh and at breakfast time, April twelfth?"

She said she would. She did. The gist I have already recounted. Considerably abridged in the interest of avoiding redundancy, and pruned of numerous interruptions by objecting defense counsel. Bolivar Dodd, however, employed tautology to emphasize theme. One point he particularly wanted to drive to the hilt.

"Please tell us now what you saw after dark on the evening of April eleventh."

"I've told you I saw the dressmaker leave the Bridewell house about eight, at which time Mrs. Ord went in. Some time later she came out and went away."

"What did you see after that?"

"Well, it was dark. I was looking out of the window. Just sitting and looking. . . ."

Did the front door of the Bridewell house open and shut? She was sure it did. Did the kitchen door slam a short time later? Well, some sound directed her attention to the porch at the side. She saw a figure there. A shadow.

"Do you think it could have been Earnest Bridewell?"

"Objection! Calls for a conclusion by the witness."

"Sustained."

"Mrs. Smeizer, did you see Earnest Bridewell at that late hour on the kitchen porch?"

"In the dark there. I think it was him."

"Objection!"

"All right. I'm sure. It was him."

"Now, Mrs. Smeizer. As a close neighbor, did you often hear quarreling at the Bridewell house?"

"Often. Whenever Earnest and Lionel was there, why—"

"Please, restrict your answer to the question, Mrs. Smeizer."

"Yes, I heard quarreling."

"Did you know of particularly bad feeling between the defendant Earnest Bridewell and his mother?"

"They were not so very friendly. One time Earnest threw his mother on the floor and she struck her head against the table.* Or so Abby Bridewell told me."

"Objection! Objection! Objection!"

"Sustained. The Bench must warn the witnesses in this case that hearsay allegations are not permissible."

"If Your Honor please—"

"Do not try the Court's patience."

"Your witness, Mr. Coulter."

"Mrs. Smeizer. For all your friendly and neighborly interest in the business of others, isn't it a fact that—no, let me rephrase the question. Isn't it true that several years ago you had a quarrel with Mr. Earnest Bridewell?"

"We had some words, but I hold no ill feeling. He—"

"One more question. Mrs. Smeizer, do you wear glasses?"

"Only for sewing. Otherwise I'm far-sighted."

"No more questions. But I should like permission to recall this witness."

The witness steps down. I could imagine her almost missing the step.

"The State calls Hobart Cudworth.'

"Do you swear. . . ."

"Yessir."

*
Verbatim quote from the records.

"Now, Mr. Cudworth, will you tell. . . ."

He told. About going to the Scenic Palace with Walter Jones on that fateful Tuesday evening. Coming home and going straight to bed. Up at six A.M. to build a fire. To the yard and back into the kitchen. Noticing the cellar door ajar. Looking down on death. Racing to Earnest Bridewell's place on the south side of the Point.

"Mr. Cudworth. While serving as Abby Bridewell's hired man, did you notice animosity between her and the defendant?"

"If that means was they at loggerheads, I would say plenty. Snapping turtles in a box."

"You witnessed quarrels between them?"

"Seemed like every time the Senator seen her they had a squabble. It was over money."

"What sums did you hear mentioned?"

"Something about a will. The old Captain's money, and where was it?"

"Was it a large amount you heard mentioned?"

"Three thousand dollars. The Senator kept nagging the old woman—lady, I mean—about three thousand dollars. Also money she'd took in from selling three horses."

"Did Mr. Bridewell abuse his mother?"

"Well, he swore at her a little. He called her a liar, and she called him a liar." *

"Did he physically abuse his mother?"

"Yes, one time. He knocked her down and bruised her up." *

"Did you see this?"

"Not exactly, but I heard—"

"Objection! Really, Your Honor—!"

"Your Honor! This witness is trying to say that he heard the fight —not about the fight. This is something quite different from hearsay. If the distinguished defense counsel would hold his fire until there is something to shoot at—"

"Objection overruled. The witness will continue."

"Well, this night I'm in the kitchen, and there's this set-to in the dining room."

"Between Earnest and his mother?"

*
Verbatim quotes from record.

"That's right. He wants a paper some kind. She won't give it to him. I hear a whack. Then a sound of falling down. I look in. It's her."

"Mrs. Bridewell was down?"

"On the floor by the table. He—the Senator—is standing over her with his fist clenched."

"As though he had just knocked her down?"

"Objection! The State's Attorney is calling for a conclusion by the—!"

"I will rephrase the question. . . . When you saw the defendant standing with fist clenched over his aged mother who lay prostrate, did the defendant look angry?"

"His face was back to me."

"But his posture was combative, his fist was clenched, and you did not see him help his aged mother to her feet?"

"No."

"Your witness."

Coulter (cross-examining): "Now, Mr. Cudworth, how did you get along as hired man at the Bridewell homestead?"

"Well enough."

"But you did occasionally object to the food."

"Sometimes."

"Were you ever scolded by Mr. Earnest Bridewell for neglecting your duties and loafing on the job?"

"Objection!"

"Overruled."

"What was the question?"

"Did Mr. Earnest Bridewell ever ask you to pay attention to your job and quit loafing?"

"He was at me a couple of times."

"Did you ever with your own eyes see Mr. Earnest Bridewell strike his mother."

"No. Like I said, that time I heard the—"

"Please confine your answers to yes or no. Did you ever actually see the defendant strike his mother?"

"No."

"Or ever lay hands on her?"

"No."

"But you do say you heard him discussing household funds with her?"

"Objection! Defense counsel is putting words in the witness's mouth. Household funds, indeed!"

"Your Honor, my question refers to budgetary funds such as every mother and son might well discuss."

"In that case the objection is overruled."

"Mr. Cudworth, then?"

"I forgot the question."

"Did you ever overhear the defendant and his mother discussing household funds."

"I don't know what the funds were. Except the three thousand dollars they wrangled about—"

"Mr. Cudworth!"

"Well, you asked me, didn't you?"

"Very well. You say you heard words between them—something about three thousand dollars. Would you mind telling the Court how many times you heard that particular sum of money discussed?"

Doubtless after due head-scratching, Cudworth came up with an answer that might well serve as a standard substitute for the classic but overworked "I don't remember."

He said: "Gee, you've got me." *

"The State calls the defendant's brother, Lionel Bridewell."

Tension in the courtroom. A sudden cessation of scuffing and coughing. Stretching necks. Craning heads. "There he is," a woman voices an excited whisper as handsome Lionel rises from a seat on the aisle and strolls to the witness stand.