Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1847-10-21
THE AWFUL MURDER IN
MAINE,

i he dreadful murder and robbery of Mr.. Ed
ward Matthews, has been cause for the most in
tense excitement in Maine, and we have gather
ed the following details in referencet 10 this pain
fu.affair, from the Maine papers 1t appears that
during the early part of last week. the deceased
made application to Mr. Soulc, of Clinton, TO
sign note with him for 81 800, payable to the
Tlconic Bank, ard when asked what he intend
ed doing with the money, replied that it was for
a young friend in Waterville, but declined Civ
ing his name. Mr. $ declined having any thing
to do with the transaction. Matthews then made
application TO his uncle TO sign with him, but re-
ceived for answer that unless he was informed
what use was to be made of the money he would
have nothing to do with the matter. Matthews
informed him that it was for DrCoolidge, who had
received letter from DR. Potter, who is now in
Cincinnati, stating that if lie would send him
$500 or $4,000 lie could invest it where he
would soon realize $4,000; that Coolidge was to
give bonus Of $500 for the use of it ten days,
and give him bill of sale of his books and ac-
counts us collateral security.
Under these representations his uncle and
cousin were induced TO sign the note Matthews
drew the money from the Bank on Thursday,
and informed his cousin that he had made an p
pointment to meet Coolidge in the evening and
pay the money over to him. On Thursday even
ing Matthews attended party of young people
at DORIS tavern, and during the early part Of the
evening DIR Coolidge came into the room, looked
round few minutes and then retired. Soon af-
ter the DIR went out, Matthew's cousin, who sign
ed the note with him. reminded him of his en-
gagement with DIR c, who replied, 40 yes,
must attend to that" and excused himself 10 the
company, saying that he would return agun in
half an hour. lie was next seen in conversation
with two men, who proved to be students of the
College, upon the side walk Nothing more was
seen of him that night The next morning he
was found dead, upon pile of wood in Mr. Doc
lltte's cellar, with three contGsloDs upon his
head, one Of which fractured the skull. His
money and gold watch were gone. Early on
Friday morning DR. Coolidge received a call to
visit patient in Clinton, and from Clinton he
came TO Skowhegun, and did not return to Wa
terville until 10 or / O'clock, A M. On his re-
turn he was informed of Mr. Matthew's death, at
which he expressed some surprise, and stated
that he had loaned HIM, (Niathews) $500 on the
previous evening.
A jury of inquest was called, and a post NOR
TEN examination was made OF the stomach o. the
deceased, which was found to contain a large
quantity of brandy and some poisonous ingred-
emit sufficient, II Is said, to have caused death.
Suspicious were aroused against DIR Coolidge,
and he was placed under keepers on Saturday,
and the jury have continued their investigation
up to the time ofwrtlng this article. A thorough
search was Instituted 10 recover the money and
watch OF the deceased, and on Monday portion
of the money was found secreted behind board
in shed belonging to Williams tavera; and the
watch was found secreted under the cushion o!
DR. Coolidge's sleigh, which was slowed away IN
the chamber of shed. The watch, II Is SAID,
was done mp in several lhicknesses oil paper,
similar IN appearance to paper made use OF by
DR. Coolidge to do up medicine IN The search
for the remainder of the money Will be contlnu'
ed, but at present, these are all the particulars
that we have been able to obtain. Appearances,
it must be confessed, are strongly against Dr.