Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-01-25
Particulars of the Terrible TRAGEDY a
Auburu Maine


The Lewiston Journal of Monday contains
the following additional particulars of the
shocking tragedy IN the village Of West
Auburn, Maine, last week, in which The ylc-
tins were Mrs. Susannah Kinsley a yvidovv
aged about 81 years, and Miss Polly CaswelL
maiden lady aged about67 years, who resided
together alone IN a cottage.
On the floor, lying across the door-stoo OF
an open door leading into a small entry sepa-
rating the sitting room from a sleeping apart
ment, was stretched the lfeless body of Polly
Caswell-her head ana shoulders in the entry
and her body and lower limbs In the sittiug
room. The body was partially covered with a
night dress, and on proceeding 10 take hold of
II. IL was found frozen stiffiy, and giving evil
dence OF having been in that condition TOR
some days. broken chair, covered with
blood, lay near, anordIng evidence in itseI I
of Miss r..
Hardly had this terrible scene been realized
before another still more terrible met their
gaze. In the bed in a small bed room ten tsst
square, adjoining the sitting room and con-
neeted with 1t by a door-which was open
was the lfeless and CHASTITY body of the widow
kinsley, also frozen stiff, and lying with her
night clothes on, in pool of CONCEALED blood
The bed-clothes were matted with blood tn
quilt and feather tick torn, and feathers were
scattered aosut, and everything indicated that
aterrible struggle had taken place, Mrs Kins-
lev being large and powerful woman
The body Of Mrs. Kinsley was horribly cut
and mangled. The jugular vein was severed
by deep cash on the side of the throat There
were also cuts on the left Jaw bone and on the
lett forehead; cash nearly six inches in
length on the left leg, and severe bruises on
the left shoulder, not to mention many minor
cuts and bruises. Theimmediate cause of her
death was the seyering OF the jugular vein
Appearances indicate that the murderer or
murderers had attacked widow X. in her bed,
from which she had not risen.
Miss Caswell had received severe blows on
ner head and face, (probably by the chair, her
skull was fractured. her left wrist broken ner
waist and left shoulder bruised. There was
also bruise over her right eve, cut on her
left arm above the elbow, and q cut on ner left
knuckles. The immediate cause Of her death
was probably fracture on ner skull, althou eh
1t is possible that this might only have nro-
dueed insensibility, and that freezing did the
rest. '
Blood was found BY the side OF the stove in
the sitting room, near the mantelpiec ce, indicat-
and pursued towards the door to the entry
opening into her room, where she was stricken
down. The supposition is that Miss c., who
slept In room in another part Of the house,
was awakened by the noise Of the struggle in
widow kinsleys g room, and was reaching 70 the
mantel piece for lamp and match 70 light II.
when she was struck BY the villain who eroba-
bly, had completed bis work with Mrs X y with,
chair. Miss Q. not being rendered sen seless
by the blow, probably. attempted TO fee to her
cutting her until she fell in the doorway. Her
wrist was undoubtedly broken In attempting 10
ward on the blows of the chair.
A move horrible scene than was presented
cannot be imagined. The bodies, cut, bruised
and maneled in almos: every part, covered
with blood, the hair dishe yeled and bloody the
painful expression Of the countenances indi-
eating, even in death, the fearful struggle for
life, and then the bodies and limbs frozen stif
all made up a scene from which we re-
coiled, even on the succeeding day, when
some of the evidences Of the struggle had
been removed.