Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-02-03

found. One contained 500 worth of revenue
stamps, another S3j in bills another SIS, and
still another $50. Strange as it may seem,
not single dollar was missing and none of
the papers had been disturbed.
The gag was not at all such one as pro-
tcssional thief would think for a moment of
using, it did not at all hinder respiration,
or prevent the victim from making an cutlery
The cord around Barron's neck was very
clumsily contriyed, and hung loosely about
his shoulders, while the cord by which the
gag, the wooden handle from the bale of a
water pail, was secured, proved nothing but
piece of common Irvine in three strands
Mr.. Parsons, the insurance agent, who last
saw Mr.. Barron alive, states that there was
plenty of that kind of Irvine to be found in a
pile of rubbish in rear room.
The cord found round Barrons neck, and
with which he was supposed to have been
choked, could have been picked up in the
bank
To dispcl forever the theory that the thief
or thieves left the building from the roof or
by the window found open in the rear room,
the fact is cited that there was snow on the
ground at the time, and no traces or foot
prints were anywhere discovered.
The bank officers, for these reasons, con-
clnded Mr.. Barron killed himself, and set to
work with renewed energy, Barrons accounts
being 81, 900 short seeming to provide sub
stantal basis upon which to establish the
theory of suicide
The president recalled Mr.. Barron's nerv-.
Gus manner over threatened run and his
own suspicion Immediately on hearing of the
robbery that it was case of suicide.
At 4.40 Z. NJ. of the day of the robbery.
Mr.. Parsons left the bank and went home.
leaving Mr.. Barron sitting on a stool. Mr.
Parsons informed the officer that he had had
several conversations with Barron, in the
course of which Barron several times made
use of the words. Il wish was on the other
side. think that almost any change would
be an improvement"
He also spoke of a change in business. al
leging that the business cares of the bank
worried him very much, and if he could es-
cape all these and settle down quietly on IL
farm, it would suit him much better.
Mr.. Parsons says Barron was in the habit
of putting his books away and making up his
cash accounts about four o'clock in the after
noon, and i. is somewhat remarkable that, at.
eight o'clock, when discovered, his books
were lying around as if recently used.
He had also stated to Parsons that he hal
been obliged to borrow $3.50 that morning
from the town collector to close up an ac-
count with lady depositor.
1t has been ascertained that Mr.. Barron
had a quantity of drugs in his possession at
the time of this affair and that at the top of
the bank building little room was fitted up
in which he was in the habit of compromising
medicines for one DR.. Fitzgerald, clairvoy-
ant physician residing in Dexter. His death
is alleged to have been such death as some
eight or ten grains of morphine would have
caused.
The doctors also agree that so far as the
theory of sutfocation is concerned, there
would have been no trouble. even with the
gag in his mouth in living in the vault at
least twenty-four hours, with no perceptible
injury.
In making an examination of the inside of
the vault, Detective Dearborn discovered on
the top of the safe Il screw driver and an old
kerosene lamp, which were SO said the pres
cnt cashier found in the vault on top of the
safe after the discovery of Mr.. Barron.
Cashier Hamilton said further, that Mr.
screw driver in removing locks, preparatory
to oiling them.
The finding of the lamp and screw driver
proved the key to the mystery. Upon learn
ing this it occurred to the officers that Barron
might have locked himself in the vault, and,
acting upon this idea, they proceeded to ex-
pertinent, with the assistance Of Cashier
Hamilton
After one days experimenting the officers
demonstrated that Barron could have locked
the inside door of the vault from within. 1t
was then very easy matter to eXtnguish
the light and place the lamp and screw driver
where they were found-on the top of a small
inner safe. Next in order, probably, came
the swallowing of the poison and the adjust
ment of rope and gag. To place the man
acles upon his wrists was IA comparatively
easy task. Everything being then ready, all
that remained was to lie down upon the floor
in the position found.
After making this, to them, important dis
covery, the president, cashier and board of
directors assembled at the bank, where Mr.
Dearborn went through the entire operation,
as described, in just four and one-half min
utcs.
An attempt was made to trace the hand
cuffs. and it was learned that some six weeks
or two monts prior to the 22d of February
last, the date of the alleged tragedy, an init
mate friend of Mr.. Barron, a police officer,
was in the Dexter savings bank consulting
Mr.. Barron on matter of private business.
incidentally, the conversation turned upon
the subject of bank burglaries and the meth
cd in which they were performed. These in