The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-02-10
THE BANGOR MURDERER CoNfEssEs.

Lawrence, who is now III JAIL IN Bangor,
awaiting his trial for shooting Mrs Atwood,
his paramour, has explained to reporter his
motives in committing the crime. He says
that he was very much attached to Mrs. At
wood, and that she reciprocated his affection
till a short time ago, They were to be mar
red as soon as the woman could obtain di-
vorce from her husband. Some time since
Lawrence heard that she had formed other
acquaintance and saw that she grew cold
toward HIM Her new associates wore better
clothes than he. and she was reported as say
ing that she ''did not like his style" Law
renee says
"After | had treated her so well and we
had been together so long, | thought it was
con founded hard for her to go back on me in
that way; and l made up my mind that if l
couldn't have her, nobody else should"
| eporter-'When did you make up your
mind to commit the horrid deed?"
Lawrence-"I had pondered over it for
some time, but did not fully determine on it
till Sunday afternoon, few hours before l
shot her.
Reporter-'.It is reported and generally
believed that you were drunk, OF at least I'M
der the influence of liquor, when YOU COM
mitted the homicide. But saw you on the
street Saturday and Sunday before the muir
der; you were well dressed and did not ap-
pear to me to be at all excited by liquor"
Lawrence-"That is the fact. Liquor. had
nothing to do with the immediate execution
of the crime. The, demons Of jealousy and
revenge had taken possession of me-"
| Reporter Was there any one present IN
the room when you committed the deed?"
| Lawrence ''When went into the room
saw no one but an old lady. As l entered
thou ght l heard some one run into the bed
room. Iasked the old lady where Elmira
| (Mrs. Atwood's christian name)Was. She said
that she had gone out didn't believe it. and
went to the bedroom door, opened it, and
found Elmira there
Reporter-''But you didn't shoot her in
that defcnceless condtion?'
| Lawrence-''Yes; | drew my pistol after
asking her to speak to me, and fired. She
screamed and begged for mercy
Reporter-s'Mrs Atwood said, the day be-
fore she died, that she struggled with you,
after you fired the. first shot, and that she got
the wound in her hand from having hold of
the muzzle Of the pistol when you discharged
the second shot. She also stated that she
sDatched the weapon from your hand--that
it fell on the floor. but that you got possession
of it'again before she could secure it,
Lawrence-'.That is pretty near the truth
She fought we'll for life, but could not save
herself"
Reporter Where was the odd lady that
you spoke Of"
Lawrence II don't know. | think she
fed out of the house. rs | didn't see her after
ward"
Reporter Where did you 60 when You
left the house ?"
Lawrence-"I went right to my room on
Main street"
Reporter-"Did you intend to take your
own life at the time you made up Your mind
to kill your victim? p
Lawrence-.'I did | reserved one shot in
the pistol especially for that purpose. But
when placed it at my head and snapped it.
it didn't go off, and looked to see what the
matter was, and found there was no cap on
it."
Reporter-'You then determined to cut
your throat ?'
Lawrence-'Yes Elmira made me :; pres
ent of small pocket knife about year ago
took that and cut my throat. | intended
to make a sure thing of it, and only regret
that didn't succeed
On abiding to the probable consequences
of his crime to him, Lawrence replied The
more is the pity that | had not made sure
work of it with the knife
Notwithstanding this full confession, Law
renee has pleaded mot guilty" at his arragn-
ment before the Police Court, He has been
committed to jail for trial at the February