The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-27
The MURDER At FALMOUTH, MAINE.
Details Of the killing Of George Rolfe
by n Madman-A Horrible Spectacle
Presented at the Inquest.


Presented at the Inquest.
PORTLAND, Me-, March 26.-The particulars
which have been developed upon investlga-
ton into the murder, by a raving maniac IN
the neighboring town of Falmouth, show II
to be one of the most horrible ever committed
in this section of the country. The whole
community is convulsed with excitement and
indignation, and Notwithstanding the assassin
is a lunatic from misfortune sustained by the
Portland fire, there is a manifest feeling OF re-
venge towards him on the part of many,
while all are talking in bitter terms against
those who permitted such a dangerous man
his liberty in the community.
The victim of this terrible tragedy is George
Rolfe, and the lunatic murderer is young
man named Ebenezer Williams. He is a
minor, and, previous to the confagration, was
occasionally insane; but his disease was
greatly aggravated by his pecunary losses.
After the fire he went to Falmouth and resided
with his uncle, John Williams, until several
weeks since, when, though worth some
S25, ,OOO he declared that he must economize
and make up his losses by the fire. Accord
ingly he went to live alone in an old building
or shanty. There he lived peacefully enough,
though he always kept firearms to protect
himself from robbers, as he said. Although
he had once raised his gun at his uncle, he was
not regarded as dangerous.
Tn sunday morning last the report OF gun
from the vicinity of the shanty was heard.
The neighbors conjectured that something was
wrong, but dare not 60 near for fear of being
fired upon. AT about dark Williams appeared
at his uncle's house, with the horrible state
ment that he had killed George Rolfe young
man who had been stopping with him. He was
much pleased at what he had DONE saying
that he had killed George, and that, rs lie
talked afterwards, he had cut off his hoad and
put it in a dish, but that the head was still
talking. The madman was not credited at
first, but finally parties proceeded to the old
house, where they learned that the manaC's
statement was too true.
The headless corpse of Rolfe was laid out
upon buffalo robe in the front room, arrayed
in full suit of new and clean Clothes which
Williams had evidently put upon it after cut
ting off the head, as there was no blood upon
the garments. The head was found in another
room in pail of water, the eyes open and the
lips parted, and presenting terribly CHASTITY
spectacle. Williams had evidently been busy
with the body all day, washing it, dressing it,
etc, as if to prepare it for burial.
The axe with which the head was severed
was also found, covered with blood and hair.
On examination of the body bullet hole was
found in the left breast just over the heart.
The unfortunate victim was between thirty
| five and forty years of age The insanity OF
| the murderer is hereditary, his father having
committed suicide while laboring under the
same disease. He is now under arrest and
confined in the county Jail. A Coroner's in
quest has been held, which developed the
| facts here stated.