The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-04-12

on the beach at the mouth of the Saco river
last week, . full description Of which was Civ
en- to the PRRss by a correspondent-has evil
IDENTIFY developed into the disclosure of an in
cident of crime and folly unusual in this sec
ton. The facts, 30 far as they have been as
certained, have created most painful sensa-
ton in the cities Of Saco and Biddeford. The
body has been identified as that Of Mary Nc
Carly of Boston, who had been living in that
city with one Henry L.. Joy, q native of Saco,
who was born near the spot where the tragedy
occurred, and where his legitimate wife and
family now reside. On the 2lst Of March Joy
and the woman McCarty came in the train
from Boston, and leaving their trunks at Bid
deford proceeded to Saco and took room at
the Saco House. The man had their names
registered as E. g. Gosh and lady, of Boston,
and the conduct of the pair while at the house
was SO singular as to excite some notice. They
remained closely secluded in their room for
twenty-four hours, having their meals sent to
them. The next afternoon a carriage and driv-
err was obtained and they were taken over to
Biddeford and down on the right bank of the
river to point about five miles below the city,
where they were left at joys request, at spot
where the road is shut in by trees, out of sight
of any dwelling, and the carriage returned.
Tney were eeen afterwards lettering in the vi
cinity by some boys who identified the man a.
Henry joy. This is the last that has ever been
seen OF him. The next morning bundle
wrapped in an overcoat was found on the step
Of Mrs. joys house, which on being opened,
was found to contain joys pocket-book with
$575 in it, his account book, watch and chain,
bunch Of keys, two railroad checks for bag
ter written in pencil on leaf of the account
book stating that be had concluded to leave
this world, aud that it would be of no use to
look for him. and directing his wife to present
the checks at the Bidaeford depot for two
trunks, one of which belonged to him and the
other to Mary McCarty. The latter he direct
ed to be sent to John McCarty, care of Hail
Brothers, Chelsea, Mass The trunks were
taken to Mrs joys, and Mary McCarty's was
found filed with fine clothing, and after eight
joys direction. On "Wednesday, April 9th,
the body of Mary McCarty was found and iden-
titled. There were no marke of violence upon
her person. The medical examination showed
pregnant at the time OF her death. The opin-
ion of the physicians was that the body had
been in the water about ten days, more or less.
and that the woman came to her death by
drowning. though there is possibility to be
determined by analysis of the stomach, that
she may have been drugRed and then thrown
into the water, the latter theory Oeing strength
ened by the fact that while at the Saco House
she was sick and y0mited, and bottle contain.
ing small amount of whiskey was found in
the field between Henry joys house and
steep bluff over which vigorous push would
have sent her at flood tide straight into dep
water, past all help and out of mortal bearing,
The tide was at the food on the night Of March
"a. at midnight; A letter from Joy was found
in his trunk, which must have been written
before he left Boston, in which he confesses to
his vile criminal intimacy with another wo-
man, and declared his intention of expating
bis sin by leaving world in which he was not
fit to live. His body has not been found though
the river has been dragged. His felt hat has
been discovered on an island near the mouth
of the river, but it is remembered that he had
also Scotch cap at the hotel, and it is remark
ed that heavy gold or gilt chain worn by Mary
McCarty was not found with the body there
were no rings on her fingers, and there was
nothing whatever, not even thimble, in her
pockets.
Joy is mason by trade, who about twenty
years ago married his brothers widow. older
than himself, and had by her four children, the
Oldest OF whom is about l8 years of age. Dur
ing nearly the whole period of his married life
he has worked in Boston, earning good wages,
but spending them himself and contributing
very moderately to the support of his family,
which indeed he has only seen at rare inter
walls. Before leaving Boston, Joy, who for the
last year has been doing good business as
partner in the firm of Kelly & Joy, masons and
builders, drew from the bank about $500. BY
what artifice he persuaded his mistress to come
to Saco, and to the very door of the house
where his wife lived it is impossible to conjec-
ture. The most reasonable opinion, where
everything seems irrational, is that on leaving
Boston she did not expect 20 visit Biddeford,
Though his letter shows that he did) but was
hocussed on the road. and for the last thirty
hours OF her life did not completely realize
where she was or what she was doing. There
is even conjecture thai she was not drowned
at all, but was buried in the sand where she
was found and uncovered by the high tides
fortnight afterWard -