Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-05
NO. 1874.
THE STAMFORD INCEyDIARY.

Some weeks ago the Congregational
Church in North Stamford, Conn. was
burned, being fired by the son of the min
lister, Charles j. Peabody. The sad events
that followed closely upon the affair-the
arrest OF the youth, his release on bail,
the death of his father, Rev. Mr.. Peabody
from grief; the development of derange-
ment in young Peabody, and his commital
| to the care of his friends in Topsfeld,
Mass, have all been made known to the
readers of The Times. The Stamford Ad-
yocate OF last week reveals some further
evil work by the Inflated lad, as follows
Young Peabody escaped from the custody
of his Eastern friends and arrived in Stam-
ford on the 10 o'clock train Wednesday
evening. Walking alone and unnoticed
for seven miles, he came upon the scene
where reposed, in fancied security. those
whom his insane and distorted Imagination
regarded as his enemies. There is no
room to doubt that shortly after midnight
he proceeded to fire the out-buildiHgs OF
Deacon w. w. Davenport who was
awakened by the light of his burn
ing property. Rushing out of doors
he found the cattle she'd on the east
side of the series Of out-buildings
in flames. The wind fortunately
blew toward the east, and Mr.. Davenport
had time to alarm his neighbors, and with
thier help to save about 81, 600 worth of
property of various kinds, stored in the
buildings. Nearly twelve tons of hay,
however-all this years scanty crop-to-
gether with the entire series of out-build-
ings, were destroyed. The total loss
amounts TO about 81. 600; insured for $1,-
900 in the Hartford Mutual and for 800 in
the Middlesex Mutual. |
A messenger was dispatched on horse
back to watch the "owl" train. SO as to in
tercept the escape of the supposed incen-
diary. This messenger had gone but
mile or so when he saw the sky illumina-
ted by another fire. Turning his horse, he
rode rapidly back to spread the alarm, not
knowing where the work of destruction
was to cease Meanwhile Mr.. Alvin
Weed, residing about a mile to the south
west of The fire which broke out, aroused
by the alarm which by this time had
spread over the whole section, started
from his house and discovered, in the dim
light, boy crossing into his barn-yard.
Mr.. Weed collared the culprit, who PROV
ed to be none other than Charlie Peabody.
Mr.. Weed made known the discovery to
his neighbors, and soon acrowd of excit-
ed men gathered around the unhappy
youth. The prisoner was firmly secured
and taken down to the village for trial in
the morning. The second fire proved to
be the barn Of William b. Weed, which,
together with twenty-five tons of hay and
other valuable contents, was entirely de.
stroyed.
Young Peabody was brought before
Justice Adams at 10 O'Clock Thursday,
charged with arson. The most striking
evidence elected, other than the facts in
dicated in the above report, was the fol-
lowing document, together with quanti-
ty of matches, found upon the person of
the prisoner at the time of his arrest
Revengei
Ny fathers death avenged a
By his zen.
His vile murderers Ruined
Another "sad story" for the Advocate, with no
"Indan stones" in it or .'Rakesn
I've come to North Stamford at last, and leave my
best respects to that interesting people, hoping 70
have their love and respect and also that they
may think more of me than ever before
Yours with respect, 83
c. II, j. PEABODY.
He stands committed for trial, but if the
fires are clearly traced to him, it is equal
ly apparent that the youth is insane
While in the lock up after the trial, he
was seized with convnlsive fit, from
which, however, he soon rallied under
the treatment of Drs Burch and Trow-
| bridge"