Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-11-22
HORRIBLE CRIME AT CHrCopEE.

lFrom the Springfield Mass Republican 18th I
One of the most horrible crimes ever commit.
ted in Massachusetts, was perpetrated at Chico
pee, In this county, on Friday evening, the 5th
INST, but only came to light in all its enormity
on Sunday of this week. A little girl 8 wears
OF age was taken from her hons by man Is
old, to the river bank, under the bridge over
the connecticut river; he there consummated
MS helIish work, by killing her and throwing
the body into the river. The child was missed
at once, and it was supposed he had Joined
WIN others In kidnapping her, and for this he
was pu. IN Jaai the next day; but subsequent
Investigations developed the true enormity of
the crime that had been committed.
Inc parties to this tragedy are all French
A Desmastesu, travelling vagab nj pedlar,
Is the murderer, and the victim was Augustine
Lucas, girl Of yeafs. Augustine was born
IN New York city, where her parents French
peoPle) still reside. The father and mother
separated year and half ago, and it fell to
the mother to take tho eldest child, lad of IA
years, while the father took the aughter-the
victim IN this unhappy tragedy. The father
oeing poor, and having no accommodate ations for
nls child, took her to Chicopee and committed
ner 10 the care of Jules Lereaux, brother
Frenchman, and an old comrade Lereaux
Kept the child until August last, when he hired
us BOARD In the family of Peter Dame, another
rrenchman, paying the expenses himself, al
though receiving nothing from Lucas. Angus
1ne was large, healthy girl, considerably in
advance OF her age, both in size and general de-
Portment. VI Desmasteau but little is known
he Is rather good-looking young Frenchman,
not more than Is years old, at most.
Ii Is supposed Desmasteau took the child IN
the river bank, where, under the abutment Of
the Chioopee and West Springfield toll bridge.
ne violated her person, and completed the
crime by outright murder. The medical ex
animation of the body, eight DAYS after the
crime, and when decomposition had set in. dis.
closed the fact of personal outrage that beg
gars description. 1t is certain that even If no
other violence had been used, death wouId have
reiIsVed the little sufferer in few days.
Inc throat showed the marks of straprula-
ton, and the skull was broken BY two heayy
blows on the forehead and left temple. After
completing his work, Desmasteau either threw
the body far out into the stream, or EMPLOYED
one OF the numerous skiffs that line the shore
in taking the now lifeless corpse beyond the
limits OF shallow water, and, if possible, be-
yond the possibility Of discovery. All this oc-
Cured in the half hour between al and ?
O'Clock. At about z, Desmasteau was again at
the house of Mrs. Dame the elder, where he
met Mrs. Peter Dame, now in search of the
child. He declared he knew nothing about ths
matter, and exhibited not the least concern.
out proceeded to wash his hands and sit down
at the table. MrS. Dame, however, had sent
for Ofher Clapp, and Desmasteau was at once
arrested tor kidnapping, and on Saturday. the
9th, Judge Whitaker, of the police court
bound him over for trial.