Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-19

The Belgrade tragedy caused great excitement
in the city on Saturday, AM was the subject of
general conversation.
1t is said that Savage and his wife were seem
ingly religious "by SPELLS" and attended the
meetings of the "Buzzleites," quite often. Tie
drinking habits Of both are nothing new but they
have been tampering a long while with the de-
stroyer until they found themselves securely in
his grasp As far back twenty years ago it was
a well known fact that Savage and his wife quar-
relied. Persons passing by the domicile at ten
o'clock at night could hear the sounds of turmoil
within, indicating domestic nielicity of the most
demonst rative kind. Indeed, family row at the
Savage homestead WAS thing often expected
and so frequently realized, that it was taken a
matter Of course, and did not awaken any I'M
usual excitement or interest in the neighborhood
But for that reason, the neighbors would have in
terposed on the fatal night in question.
Drinking proclvities seem to IN the family. A
terrible aud fatal accident occurred to the only
vving son of this unfortunate and unhappy couple
-Four years ago last Fourth OF July night, a little
past midnight, while the son was on a drunken
spree, he drove his team off Belgrade bridge into
the stream, and driver and horse drowned.
The young man was about twenty-five years of
| age.
The house in which the tragedy was enacted is
a small one-story building. standing by the road
side, unpsinted. 1t is about one and half miles
north OF the depa, towards Belgrade bill. 1t is in
| the midst of thriving community, and near it
are some of the best farms in the county. The
| farm is a small one of some thirty forty acres
with beautiful young orchard near the house.
Besides farming on a small scale Savage followed
| shoemaking somewhat, being a country cobbler
lie was always Ieckoned as an industrious man.
and his wife was a hard working woman.
Those who know Savage best say they never
regarded him as dangerous man, drunk or sober.
On the contrary, he was not hard hearted man,
but naturally inoffcnsive and harmless; when 10
liquor never appeared pugistic, but silly. But,
it is plainly evident that himself and wife did not
well agree.
On Saturday forenoon the funeral of the muir
dered woman took place at the house in Belgi ade
The people came from all quarters, crowding the
house and door-yard. many doubtless drawn to
the spot by morbid desire to look upon asperson
who had been murdered Kind neishbor, and
friends had done all in their power to arrange mat
| L,
James Savage was permitted to be present to at
tend the funeral of his murdered wife, The fun
eral services were conducted by Elder l. n. Bates
of West Watervilie the minister who had per-
| formed similar service when the son met violent
death. His task was rather severe one, bat he
| spoke impressively of the lessons taught by the
| event, and briefly commended to his hearers way
of living that would IL ad away from that course
of life which had Eliminated in the sad event
which had called them together on that lay Mr.
Savage's feelings seemed moved most deeply
throughout the entire services; he wept profuse-
| ly; and at the close bestowed atfectionate kisses
| upon the form of her whom he had sworn to pro
tect and love, now lying before him in death,
bruised and mangled by his own hands. If the
fountains Of grief were ever to be un.topped
that would seem to be the proper occasion.
After the funeral, Savage WAS brought to this
city. IN custody of Constable Leauder Yeaton.
There was no necessity for using any irons, and
he made no attempt to escape on the journey.
Since the awful deed, he has been extremely ret-
cent, being very careful not to talk about 1t, and
apparently having desire to do so. As be came
into the city, in company with Mr.. Yeaton, a
crowd followed the carriage to the jail. MANY in.
|
the preliminary examination would be held and
the sight of the culprt had the effect to congre-
gate large number of people.
| Savage reached the Jail about haf-pa.t four
| o'clock, aud was Immediately taken into the Jail
office. He had on u thick, grey overcoat. and was
quite neatly, though plainly clad. lie is nearly,
If not quite six feet in height, Of slight build long
lmbed, angular. awkward and loose jonted-
built up, as one expressed it, Sin Clubhouse fash
on." dmnuive head is surmounled with thin
black HAIR; small bald place has begun to APP
pear on the back of the head. His eyes small,
features sharp, and his face, not al all progresses
ing in its appearance, has several scratches as evil
dences of the recent fatal onfiict.
| lie requested that Z. F. Pillsbury Esq, be sent
for and his services secured as his counsel. Mr..
Pllsbury soon appeared, and after brief consulta-
ton, Savage was arragned before Judge True.
| The warrant read, reciting the crime, and
charging him with the wilful and malicious muir
der of Mrs Savage, his wife, perpetrated with
malice sforethought To this he plead "Not
Guilty" His counsel waived Examination and
the Judge ordered the prisoner to be committed
to Jail to await trial at the March term of the Su
preme Judicial Court, to be held in this city on
the first Tuesday of March next Savage had
just seen the grave close overthe form Of his muir
dered wife, and the prison doors stand be-
tween him and freedom, until jury of his coun-
| trymcn shall decide upon his case. Until then,
the scenes in the tragedy have closed.
| Readings at Granite Hall.
| Our citizens are to be treated this week to a
series of readings and recitals by Miss S. Emma
Cowell of New York Miss c. is said by critics to
be highly dramatic, possessing culture and good
taste in her reading to very h Ugh degree. With
| the high authority by which she is recommended
and introduced to US, and the latteiing notices of
| the press that everywhere appear, Miss Cowel
viii be greeted with house full to OVERLOOKING.
| Tickets and reserved seats for sale this morning
at Eastern Express Office.
| An Important Case.
Quite an important was tried at Rockpor,
last week, before board of referees consisting of
| Associate Justices, Virgin and Peters, and Rail
| road Commiss Toner, John F. Anderson.