Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-06
THE VEST BowDo1N HORROR.
Further Pa rticuIars of the Crime-OpiE
TONS OF those la the NeighbOrh0Od.

tDns OF those the NtiSnDOfhOOu.
4 gentleman, who resides near the scene of tic
West Bowdon parricide Of Friday evening
makes the following statement TO the reporter o
the Lewiston Journal:
The excitement caused by this horrible crime in
our quiet community can hardly be appreciated
That it should have been perperated by a lac
whom all believed to be an excellent boy, only
increases the amaZement and horror. The boy II
well educ lted, and We called him forward and an
apt scholar. He was not large Of his age, and
was not regarded as rude boy. lie joined our
Free Baptist church three years ago, and re-
garded him as a model Christian boy u2i about
a year ago he got led back by other boys, just as
boys sometimes will, you know; but still we did
not call him bad boy, although in his church re-
lations he had fallen away. The boy was not in.
temperate vicious, but his chief fault was vio-
| lent temper, and along with 1t was the resolute
courage TO effect his object.
Elder Clement has been holding series of re-
| ligous meetings at our place, and some of ouI
boys in the back part Of the meeting house have
disturbed the meeting. Thursday evening Dea-
| con Cox led the meeting, and saw he was much
annoyed by the disturbance of the boys, although
he said nothing. Friday evening Deacon Cox
watched Isaac, (this boy and seeing that he was
with other boys, laughing, he went to him and
| asked him to come forward The incidents fol-
lowing as you have already published them.
1t was about half mile from the church to the
Deacon's house. The boy could have been but a
few moments ahead of his father in getting home.
The boy on Sunday made to me the following
statement:-
II AN MAD"
81 was mad when my father corrected me be-
fore the people and in the entry, but when | went
home | had 10 intention of killing him or taking
the gun, but when got most home knew father
would give me a severe threshing and thought
| would get the gun and scare him. l got the
trun nd mi anls fat |
it down by my hip, so (imitating the attitude) and
fired, and didn't take any aim. Father was here
and | was there (pointing to places about W feet
apart.
when the smoke cleared away saw father
stagger toward me.
Father, have shot you says |. Yes, you've
shot me in the breast. Help me into the house
| ran to him and he fell. lie spoke no more.
Mrs. CoX's STATEMENT.
Mrs Cox says / heard the report of gun and
said to my daughter, "Who can that he firing a
gun :" | went to the door and the first object
that attracted my attention WAS some one strug-
Cling and groaning on the ground hundred feet
or from the house. Isaac was crying, and
asked him, "What is the matter!' 1--WE shot
my lather," saws Isaac, bursting into tears.
rushed out to Mr.. Cox, who was struggling as
if trying TO get into the house. He couldn
speak. ''What did you do it for" | asked.
"IempCr, replies the boy, and that was all he
could say.
got my husbands head in my lap, 1t twas an
awful sight. Oh | can't get him out Of my eyes
his struggles, hi, bloody face and neck, and in
4 few moments he brcathed his last in my arms.
OTHER INCIDENTS.
Deacon Cox was most respected citizen. His
widow is his third wife, and Isaac is his youngest
child. lie was pretty stern with his children, but
don't think that he often punished the boy, but
when he said he would punish he always did.
1t seems that the Deacon had on his arm when
be was shot, Isaacs coat, out of which Isaac
slipped when he escaped from his father in the
porch OF the church. The boys coat on the Dea-
cons arm was rddled with shot
Immediately after the Deacon expired, Isaac
ran for help and told the neighbors Of his crime.
speedily crowd gathered at the Deacons house
among whom the boy freely mingled. He ap-
scared quite calm, especially to strangers. lie
not arrested until Sunday, and was allowed
to attend the funeral in charge of Deputy Sheriff
Leonard who arrested him. At the funeral visi-
tors wondered at the lads GOODNESS and apparent
hardness but his friends say that in private be
could not talk about his crime without breaking
down.
didn't you have any idea that the law would
take hold Of you for such crime T. one gentle
man asked Lin.
mo, didn't think anything about that.
to scare father. If he had only lived until | got
ms forgiveness, should feel better about it,"
lie repeats substantially the same statement to
all with whom he converes.
You did not think to run away, did you :;
mo, didn't think Of that" was his reply.
The opinion in the vicinity is Of course divided,
but our Informant says that some are of the opin-
heat of temper binding him 10 all consequences.
@ hers think that the lad hardly knew what he
Was tout and he was bent only on soaring his
| father and lettering him from punishment.