Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-13
THE CHARLESTO WN TRAGEDY

Additional particulars Of the bloody tragedy
at Charlestown, Mass. by George L. kimball
are published;
The Inflated family kept a boarding house
at the corner of Park and Common streets,
and from the surrounding circumstances it is
judged that the murders were committed some
time after midnight II seems that Mr. Kim
was his custom, proceeded up stairs about six
o'clock to arouse the boarders. Up TO this
time no noise had been heard in the house,
and persons who must have been passing
while the terrible deeds were being commit
ted, neither heard nor saw anything to attract
their attention. few minutes later two of
the boarders went down together, and as they
stopped at the door Of the parlor, they dis
covered Mr.. Kimball standing in the sitting
room beyond, off of which his chamber open
ed, in his night dress and with terrible cash
in his throat, from which the blood was stream
ing, while in his hand he held an open razor.
Mr.. kimbal, on seeinglhis boarders motion
ed to them with the razor to keep back, and
not caring to attempt to disarm him, they
ran speedily out into the street to summon
the police. In short time officers Green,
Webb and Pearsons were found, and the five
quickly returned 20 the house. On entering
the sitting room horrible sight met their
gaze. Upon the floor, in pool of blool, lay
the unfortunate man. He WIS not dead, for
as officer Pearson stepped up to him he at
tempted to get up, at he same time exclaim-
ing 'D-n you, get out of here, or will cut
you too" He then fen back weak from the
loss of blood. Officers Pearson and Webb at
tempted to staunch the flow of blood, but
ieIt he nf ha fhr,a f,,te Nult ha nyaI
fatal, and in five minutes after the officers
arrived he was dead.
On entering the sitting room the officers no
| ticed that Mrs. Kmball was still in bed, ap
parently asleep, but upon investigation she
was found to be dead. There were no marks
about her person to show in what manner she
had been murdered, except slighsdis colora-
alton about the throat. From this it is sup
posed that she was strangled to death.
The body lay in a natural position, with
the hands crossed upon the breast, and the
orderly appearance of the bed clothes showed
that the murderer sprang upon her while she
was in sound sleep, and that she died with
scarcely a struggle. A handkerchief, covered
with blood sains, was found by tie bed side,
which had evidently been used to gag her and
prevent her outcries.
Search was then made for the daughter,
young woman of about II years, and on open
ing the door to her bedroom, very small
apartment opening out of the parlor, another
horrible sight met the officers gaze, which
caused the stoutest heart among them to quail.
The body of the girl was found lying across
the bed with her throat cut from ear to ear,
the head being nearly severed from the body.
From the appearance of the bed it is thought
that she was awakened before the deed was
accomplished, and struggled 10 save her lie,
but without avail.
Notes found by the police give a clue to the
whole affair. The following is copy OF the
most important note, which was written upon
piece Of letter paper and unstaned by
blood:
"This troubel was all don by Rindy for tel
ing Her Something's that was not true and my
wife kept scOlding every time that was near
her and to night when We Went to Bed She
began again and finely my temper got the
best of me. David nows all about the troubel.
was out thare short time ago and told him
Kinda is at the bottom of all this
GEORGE U. KIMBALL"
From the above it appears that after retir-
ing the seedlings of his wife so enraged him
that he afterwards arose, doubtless after she
had fallen asleep, and set calmly about muir
derlng both his wife and the daughter, who
seems to have been the cause of the tragedy.
Having accomplished this he writes the above
note and also the following lines to indicate
to the coroner what course to pursue in no.
tlfying his friends
Send for s. c. Kimball just over the
bridge in Everett, and for my sister, No. Isl
Chelsea street. and for her brother, David T..
S'aine, Med6eld, Mass, and for Charlie e.
k'mball, Mount Vernon Village, Me.
- ! went to work in the Navy Yard Nov. %,
1878. l want some one to get what there is
due me for work"
The Traveller says that jealousy on the
part Of the wife was doubtless the primal
cause of the murders The daughter did not
like Mr.. kimball and stirred her mother
against HIM. By Others it is thought that he
was insane. brother committed suicide
few years since.