Daily Kennebec journal., 1870-09-21
local ann State Mems.
Particulars of the Horrible Murder In
HaIlOWeIl,

nounced a horrible murder in IIallowel Mon
day evening.
Mr. John b. Latin, barber by occupation,
an old resident and man of good repute, was
brutaly murdered by one Edward III. Hoswell,
between the hours of and o'clock. The
implement used was a large jack knife, the
principal blade of which had evidently been
sharpencd with much care. The murderer
also made desperate attempt to take the life
of his wife, Jane L. IIoswell, formerly Jane
l.. Norton, of Carmel, who was married to
Hoswel at Lawrence, Mass, years ago.
1t seems that Hoswell and his wife have
not lived happily together for long time
A few months ago violent quarrel arose be-
tween the husband and wife, which was adju-
dcated by the Municipal Court Of Hallowell,
since which time they have not lived together
as husband and wife. Hoswell has been en-
ployed by the Portland & Kennebec Railroad
Company in their paint shop in this city, and
since the quarrel above mentioned has board
ed in Augusta, his wife continuing to keep
house at IIallowell and ostensibly carrying
on the dress-making business. Although not
living together, it seems that Hoswell has oc-
casonaly visited his wife, and sought to re-
new the old lovc-desirous of letting byegones
be bygones But she has persistently re-
pulsed his every advance toward Il reconcilia-
ton. She planned 40 visit the home OF her
mother in Carmel a week ago Monday, and
her husband volunteered to procure her pass
over the railroad, if she would promise to re-
turn by Wednesday or Thursday. She was
looked for in vain ty her hui, band, however,
until Monday last, when he for the fifth time
went to the depot in Augusta on the arrival of
the up-river train, and saw her on her return
at last He enquired the reason of her long
stay but the answer was evadcd. lie told her
he would be at Hallowell for the purpose of
meeting her Tuesday (meaning }ast) evening.
The alleged cause of the estrangement is
and intense jealousy on the part Of the hus-
band. Perhaps both charges are just.
The tenement occupied by Mrs. loswell is
in the house at the corner of Water street and
Perley's lane and adjoining the building used
by Mr. Latin for barber shop. The shop
Hoswelrs tenement is from a back yard adj
Joining that of Mr.. Lafiins, and separated by
fence with an ever open gateway. The exit
from these back yards is into Perley's lane
From Mr. Laflin's back door to the door OF
Mrs Hoswells tenement is a distance OF only
about three rods. Mr.. Latin, it seems has
been consulted at times by both Hoswell and
his wife relative to an arbitration Of their diff
ferences and wrongs. Since the separation
of the husband and wife, Mr.. Latin is spoken
of as having befriended Mrs. Ioswell. lie
occasionally left his shop through the back
entrance, and did so on the night of the muir
der.
Mr.. Laflin's employee, James +. knight,
left the shop at about o'clock, Mr.. Latin at
that time being engaged in waiting upon GUS
TONERS. At about quarter-past 8 o'clock the
last customer had left the shop, and Mr.. Laf-
lin started for home, taking with him roll of
carpeting which he had purchased during the
preceding afternoon. He passed from his
shop through the back entrance, and stopping
at the door of Mrs. Hoswell, said he wished
to show her the carpet which he had purchas-
cd She was nearly ready to retire for the
night, but, slipping on wrapper, opened the
door, and viewed the purchase. While stand
ing in the doorway the husband of the woman
rushed from a hiding place behind corner of
neighboring building, and first stabbing Mr..
Latin in the breast, then assaulted turiously
his wife inficting many wounds, but none OF
them fatal She ferfded the murderer's on
slaughts entirely with her hands which were
fearfuly mangled he lunged repeatedly at
her throat and her face. head and neck were
gashed time and again; he finally caught her
by her wrapper. from which She adroitiy slip
ped and escaped into another room, closing
the door after her.
The desperate fend then pursued Mr.. Laf-
lin, who rctreated to the door of his shop,
and with what must have been tremendous
blow or thrust, cut an awful cash in the throat
of his victim below and somewhat in front OF
the left ear, from which death ensued in
few moments. The carotid arteries and jug
ular vein were severed and the windpipe pen
etrated the fatal cash was nearly four inches
in length; there was also a cash below the
fatal one, also a slight cut on the upper lip )
and stab in the chest, penetrating the ster-
mum and two inches Observation-Disclosures the
lungs.
An elaborate post mortem examination was
made by Dr. Brickett of Augusta and Drs.
Cole, Nutting and iawes, of Hallowell.
The murdered man never spoke after the
death thrust was given. Mr.. Knight Glanced
providentially to be in the barbershop at the
moment the horrible deed was committed, and
raising the alarm, the fiend was almost in
stanty secured. He said, viewing his mang-
led and lifeless victim :'Damn him I've
been watching him for long time; now I've
got him fixed. I've some more OF the same
work to do"
The city was thrown into state OF intense
excitement. The wounds of Mrs. Hosweil