Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-05-22
\ Remarkable Case.

The Boston Advertiser publishes the fol-
lowing account of an affair similar to the Po-
casset horror, which happened in this vicinity
more than half a century ago. The facts
were furnished by the venerable Judge
Sprague, now cighty-six years of age, and
formerly of this State:
In 1915, at Augusta, Maine, | became ac-
quainted with james McCausland, who then
was, and had been for several years, pris-
oner in the common Jail at that place. He
WAS confined as an insane person, and was. in
fact. "A monomaniac on the subject of religion.
| was informed that before his imprisonment
he lived in Pittston, Il town on the kennebec
river, opposite the town of Gardiner; that he
was II common laborer, quite ignorant and
unable to read or write. There was in Gard-
ner an Episcopal church which he sometimes
attended. but his religious excitement was
occasioned by hearing an itincrant preacher.
He told me himself that it became imprc ssed
on his mind that he must make burnt offer
ing sacrifice, but he didn't know how to do it,
and was much troubled. AT length It occur
red to him that it would be best to burn the
church at Gardiner. and kill a certain woman
who was living in a small house on the bank
of the Cobbossecont, a few miles above Gard-
ner village; but he was still doubtful That
in this unsettled state of mind he went alone
at midnight into the church, and while there,
thinking on the subject, he heard voice from
heaven saying, 'Ioung man, push on; :" that
this meant that he should go forward and do
what he was then contemplating ,-that is,
burn the church and kill the woman.
This removed all doubt; then he knew what
he must do. He thought he would save the
''holy things" as he called them,-that is
the Bible, prayer-book and pulpit cushions
He accordingly carried them a short distance
and hid them under the roots of a tree which
had been blown down. lie then went and got
some live Goals. carried them in shoe to the
church, set it on fire and it was wholly CON
sumed. He said the next day there was a
great talk about il and another man was ac-
cused, hut he went forward and told the peo-
pie that that man had nothing to do with il 4;
that he set fire to the church himself, and to
convince them of it he carried some of them
to the place and showed them the holy things
which he had saved. The burnt offering was
then complete and it only remained to make
the sacrifice. For that purpose he got into Il
canoe In the nighttime, showed it up the
stream till he came opposite where the woman
lived, there landed and went to the house.
On entering he found two men asleep on the
floor; he steI ped over them and saw the wo-
man sitting by the side of a bed on which
there was sick person, and, at the same
time, by the light of the fire he saw Il butch
er-knife sticking ia beam overhead and he
knew that the Lord had prepared that knife
for his purpose. He took it, went to the wO-
man, seized her by the hair and cut her throat
that he then left the house without being
obstructed, got into his canoe and went home
The next day great crowd came after him,
armed, as II they expected a violent resist
ance, but he had no such idea. He submitted
quietly and they carried him to Jail
was told by Others that when he was ar
raigncd in court upon an indictment for muir
der. he said he killed the woman. Chief
Justice Parsons told him that he was under
no obligation to confess his guilt and had a
right to require the Commonwealth to prove
it. He answered that he killed the woman
and he shouldn't lie about it. The Jury upon
his trial returned verdict of guilty, but he
was never sentenced. On the calendar of
prisoners was an entry, "James McCausland,
convict of murder" and under this record he
was held in prison until his DEATH more than
thirty years, | believe. / conversed with
him several times, and he always told the
same story. lie answed all questions readi-
ly. and without excitement. asked him
II he was not sorry he had killed that wo-
man He said, no; he was commanded to do
il, and his sins were forgiven. | asked him
if he would do the same again if he were out
of Jail! He said no; he should nave no oc-
casion. ] said, "but suppose that you should
receive another similar command, would you
obey itT" He answered: ''Oh, shouldn't