Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-05-06
THE Il YNCHLNG IN AROOSTOOK.

We have received an extra from the office
of the Presque Isle Sunrise, giving the par
ticulars of the murder committed by Cullen,
and his capture and lynching. 1t contains no
facts of any Importance in relation to the
murder additional to what have appeared in
our columns. The following in relation to
the capture and lynching of the murderer,
and the character of himself and victims. as
well as the feeling in relation to the deed
will be read with interest:
Cullen was found about 10 clock in the
forenoon, in the cellar of Samuel William
sons house in Castle Hill, at which place is
his wife and child. He was brought to Balls
Mill, where he made ull confession of all he
had done, and said rep eatedly "He was glad
that he had done So" About 8 o'clock in the
evening, what could be fou nd of the remains
were brought to the mill village, and Cullen,
in view of what he had done, said, ''He was
glad he had killed those he had, and would
kill Swanback and Bird if he could"
The people had become terribly exaspera-
ted with him. About 10 o'clock B. j. Hughes,
Constable of Mapleton, who had Cullen in
his keeping with guard of six men, among
whom were DR.. Parker and James Phair of
this village, started for this place with the
prisoner. About one mile this side Of the
mill and seven miles from this village. they
were suddenly surrounded, as DR.. Parker
Judges, by seventy-five men in disguise, who
seized and held Mr.. Hughes, also the Doctor
and others Of the guard, and seized Cullen,
and dragged him out of the wagon and a very
short distance into the woods, and hung him
to a tree. DR.. Parker says it was all the
work Of very few minutes, could any
one tell who were the perpetrators. A cir
ola formed around hin, CD that M
could approach him until he was dead, when
he was put in box and brought to this viii
lage.
This terrible tragedy which in all its hor-
rors was never equaled probably in New En-
gland, has cast gloom over our village and
town, never before known. Mr.. Hayden was
one of our best citizens, who has lived in this
town from his childhood, universally respect
cd and beloved. He leaves a wife and child,
| father, mother, and numerous other relatives
| here. He was of the firm of Hayden & Pratt,
| merchants, had been for years a Deputy Sher-
| if, faithful and true in all relations of life,
| and we could hardly lose more valued citi-
zen. His age was sc years.
Mr.. Hubbard was recently from ST. Adams
in Somerset county. He had taken up land
in Chapman, for the purpose of making a farm
and was known to many of our citizens as a
very worthy young man. We hear that he
|
His age was about 20 years.
t Cullen, who was twenty seven years Of age,
was from New Brunswick, and belongs to a
family of rough and hard men. 1t is said his
reputation was very bad in the Province, and
that he came here because he could not in
safety remain there. He has been in the vi
cinity of the place where he committed the
crime, some two years. Those who knew him
best say he was regarded by them as reck-
Ipcs a nd dane may bn lna
less about him regarded him as quiet and in
offensive. Probably Mr.. Hayden had no idea
of his reckless character, or he would not have
afforded him the oppc rtuniy to commit the
dreadful deed.
| We cannot close our account of the terri.
| BILE tragedy without putting on record our
| earnest condemnation of the summary ven
| geance which has been inflicted upon Cullen
| For him personally we care not straw. We
share in the deep grief of our whole commu-
nifty over the death Of the worthy and good.
| We sympathize as deeply as any one can with
| the family and friends of our murdered neigh
Dor and townsman. But nothing can Justify
or excuse any person becoming of the
mob for the purpose Of taking the life of an.
other in cold blood, however valueess or
dangerous that life may be.
| Amidst the oppressive sorrow under which
we write we have ray of pleasure in saying
that no citizen of Pressure Isle is suspected of
being party of that mob. 1t was done seven
miles from this village. Who they were, we
have not the remotest idea, and personally
| we wish never to know. But we hope that
when this excitement shall be allayed, and
mems minds shall become capable of sober
reflection, that our Sheriff, County Attorney,
| Attorney General and Courts will vindicate
| the laws of our State, and teach lawless men
Of erery class that they cannot take human
life with impunity!