Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1873-06-19
General News.
Awful Tragedy.
THE MURDERER FIRES THE HoUsE.-suP-
POSED MURDERER UNDER ARREST.

Especial dispatch TO the Lewiston Journal
BrRNHAM, June 10th. 1873
One of the most bloody crimes in crimi-
nal annals. occurred at 1horndikc. a town
in waldo County. early Monday morning,
the particulars of which. SO far as obtaina-
Bile at this moment. are as follows =
Almon Gordon and his brother, True
Gordon, who reside In 'rhorndike, have
had some trouble. IL Is said, respecting
the division of an estate which had fallen
TO them, aud True seems to have felt that
his brother, Almon, had the lions share.
True accordingly Is said 10 have deter
mined to avenge himself, and it is believed
that he proceeded to do so in the most
fiendish and terrible manner. At B o'clock
Monday morning, the human devil armed
with an axe, crept into the room of Almon.
and struck Almon and his wife on the
head, crushing the skulls of both in most
shocking manner. They must have died
Instantly.
The fend then turned his attention to n
child sleeping peacefully in an adjoining
room. sending the innocent life into
eternity with one blow of his weapon rcck-
Ing with tine blood of its parents.
The murderer not yet satisfied with his
bloody work, then attempted to murder
another child. but. though not his intent.
did not succeed In accomplishing the deed.
The wretch then thought to obliteTatc
the nights work by setting tire io the
house, and thus removing all trace of the
deed. He accordingly touched light
match 20 the bed and lied.
The noise which he had made In his muir
dcrous work. however, awoke another &C
cnpant of the house, hired man. who i'm
mediately called the ncighbors and rescu-
Il ~. Il. 4 - a
The murderer led. but was soon arrest
ed and Is now in custody. lie is n single
man.
The aged parents of the murdered man
resided with Almon. but were absent from
home at the time--and the murderer proba-
bly, seized upon their absence as his oppor-
tuniiy.
Great excitement exists In Thorndlke
over the triple tragedy. and public indlg-
nation against the murderer Is very in
tense. VIII forward further particulars as
soon as received.
The bodies were removed from the burn
ing building by the bravery OF Ashbury
Harmon. NJ great risk of his lite, but not
without severe burns.
All is excitement, and great care has to
be exercised 10 save the supposed murderer
from lynching.
The child murdered was an infant The
other child upon whom murierous blow
-sss7 iIaf ictcd. hint h., -siti r--tatI,- $500
CT. is a little boy, four years old.
The scene beggars description. The
bodies are horribly mangled.
sight so slckening and heart-rcnding
no tongue or pen can describe.
The murdered man is 4 iarmer-all OF
the victims were murdered ia one bed
The other child slept in crib In the same
room. and is feariully wounded.
The bloody axe with which the deed was
done, was found near by.
The alleged murderer, young brother
OF Mr.. Gordon, is perfectly calm and mani
tests no anxiety.
The agony ofthe father and brother OF
Mr.. Gordon. Is described IS heartrending
\ coroner's inquest is being held this
afternoon, when more facts will be deyel-
opcd.