Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-07
The Discovery Of the Murdered Man.


ing testimony.
The body of the murdered man was taken
home for burial
The city marshal is doing al he can to get
track Of the man who drove Elliot's team to
the depot after committing the murder.
The following are additional particulars of
the horribly crime
1t seems that Mr.. William Graffam who
lives on that road, was returning from this
city with friend, in his team, when near the
ice house, just above what has been known as
the Stctson Mill, now run by Mr.. a. F. Mer-
rll, they noticed man lying on the side of
the road, as they supposed intoxicated.
Thinking it would be inhuman to leave him
there. they drove up to the next house to get
assistance and returned to the place. What
was their horror to find the man weltering in
his blood with his head horribly manglcd and
! life apparently extinct
Terribly shocked by the discovery Mr..
GRAHAM drove with all speed to the city and
notified the police as before mentioned.
The officers found the body lying just out
side the track of the road at right angles with
it, his feet toward the road, partially rolled in
a horse blanket. His hat was off and living
on the snow and there were marks in the
snow that indicated that he had first fallen
then staggered aud dropped again where he
was found.
A slight moaning indicated that life wa.
not entirely extinct and they placed the body
in the pung and returned as rapidly as posi-
Bile to the city, sending in advance for surgi-
cal assistance.
On arriving at the police station the body
was laid on pillows on the floor and an exam
ination was at once made by Doctors Sanger
and Young. They discovered Immediately
that the unfortunate victim of the diabolical
crime was beyond all human aid, as his head
was literally smashed in several places by
blows from the axe.
There was one frightful blow on the upper
left side of the head behind, where the skull
was completely smashed in as with the poll
of the axe. On the right side of the fore
head near the hair was gaping wound where
the sharp edge of the axe cut through the
skull On the upper portion of the right side
of the head behind was another fearful blow
from the poll of the axe, and on the right
side above the temple, the head was fiattened
as if from terrific blow with the fiat side of
the axe.
An effort was made to administer stmulant
in the bare hope that consciousness might
utes before midnight the last spark of vitality
fed.
The murdered man was identified by his
pocket memorandum book as VIM. b. Elliot
| of Glcnburn, known as a constable of that
town and as having been collector of taxes
He was coarscly clad, with two coats outside
a blue jeans frock; had white WOODEN mittcns
on his hands, a wooden scarf around his neck
and moccasins on his feet.
A diary pocket book which had been in use
for some time was found in his pocket, con-
tanning notes and due bills amounting to sew
eral hundred dollars, a receipt from the town
treasurer for taxes collected in 1871, and six-
teen three cent postage stamps, but no mon
/ y
sled, being the only money found after the
murder.
The man who left the team at the depot
passed Mr.. Colson so quickly that he is not
able to give Il minute description of him, al
though he thinks he could identify him if he
should see him again. As near rs he can de-
scribe the man he was about five feet five
inches high, with dark whiskers and complex
ion, having on IA long dark coat and dark
cloth cap.
Marshal Reed at once telegraphod to all
stations that could be reached on the Maine
Central and despatched officers to try to find
further trace Of the murderer.
Before Mr.. Elliot died officer Nickcrson
accompanied by the local editor of the Wing
started in IA double team driven by Mr.. Dan
iel Clark, to apprise the family of the victim
in Glcnburn, and to gain all possible inform
alton that would tend to throw light on the
awful deed.
On the way out they called at Mr.. Mcrrill's
who informed them that Elliot had come
there from Bangor last evening and bought
two bags Of meal and left about half past
seven.
Mr.. Merrills son said that when Elliot
drove up he had young man, apparently
about eighteen years old, with him on the
sled, and that they rode away together
Young Merrill did not know Elliot's compan
ion, and only remember that he had on dark
clothes.
Driving on, the officers and reporter ar
rived at the home of the murdered man about
100 A. NJ, having first aroused a neighbor Il
go with them. The wife was not at once in
formed of the murder, but given to under
stand that her husband had been severely in
jured. She was, of course, much agitated by
the information, and at once prepared to come
to the city to attend him.
From Mrs. Elliot it was learned that hel
husband was SO years old, and that they ha,
been married eleven years. They have NJ
children, but ut the present time a young wo
man pnmad Annin Scripfuro Of I'm p,