Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-07-20
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TO THE
daily Kennebee yonrnal.
BANGOR.
Particulars of the Midway
Murder.
THE MURDERER 80 YEARS OLD
THE VICTIM 81.
He Nearly Sewers her Head with
an Axe.
INSANITY OR JEALOUSY ATTRIBUTED
AS THE CAUSE.
INSANITY OR JEALOUSY ATTRIBU TED
AS THE CAUSE.
III Murderer Arrested and Lodged in
Bangor Jail.

Bangor, July 10. Between 8 o'clock Saturday
night, and daylight, Sunday morning, most hor-
ribe murder was committed in the town of Med
way. man named VIM, Pangburn, aged 50
years, killed his wife, 81 years old, nearly sever
ing her head from her body with an an axe as she
lay asleep in bed. The execution of the deed
caused no noise, and others sleeping in the next
room were undisturbed by any movement or out
cry.
Pangburn made no attempt to escape, and at
daylight was found sitting in the doorway, and
made no resistance.
He directed the attention Of the people IN the
house to the room where his wife lay dead, and it
was not till three or four hours had elapsed that
he was taken in custody, having remained about
the place the whole time, seeming hardly to APP
preciate what had occurred This morning pre-
lminary examination took place, resulting in his
being fully committed for trial at the August
term, and on the evenings train he was brought
to Jail in this city.
The material evidence elected at the examins-
ton showed that he frequently quarrellod with his
wife, that he had recently threatened her, and that
she had told her sister, with whom they were
boarding, Mrs. Jones, that she was afraid Of her
| life.
| In an interview with Wing and Courier re-
porter this evening, Pangburn talked freely Of the
affair. He said that he and his wife retired at
o'clock Saturday night, and for some time were
talking pleasantly together of a house which he
had rented, and into which they were to move
very shortly. The next thing he remembers is
that he was sitting ON the front edge of the bed,
| tn no hac cir Ha bas
no idea whether he had been there half an hour
or three hours, and as he gradually came to him.
self by the light of the moon, he discovered an
axe lying on the floor by the side of the bed and
wondered how it came there. Next he noticed
how pale his wife was, her face being turned to-
wards him. He went up to her and put his hand
on her head, and found it was cold He did not
notice any blood, and picking up the axe carried
it out Of the room.
When Mr.. Jones got up to knde the fire, short
ly after, Pangburn sent him into the room where
the body of his wife was lying. The head was
nearly severed from the body. having been struck
at the base of the brain, and he says he must
have thought he was fighting some wild beast to
strike such blow. He says he does not think
any one else could have done it, but has no rec
objection of participation in the tragedy, for which
he expresses the greatest sorrow, saying he would
not have had it happen for the whole world. The
murdered woman was his second wife, by whom
he had nine children, six of whom are now liv-
ing. lie formerly iived in Monquart parish OF
Kent, New Brunswick, but for the last two years
has been in Medway and Winn Since last March
he has been at his old home, where he had some
propertv and had some business TO SETTLE and he
only returned to Midway last Friday. He says
that his wife was good woman, that they never
had any serious trouble, and that he loved her.
While Jealousy is assigned as the cause by hi:
family connections and neghbors, the attendant
circumstances are of such peculiar character q.
to strongly suggest insanity. Papgburn is q mar
of good height, has nearly white hair and face
that is not unprepossessing, while in general ap
pearance he would readily pass for man ten o.
twe.vs years Younger than his actual age.