Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-24
MASSACHUSETTS.
Shocking Tragedy in Lowell.
Murder and Suicide.

Lowell March 90. A shocking horror was per-
petrated about o'clock this afternoon at board
ing house No. 5, Broadway. Four weeks ago last
Friday young woman applied to and told the
lady of the house that her husband, DR.. &. w.
Martindale had engaged her to do homework.
She gave her name as Sarah Low, aged 20 years,
recently from New York, where she claimed to
have husband living. Later this supposed hus-
band appeared at the same place, but only made
calls, not taking up his abode with her. 1t ap-
peared from the woman's statement that her life
was not pleasant or indeed endurable and she had
fled from the man. There was not witnessed any
difficulty, but reserve and dislike on the woman's
part. The mans christian name was Charles, 30
years old.
About a quarter past three this afternoon
Charles called. He was shown into the kitchen
which is near the head of the stairs on the second
story. On the first fig ht is BARRIERS shop ON one
hand and q saloon on the other both connected by
narrow doors with the front entry of Martindale's
house. Low and his wife conversea in the kitchen
in the presence of Mrs. Martindale.. He said he
was going back to New York, and would like to
have her accompany HIM, but she declined. Short
ly before four o'clock he rose and said he would
like to see her in private moment before he lett
She replied that there no fire in the sitting
room, and it was more comfortable where they
were, but she at length complied with his request
Not more than three minutes later Mrs. Martin
dale heard pistol shot. She started at once for
the door which opened into the same entry as did
the sitting room, but before she coald open the
door another shot was fired and Mrs. Low pushed
the door violently into Mrs. Martindale's face,
crying, "Oh my God, he has shot me-" The blood
was streaming from her head, and covered Mrs.
Martndale's arms. The latter in her fright then
closed the door again, and the wounded woman
turned and walked down stairs into William Pow
crs' barber shop. Henry Chartwood and Mr..
Pc gers caught her as she was falling, and the
latter ran for DR.. Plunkett and for the officers.
The surgeon soon arrived and probed the
wound, finding that the ball had pierced the
skull behind the left car. He could not reach it
and she will doubtless die. In the meantime
another shot had been fired. This time the muir
derer had taken his own life. Standing in the
entry, as his wife went down stairs he placed re-
volver to his left temple and shot and killed him
self almost instantly The carpets and furniture
were drenched with blood. Examination shows
that the first shot missed the unfortunate woman,
the ball passing through window into the street
He shot again. the bali taking effect behind her
head. The body of the dead man was taken to
Coroner Brooks. His parents in \. y. were tel
place where the bloody deed occurred. Coroner
Fuller has summoned jury and will hold an in
quest.
Water Works.
Lawrence, March %. On the report of the wa
ter works investigation committee, i. was voted
tonight in the city council, to lay the same on the
table for a week.
The Spelling Match.
Boston, March %. Music Hall was crowded to
its utmost capacity to- night to witness a novel
contest between fifty boys selected from the high
er schools of the city and fifty editors, reporters
proof readers and typos selected from various
The contest was spirited throughout and finally
narrowed down to one upon each side, when the
typo mis- spelled comfortably" and the match
was awarded to the boys.