Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-11-21
MURDER IN OXFORD COUNTY.
An unnatural Mother kills her natural child.
The Infants Skull Crushed and its
Neck Broken.
The Mother Committed to Jnil.

The people OF Oxford County were
greatly excited and shocked last week 10
learn that horrible murder had been
committed by a resident OF this law bid
ing precinct. The circumstances attend
ing the affair are Dis follows:
10 the town of Bethel, on cross-road
between the Walker's Mills and Beans
Corner. there has resided small COM
pany of more than local distinction. The
spot and some OF its inhabitants we're
long ago marked by officers sworn to ex
ecute Justice. Toward the last OF October
an unwelcome addition was made to the
community in The person OF fatherless
infant gill. Tie child's mother seemed
as much dispeased as any one, that the
laws of nature had combined TO lay
this burden in her lap. and by words, as
we'll as actions, indicated her wrath.
A short lime ago, interested ntighbors
discovered that the child was missing
A question concerning its whereabouts
was met by an Cqnivocal answer, and, Of
course, suspicious of foul play were a,
once excited.
Immediately upon hearing OF the case.
Mighill Mason, E,q., aud Coroner God
dard took The matter in hand. About
three iourths OF mile from the house,
in deep aud solitary wood, they found
new earth, marking the spot of recent
excavation. Ga digging. they soon saw
through the lOosened earth an old ragged
shawl, and within its folds lay the peace
lul form OF a dead infant. Some women
OF the most abandoned character have
been brought into new ite by the re-
spousbiiities OF motherhood. Wild beasts
will protect their young ill The last life
drop has flowed from their veins. o.
caSionally. in the Goc-.oIsaken alley OF
city, creature is found 80 devoid OF
molheriy instinct and so weighted by sin
that she will sliile an infant at lis birth
Bot what shall We say OF woman who.
in the Creators own home--the country
with all nature as teacher, and SUI
rounded 10y those potent Influences which
come so silently from tree, and brook,
and field. can deliberately take l9e lie o.
her own ollspring? Il is something. too,
below human comprehension, which
would so strengthen the young mother
that she could carry that silent form 10
the quiet OF n forest, and there lay il in
the damp, black mould OF a swamp.
To resume the narraliyo-Tbe child's
remains were eNhumed, and coroner's
Jury sat on them. Alter taking the iesii
mony OF numerous Witnesses, the jury
decided that the child came TO its death
by broken skull and dislocated neck.
This verdict lead TO the arrest OF Miss
4AOl . lL-buC NllAN lbONutA AAb
Mrs. James Libby, her sister. Wodnes-
day they were brought before Justices
Brown and Frye, and tried on the charge
OF murder. After the evidence was all
in. Miss Jennie was committed 20 iail fer
numbering her own child. and the other
woman was discharged.
Miss Morgan is a young woman, about
eighteen years OF age, OF not very nj
prepossesSing appearance. She denies
the charge OF killing the child, and says
that il It's neck was broken, il vas the
result OF fall which the body received
as she carried it out Tor burial. 10 cor
versation she remarked that most any
one would be hard character il brough;
up in surroundings such as hers had been.
And her chi!dhoods associations seem 10
have forced her on in lite OF shame and
criminaiity until she has at last lodged in
prison. Ii the girl had been left TO her
On = SAC "OAAn, l4 aAl RAOO1Clt
ity have cared for the infant. but. yield
ing to the advice OF ncarnate devils, she
buried il. Whether or not she killed the
child herself. remains to be proved. The
unfortunate and misguided GIL is still
entitled TO the sympathy OF the commuui-
ty. Her early teachings entitle her to
large share of Charity's robe, until it is
proved that she has done murder. Then
no circumstances nor sickly sentimenLality
should o5struct the wheels of Justices
car; but she should be made 10 feel the
magnitude of her crime, and her punish
men, should be signal warning 10 all
other evil doors 10 Oxford County.
Real Estate Transfers.
Emily B. Cutting to II. w. Cutting,
real estate in Andoyer John Beatlie TO