The preliminary hearing on the Rhody Merchant case, which had been scheduled for early afternoon, was delayed pending the arrival of a representative from the attorney general’s office. In the meantime, an autopsy had been held at the undertaking parlor of Glidden & Glidden by Medical Referee W.J. Roberts and County Physician Everett L. Chapman. Cause of death was determined to be a bullet that had entered Willand’s back, striking a rib and penetrating the liver, causing fatal bleeding. (The entry point of that bullet would certainly be relevant to any claim of “self-defense.”) A second bullet hit Willand’s right thigh, but only resulting in a flesh wound. At some point, Attorney General Tuttle had arrived and spent a brief period reviewing the evidence to date with Solicitor Sherry.

And here is some background: Edward A. Willand was born on May 11, 1846, in Berwick, Maine. The family moved to Rochester that same year, where his father was employed as a “tanner.” He attended grammar school followed by two years of high school in Biddeford, Maine. He apprenticed as a carpenter for two years, dividing the time between Dover and Boston, then returned to Rochester, where he worked for 15 years in a shoe factory and for a time served as chief of police in the community before it was officially organized as a city. He then moved to Dover and opened a boarding house and later became a police officer “covering the South End beat.” On April 1, 1893, he was named superintendent of the County Farm (the disastrous fire at the “Alms House,” resulting in 41 deaths, had occurred two months previous), and remained in that position for several years, then reappointed in 1909. Married on Christmas Day in 1871, the couple had two daughters. Willand was “identified with the Republican Party since he became a voter.” He was active in the Masons, and in the words of the Foster’s reporter, “a citizen who was esteemed by all who came in contact with him.” “He has ever been thoughtful of the poor people who have come under his care and has ever treated them with the utmost kindness and respect.”

You might think that having lost such an individual in the manner described above, the story could not get much worse, but later on that same evening of the 9th, while Willand was being treated at the hospital, his wife took a fall from the top of the stairway at the County Farm. She was discovered unconscious by one of the county commissioners, E.J. Ham. Dr. Chapman was notified and, upon examination, determined that Mrs. Willand was in critical condition. The police ambulance was summoned, and she was taken to the Wentworth Hospital. She was found to have suffered a broken jaw, her entire face “badly cut and lacerated,” one broken finger, and “her body a mass of bruises.” “The physician worked long and faithfully for the relief of the suffering woman and everything that could was done.” By mid-afternoon on the 10th, the report was that Mrs. Willand’s condition was much improved.

At about the same time, the preliminary hearing was underway. The headline later that day: “Slayer of Superintendent Willand in Court without Counsel or Friends.” Attorney General James P. Tuttle, County Solicitor Albert P. Sherry and Sheriff Young were all present. Inquiry was made of the defendant by Judge Nason regarding the appointment of an attorney. “The prisoner shook his head and promptly told Judge Nason that he did not care for any counsel.”

The news coverage offered a very dramatic rendition of the proceedings: “With bowed head and an expression of remorse which is indescribable,” Merchant entered a plea of guilty to a charge of second-degree murder. “Instead of the usual inquisitive and liberal attendance at the court room which is characteristic of most cases of more than passing importance there were but a handful of spectators … and there was no attempt to offer a friendly whisper.” Friends, even relatives, “had not shown sufficient interest to come forward.” “The manner in which Merchant said ‘guilty’ and tried to bear up under the strain was a manifestation of sincere regret and hearty sorrow within the bosom of the unfortunate.” Merchant was ordered confined without bail pending the action of the September term of the Superior Court. “The general opinion is that when Merchant recovers from the shock of the tragedy, he will secure counsel and retract his plea in Superior Court and then put up a plea of self-defense.”

(to be continued)