Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-05-13

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in the same pacc-on the left side Of the head,
over the eye, aud near the ear
! The mother, Selling her babe, escaped to the
/ neighbors, uttering wild and piercing cries. The
oldest boy followed his mother, aud escaped death,
/ as it evidently was the murderer's intention to
wipe out the entire family. The neighbors were
not much surprised at the terrible revelation;
they had been expecting something awfIl. Serb
ner had threatened often to burn then houses aud
murder them and he WAS a terror to the Oh
| borhood.
Sciibner did not pursue his WIFE, but dropping
I his instrument of death, rushed out at the back
door, down into the field at the wes', was seen to
take something from his pocket, put to his throat
and then drop. 1t found on coming up TO
him that he had attempted to take his life by cut
ting his throat " it'll razJr. He failed to accom-
pi.h his object and will live, though it is much to
be regretted. He made a cash five inches in
length, each side OF the throat, cutting into the
wlndppe, but 50 as not to sever toe carotid srte-
~. 1t seems he had carried the razor about for
some time, and had threatened To axe his life.
! Harvey Leighton and wife were the first to en-
ter the house after the bloody tragedy. Assisted
| by Mr.. Geo. Woods and Mr.. A. Coombs they ten
! derry raised little Earnest and Maud from the
floor and kindly cared for them. Drs Brckett
and Bolan were summoned. The tragedy occur
red at o'clock, and the physicians were there
about half an hour afterwards. Maud's skull
fairly crushed in. She was moaning considerably
when picked up, but soon became insensbe, and
lis little life passed away, in about an hour and
half after the fearful blow was received. The
nffl, 1at, a..
beuch improyised in the sink room, while upon
the bed in the adjoining bed room was the dying
Ernest, who was expected to live but few hours
lie was unconscious, and his head was swollen
featfuly. Earnest was living at nine o'clock last
evening, but he was groaning with spasms, and
the physician thought he would soon die
Maud beautiful, cunning chllt,
pump and rosy checked, with flowing light hair,
| and pretty blue eyes. We asked, we locked in
to the marble face, fair even in death, though
cred with the marks Of violence, how could the
hand that petted this child in the morning strike
down this lovely creature in death before sunset
Ernest was bright little boy with dark auburn
hair.
The pretty little baby, who had it lived until
yesterday would have been just year old, had
The sweet little child died at midnight on Satur-
day. The remains were taken yesterday to the
deserted home, and lain by the side of the other
little sleeper. When the elder brother came
home and looked upon the scene, his agony knew
/ no bounds. The scene wa truly heart-lending.
When found 10 the field by the men, Jason tod
George, his brother that he had just killed three
OF hs children; he was sorry, he SAID, but they
had been picking on him for some time. He
cad he had no friends here, and wanted to 20 to
hi heavenly Father. When brought into the
house, Que of the neighbors said to him: "Jsse
what does THIS mean? What did you do this for :"
God only knows" he replied "have killed
my children lie was told that Maud was dead
80, God! Q, God" he exclaimed "do you
suppose God will ever forgive me: = Scrbners
wounds were dressed, and at about five O'Clock
Cry Marshal Shaw arrived, and took HIM to the
city, where he WAS lodged in kennebec jail.
Mrs Scrbner is lady OF about IS years, medi-
um 5 re, black hair, sharp black eyes care
worn expression Of face, apparently hard work
ing woman. She has seen better DAYS. The
nelghbors remember when she Lady fair to
look upon She has been obliged TO work 10
the factory, and has borne very many heavy
burdens for the sake of her children.
She tells pieous story of wrongs and
crueltes she has suffered at the hands of her
husband. She asserts that he is net crazy but
ugly, aud the circumstances to bear out the
assertion. Six weeks at time she and her chill
dren have lived on dry bread and water Serb
| ner has often gone down to his mothers, who has
fed him. when his wife aud children had nothing
to eat in the housa, and he knew it. Mrs Serb
ner had to resort to almost every expedient to get
something to eat lie has done scarcely any work
for two years. From last August until March he
brought but S37 worth of provisions into the
house. Ms. Scrbner says she has made every
concession for the sake of keeping the peace or
else he would tear the house down over her head
He would smash out the glass or break the mirror
in his angry demonstrations. After DESTROYING
something of that kind, ard splitting out hi, spite
he would calm down. and apparently be satisfied.
Often she and her children have gone to bed
supper less, and got up IN the morning knowing
there was nothing for breakfast. When she wa,
sick he would Cd d--n her untl she got into
the kitchen at work In the mid st of his uginess
he would attend prayer NEE tipgs at the school
house. He rose for prayers several times and
would repeat prayer he committed to memory
out of book. lie has made some threats
short time since, he SAID, "lf I've got
to murder, I'll murder!" at the same time grasp.
ing box and throwing it with great force against
the north window, sma hing glass and
frame. That was said to hi. wife one
Sunday night several weeks ago. But
his wife never supposed there was
murder in his heart. Two weeks ago, he weat
to his brothers and raped on the door and
came home and told his wife that it was a warn
ing. Thursday night, while in bed, he dealt his
wife heavy blow in the side, and commenced to
choke her, but she resisted. Tue night before
the murder, at the request of Mrs. Scribner, Mr..
A. w. Knowles stopped with Scibner Mr..
Knowles said he talked nationally, and appeared
to be perfectly natural, without my evidence Of
insanity.
By some it is thought that Scribncr has been in
sane at spells for the past two years. Some five
years ago, while recovering irom dIunkt
spree, he accidentally caused the death of one Of
blS irpn hx roll D,a ha h,o lad